Decent schlock!

Rating: 6/10 (10 August 2006)

You know, I wasn't actually sure if I had originally seen this film or not when I rented it recently. I had definitely seen parts of it before, and I do vaguely remember catching it once on television. However, I don't think I ever watched it from start to finish, but my memory of its representation of the 80s road films made me want to check it out one more time.
Well, it's not great. 'The Cannonball Run' is reminiscent of 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World', and both are equally as boring in parts. Like the former film, we are introduced to an array of characters who want to compete in the biggest illegal road race across the USA. The main characters are J.J. McClure (Burt Reynolds) and his sidekick Victor (Dom DeLuise), who as a strange alter-ego that both of them would rather not talk about. They have the perfect vehicle in an Ambulance for speeding in this race, but first they have to recruit an unwilling patient (and potential love interest for J.J.) in Pamela Glover (Farrah Fawcett) and an actual doctor who would stoop low enough to assist them in Dr. Van Helsing (Jack Elam). However, the race is not going to be easy for J.J and his crew with many wanting glory in this race.
Their main rivals are Rat Pack duo in Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr, aptly disguised as priests. These two provide some competition as well as Roger Moore who plays someone who pretends he's Roger Moore, and he has many James Bond references and music cues (which, actually still work even 20 years later). Elsewhere, Jackie Chan has a computerised Suburu, two sexy vixens (Adrienne Barbeau and Tara Buckman) who have arguably the coolest car, and a Shiek(Jamie Farr) all provide entertainment and rivalry. Other characters seem unnecessary; such as motorcycle duo consisting on a Wall Street type character, and two annoying Budweiser-guzzling hillbillies who have a tendency to shatter windows. The film cuts from one character to the next as they progress through the race, and that's your basic plot there.
As for the comedy, it's very dated at times. Some works, but most feel like a joke to show how obnoxious some drivers can be while racing. There is a fair dose of cheese in there, especially when DeLuise becomes his alter-ego- which is, ummm, not that funny! Other parts are pretty funny, such as the use of Chan, Moore and particularly, Elam as the wacky doctor!
All in all, it's fairly decent schlock! 'The Cannonball Run' doesn't really stand the test of time very well compared to other 80s vehicles, but at least we know the mustache was in full force back then. Jack Elam- an actor I'd never really heard of- is the best thing here, and it was good to see Chan show off his stuff to Western audiences. I noticed the Good Year product placement a little too much, and there was some wayward jokes that wouldn't be tolerated in comedies these days, such as some racial slurs. However, not to be taken too seriously in a film where cars are just as crucial to the story as the drivers. Great end credit sequence with some funny out-takes. Not essential 80s viewing, but you can forgive its enthusiasm for fast cars and silly comedy due to its time.
*** out of *****!