6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 3.9 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.4 |
A wild, illegal, and popular cross-country car race is organized, and the eccentric entrants will do anything to win, including low-down, dirty tricks.
Starring: Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, Dom DeLuise, Dean MartinComedy | 100% |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Why certain movies become smash hits at the box office while others die a horrible, embarrassing death is a show business mystery that will never be solved. Some say relentless marketing efforts are required, while others reinforce the importance of a strong release date. In the case of “The Cannonball Run,” it’s obviously star power that urged hordes of ticket buyers into theaters during the summer of 1981. At least I hope it was star power. With all due respect to cult admirers of the picture, “The Cannonball Run” is a wearisome, nonsensical production rescued by its marquee value. It’s difficult to grow upset with the feature when it’s continuously shifting perspective, slapping a fresh face on the screen every two minutes to lead attention away from the substandard direction, questionable continuity, and general slack momentum of the piece. Take it as pure escapism executed by giddy performers, and it’s passable entertainment. Otherwise, it’s a rough cross-country ride of indulgence and automobile mayhem, perhaps best suited for a Saturday morning cartoon.
The Cannonball Run is a renowned but unsanctioned car race across America, from Connecticut to California, attracting numerous contestants obsessed with building a reputation as the finest driver in the country. Joining the pursuit for this round are pals J.J. (Burt Reynolds) and Victor (Dom DeLuise), who’ve picked up nature photographer Pamela (Farrah Fawcett) along the way; Seymour Goldfarb, Jr. (Roger Moore), who races as screen icon Roger Moore; degenerate gamblers Jamie (Dean Martin) and Morris (Sammy Davis Jr.), joining the contest disguised as priests; spandex-clad sex bombs Marcie (Adrienne Barbeau) and Jill (Tara Buckman), who apply their physical assets to bewitch local cops; rednecks Terry (Terry Bradshaw) and Mel (Mel Tillis); The Sheik (Jamie Farr), looking to win for the glory of Allah; two Japanese drivers (Jackie Chan and Michael Hui) who utilize a computerized car to gain their advantage; and millionaire businessman Bradford (Bert Convy), attempting to cross the country while performing a wheelie on a motorcycle. While the cars are unstoppable and the competition intense, the racers must contend with outside interferences, road warrior disasters, and various pranks to make it to the west coast in one piece.
The AVC encoded image (1.78.1 aspect ratio) presentation on "The Cannonball Run" keeps a brightly lit and colorful motion picture comfortably alert. Some mild DNR appears to have applied, giving off a slight waxy appearance to the cast, especially Reynolds, who looks unnaturally smooth at times. Frame details remain in good standing despite softness, with automobiles revealing their wear and tear in full, while costuming shows a passable amount of texture -- see-through and tight outfits offer their intended visual appeal. Colors are the big sell here, popping through different race environments with minimal fade. The spandex outfits on Barbeau and Buckman are particularly vivid (reds and purples leap off the screen), while various paint jobs on the cars create appealing individuality. Skintones look a little too pink at times, but stay fresh. Shadow detail is comfortable, permitting an acceptable look at evening encounters and fabric textures. Print damage is detected, with scratches and blotches popping up from time to time.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix works the limited scope of a 1981 feature film comfortably, but never dynamically. It's a louder track concerned with broad comedy and roaring engines, creating a controlled chaos that's never shrill or otherwise unpleasant. Dialogue exchanges are kept primarily frontal, doing a fine job clarifying cartoon accents and overlapping dialogue. Voices sound full and direct, with nothing stepped on as the action heats up. There's limited dimension for the group sequences, but nothing bold. Automobile adventures carry a rowdier edge, but very limited low-end activity to articulate crashes and explosions. Directional activity isn't present, with the car wars handed a clotted kick. Scoring and soundtrack cuts are less robust, but they fit into the flow of the feature adequately. It's more of a blunt listening event than anything truly dimensional, yet the crude needs of the movie are met on this disc.
If "The Cannonball Run" actually made an attempt to be serious, it would likely offend in a monumental manner, with pronounced racial stereotype humor used to create characters, while Davis Jr. and Martin spend most of the movie playing drunk drivers (oh, the hilarity), the latter red-faced performer perhaps engaging in a little method acting during the shoot. Mercifully, it's all silly business, but not particularly enchanting silly business, often overwhelmed by its efforts to come off casual and fun loving. Still, there are so many famous faces and tightly clothed feminine curves, it's amazingly easy to ignore how unfocused and unlikable the picture is. Perhaps Needham is a genius after all.
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