Cannonball

David Carradine takes part in an illegal anything goes cross-country race from California to New York. Paul Bartel's second attempt at the race movie, while good isn't as fun as his previous "Death Race 2000". It's still fun in parts, but lacks the pacing and memorable characters (except for Carradine and the always watchable Dick Miller)

My Grade: C+

DVD Extras: Interviews with David Carradine, Mary Woronov, and Roger Corman; Poster and Stills gallery; 3 TV spots; and Theatrical Trailer

1 Easter Egg: Highlight a hidden car in the Extras menu for a Carquake/ the giant spider invasion combo trailer

Rev up your engines and buckle up for Cannonball-a turbo-charged, fire-spewing spectacle of car carnage from the glorious pre-CGI era. Yes, folks, back when stuntmen didn't just risk their careers, they risked their limbs-and possibly their mortgages-for your entertainment. Respect where it's due, because these crashes are gloriously real and undeniably explosive. Michael Bay, take notes.

Plot-wise, it's not half bad, though its structure feels like a road map where someone spilled coffee. The story zigzags from thrilling to, "Wait, what now?" faster than a careening Dodge Charger. Spot a young Sylvester Stallone in a blink-and-you-miss-it role-before he found the Eye of the Tiger and became, well, Rocky.

The direction, while above average, sometimes stalls in key scenes that should be burning rubber. Martial arts moments? Think less Bruce Lee, more "dad at a wedding trying to breakdance." Comedy? More of a sputter than a roar. And some of the acting-wooden enough to double as set pieces.

Still, if you love your thrillers messy, chaotic, and unapologetically gritty, Cannonball delivers enough fumes and flames to keep gearheads grinning. It's no Bullitt, but it's also no Speed 2: Cruise Control. And for that, we're grateful.

During the 70s/80s, many films were made that revolved around a coast-to-coast road-race across the USA ("Cannonball Run" and "The Gumball Rally" for example). This is another one of those films, an illegal road-race from LA to New York City. While other similar films took a more light-hearted and comedic approach, "Cannonball" has more action and drama than comedy, and it's hard to say if it was done on purpose or not. First off, the pacing in the movie is better than the other road-race movies I've seen. While "Cannonball Run" took 40 minutes until the race actually begun (most of which was useless to the plot and was just a way to squeeze in some hit-or-miss jokes), "Cannonball"'s race begins within the first 15 minutes, and by then we already know enough about the main cast, and more details about their characters are shown on the way to New York. The action in the movie is really good, and while the comedy aspect is only there every 3+ minutes, most of the jokes are a bit funny. It also has a much darker tone than the usual standards for this movie sub-genre, and features a lot of violence, death, and explosions. So, if your looking forward to a funny comedy, this movie doesn't have much, But if you're looking forward to an action-packed racing drama, then I would recommend it. Combined with some good acting, you get a good movie. 7/10.

'Cannonball' is one of the least remembered of the short-lived but successful 1970s car race/car crash genre begun by 'The Gumball Rally'. What really makes this one stand out is that it was directed by the late Paul Bartel (in between his immortal black comedy classics 'Death Race 2000' and 'Eating Raoul'), and features an impressive supporting cast of cult actors and Bartel buddies. 'Death Race 2000's David Carradine once again stars, this time as "Cannonball" Buckman, an ex-con who desperately wants to win the illegal Trans American road race. His older brother Benny (the legendary Dick Miller) gets him set up with a car, and bets enormous sums of money on him, mainly with the eccentric but ruthless bookie and amateur songwriter Lester Marks (played by Bartel himself). If Cannonball loses Benny will enter into a world of pain, so Benny tries any and every trick he can think of to ensure Cannonball's competitors lose. Cannonball's main competition is the borderline psychotic Redman ('Deliverance's Bill McKinney), but the race also includes Cannonball's sidekick Zippo (Archie Hahn), his parole officer girlfriend (Veronica Hammel), a bus full of babes led by frequent Bartel co-star Mary Woronov, an aspiring country singer (Gerrit Graham), and surfer types Robert Carradine and Belinda Balaski. 1970s exploitation fans will recognize these actors, and several others that make appearances throughout this stupid but fun movie, and buffs will also spot various film makers in cameos including Roger Corman, Martin Scorsese and Joe Dante. The whole thing is very incestuous and self-indulgent, but the cast looks like they're having a lot of fun. Maybe not as much as the viewer will, but it's still an entertaining ride if you kick back and have a beer or two when watching it.

The story of "Cannonball" is about an illegal coast-to-coast car race in the USA. Of course, also some saboteurs are on the road to guarantee a not smoothly course of events...

Obviously not as great as Paul Bartel´s predecessor "Death Race 2000" "Cannonball" is a trash classic and cheese de luxe: cheesy acting, cheesy stunts, cheesy humour, cheesy dialogues... take a lot of car chases, explosions and add some campy humour and you´ve got "Cannonball"! But it´s always great fun to watch! A highly entertaining C-grade movie which is also very interesting for the prominent supporting cast, because Roger Corman, Martin Scorcese, Jonathan Kaplan, Joe Dante or Sly Stallone have small roles in this funny gem!

Fasten your seat belts and enjoy!!!