The Cannonball Run
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Movie Reviews of The Cannonball Run
Movie Review: The Pinnacle of American Cinema in the 20th Century
Summary: 5 Stars
Citizen Kane, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Annie Hall, Convoy, these film's names are often bandied about whenever a serious discussion of the greatest American films ensues. However there is one that stands, head and shoulders, above the rest. Literally dwarfing the competition. The Cannonball Run is that behemoth. Never before had such an amazing array of talent been assembled for one film. We are treated to the combined acting prowess of Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, Dom DeLuise, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Terry Bradshaw, Jackie Chan, Bert Convy, Jamie Farr (as the sheik!), Peter Fonda, Bianca Jagger, Jimmy The Greek, Mel Tilis, and the one, the only Mr. Burt Reynolds as the indomitable J.J. McClure. This film tells the story of an illegal, cross-country car race that attracts an assortment of eccentric entrants (above listed actors) who will stop at nothing to win. Ultimately however, it is a tale of the triumph of the human spirit over insurmountable odds, the EPA (in the form of Arthur J. Foyt) and the Police. Not mention being one hell of a vehicle for Burt Reynolds' ego, as most of his pictures were. We get to see him degrade Dom DeLuise thoroughly, not only during the movie, but also during the credits as they roll outtakes of Burt literally beating the hell out of the lovable oaf he used as his sidekick for so many years. This movie reflects a time and an innocence long gone in America. Filmed in 1981 it is still very much of the free-spirited, sex and drug fueled 70s that had yet to dissipate during the Reagan "Just Say No" 80s. Most obviously evidenced by the passionate way these drivers embraced Recreational Drunk Driving (most noticeably the two duos of Dean and Sammy and Bradshaw - Tilis), it is a quality I find sorely lacking in today's Cinema. The film was made before the term Politically Correct had been coined. It treats Authority, Women and Minorities with equal disrespect. In fact it seems to revel in irreverence, and cheap stereotypes abound. We've got the Jamie Farr Sheik, The Tilis/Bradshaw Rednecks, Rick Aviles as Mad Dog; The Cannonball Run did not hesitate to offend anyone. The only rule it seems the producers laid down was that they couldn't make Burt look bad. So long as it served Reynolds' ego, go for it. And go for it they did. It's only too bad that we'll never see another classic like this again.Movie Review: Hilarious cross country fun!
Summary: 5 Stars
A classic 80's comedy with big name stars and lots of cool cars! This is the type of movie that shouldn't be critiqued and nitpicked, a flick where a person should shut their brain off for an hour and a half and enjoy! Based on a true race event, Burt Reynolds leads the all-star cast in the ultimate racing event, The Cannonball Run! A bunch of people in souped up cars, some disgused, some not, vow for the title of WINNER in the race, and they will do anything to get it! Reynolds plays J.J. McClure, who, with his trusty sidekick Victor (Dom DeLuise), disguise their vehicle as an ambulance, thinking that cops would never pull a car like that over. Along the way, they pick up a freaky doctor (Jack Elam), and a female patient named Pamela (Farrah Fawcett). Others stand in their way, such as two female hotties (Adrienne Barbeau, Tara Buckman) in a black Lamborghini, Jackie Chan playing himself in a souped up Subaru, Roger Moore playing a man who thinks he is Roger Moore in an Aston Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin playing two fake, drunk priests in a Ferrari, Mel Tillis and Terry Bradshaw as two hicks who take 5 caseloads of beer and one bag of chips for the race, Burt Convy playing a wall street stuntman who races with his motorcycle on one wheel the whole time and Jamie Farr as an Arab Sheik vowing to win the race for the Nation of Islam!
The action and comedy are great, Dino and Sammy really ham it up as the two fake priests and I also think the two females in the Lambo who unzip there suits everytime a cop shows up is also great comedy. The title song is also a great one, it's fast and catchy, it definitely stays with you after seeing the movie. There are a lot of in-jokes throughout the movie so be sure to pay attention to what they are saying, or you'll miss them. Followed by "Cannonball Run II" in 1984 and an unofficial sequel titled "Speed Zone!" in 1989.
Movie Review: They defnitly dont make em like this anymore!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Growing up watching two of Hal Needems best movies "Cannonball 1 & 2" and "smokey and the bandit 1, 2, 3" Ive mayured into realising that they just dont make them like this anymore! As said during the commentary, the script was no "gone with the wind" but who cares? These movies are for fun. And its great to see so many actors get together and have a great time making this fun, funny, action, car race accross the USA from sea to shining sea!With such a great cast, its somthign you dont see too often with the amount of actors that where put into this movie! Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Farrah Fawcett, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr, Roger Moore, and so many other great cameos and actors in this film! Including the introduction role to introduce Jackie Chan into the American market! This was Jackies first English speaking movie!
This whacky car race accross the states, involves some of the best stunts caught on film! Hal Needham sure knew what he was doing when he put this classic together!
Unfortunalty it dosent come with much of a bonus feature selection, theres an Audio Commetry with a couple of insighfull things about the movie. And the usual cast and bio thing. But it would have been great to see deleted scenes, but they probably dont exsist anymore? but that dosent drag this great fun for all action ride!
I recomend you buy it with Cannonball 2. As I think Cannonball 2 is one of the rare seaqulls that was just as great as the original! And if they ever release Speed Zone (known as Cannonball Fever in other places) I'd recomedn getting that one too!
If you like whacky ,over the top, crazy, action, comedys with alot of great stunts with vehicles, then this is the top of the list for anyones collection!
Movie Review: From a long time Cannonball fan...
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this movie 17 years ago, when I broke my leg and someone was kind enough to tape some movies off HBO for me to enjoy. Since then, I have seen this film countless times. So, when I realized that the VHS copy just wasn't going to last much longer, I knew it was time to grab it on DVD. There's lots of little things to watch for in this movie. When J.J. asks the Missouri police officer if they take the law seriously in this town, and the officer points to the banner that says "Re-elect Sean 'Kill-A-Commie' O'Scanlon", be sure to pause it and read the rest of the banner. Priceless.
Another DVD feature I found entertaining was listening to the commentary soundtrack. Usually, I find little interest in this feature. But here, you get a great behind-the-scenes look at how much fun they had making this movie.
For this price, you won't be disappointed...
Movie Review: Wins with laughs
Summary: 5 Stars
The best comedic car race movie ever; even when you consider some action scenes from Driven and Days of Thunder.First watching this movie, you know your in for a treat as almost every actor and actress of the all-star acting cast allowed themselves to conduct parodies of their best movie roles. Burt Reynolds played a character very similar to has acclaimed role in Smokey and the Bandit. Roger Moore, best known for being 007 and The Saint, used his debonair qualities to create a hillarious series of self-humilating scenes having fun with the staples of his career.
Although other great talents have also thrown themselves behind The Cannonball Run. Farrah Fawcett, a drop-dead funny two-thirds of the "Rat Pack" with Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin as well as a younger Jackie Chan driving a Japan entry to the race.
Start your engines for of race of humor.