Thin at best.

Rating: 4/10 (17 August 2001)

This popular 1981 movie can best be described as a flimsy excuse to string together as many gratuitous car stunts as possible. Hal Needham, an ex-stuntman, made an insipid directorial debut with "Smokey and the Bandit" in 1977, but then also made one of Burt Reynolds' best movies, "Hooper", one year later. Here he's back in Square One, and Burt has rarely looked more tired. The film does have an amazing cast, but most of the actors don't have roles, they have cameos. I especially disliked Roger Moore's self-conscious spoofing of his James Bond persona, he's so much better when he plays Bond straight with a subtle sense of humor. The only performance that REALLY stands out is given by Jack Elam; he has a perfect deranged look! (*1/2)