We "Drift" with The Fast & the Furious

The folks at the Universal Theme Parks' studio tour in Los Angeles invited TeenHollywood to check out their recently updated studio tour including the just-opened The Fast and the Furious: Extreme Close-Up attraction based on the action in the new "Tokyo Drift" film.

We gathered with other press members at Universal Studios and piled onto trams. After watching a funny video introduction to the new attractions by "virtual tour guide" Whoopie Goldberg, we were off, passing by several sets and "shows" including the new King Kong lagoon and a line of movie cars, including the DeLorean from the 1980's hit Back to the Future and some of the actual "Fast and Furious" cars! We also were treated to a surprise demo of some drifting (as cars race forward then turn and slide like in the film).

On to the first part of the new attraction where we spot two drift cars sitting quietly in a colorful garage set that is copied from the film. Suddenly there is steam and a huge, fiery explosion and the cars are hurled right at us!

Just when we think that we'll be run down by the careening autos, the smoke clears and we see that the cars are both mounted atop huge robotic arms! Whoa, that was cool but these cute autos aren't finished yet.

Hip hop music pumps through the speakers and the two cars start "dancing". I'm not kidding. The cars really bust some choreographed moves before they retract back to sit quietly again awaiting their next tour "victims". Fun!

On to another area where the stunt section of the new "Extreme Close-Up" attraction will take place. Cute and popular NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson (winner of the Daytona 500) was there to wave the "go" green flag that launched a stunt in which two drift racers rush at each other and avoid collision at the last second with some impressive drift moves. Whoa, what's that? An orange racer is coming full tilt toward the other cars and.. jumps over them!

Okay, I'm impressed. After a word or two from Jimmie, we're off to a gala Japanese-themed buffet while we watch clips from the "Tokyo Drift" film on several flat screen TVs. Awesome.

If you and your family are in L.A. this summer, be sure to get to the Universal Studios tour and check out this crowd-pleasing new show!

Just remember to duck when those hot cars start comin' atcha!

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Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.