Movie Review: Cannonball Run (1981)

★★★★★

It’s like a celebrity road trip where everyone’s in on the joke and you get a front-row seat for the ride.

Rick M.

Tennessee

Some movies are carefully structured, meticulously paced, and laser-focused on story. The Cannonball Run is none of those things, and that’s exactly why it works. Directed by stunt legend Hal Needham, it’s a breezy, stunt-filled celebration of speed, silliness, and sheer celebrity wattage.

As a reviewer for BoxReview.com, I’ve revisited this film more times than I can count. Every time, I’m reminded that it’s not about the race so much as the ride, the fun of watching a cast this stacked just goof off together while driving fast cars across the country.

The Premise: Race First, Plot Later

Loosely inspired by a real-life cross-country race, The Cannonball Run pits an eccentric mix of drivers against each other in a no-rules dash from Connecticut to California. The racers include everything from suave playboys to crazy scientists, all using outrageous disguises, stunts, and tricks to outsmart the competition and the police.

Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise lead the pack as J.J. McClure and his unpredictable alter ego “Captain Chaos,” but they’re only two of the many colorful players in this overstuffed ensemble.

The Cast: A Celebrity Buffet

One thing that sets The Cannonball Run apart from other car comedies of the era is its absurdly packed cast list:

• Burt Reynolds as the effortlessly cool driver who seems more interested in having a good time than winning.

• Dom DeLuise as his sidekick, who switches into a superhero persona whenever the chaos peaks.

• Roger Moore hilariously parodying his James Bond image, complete with a rotating roster of glamorous passengers.

• Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. as a pair of priests in disguise, of course, with questionable motives.

• Jackie Chan in one of his earliest U.S. roles, showcasing both martial arts and some of the film’s coolest driving stunts.

• Adrienne Barbeau and Tara Buckman as two racers who use charm (and tight-fitting jumpsuits) to distract the cops.

This isn’t just stunt casting; part of the fun is seeing how these personalities bounce off each other in improvised moments.

Hal Needham’s Stunt-First Approach

Needham was a stuntman before he was a director, and you can feel it in every frame. The driving sequences have a tangible, seat-of-your-pants energy that modern CGI-heavy car movies can’t match. Cars weave through traffic, dodge cops, and pull off insane maneuvers with real danger involved.

It’s also worth noting that The Cannonball Run doesn’t drown the audience in action. The driving scenes are spaced out between comedic bits, which makes the big stunts feel even more exciting when they happen.

The Humor: Loose, Improvised, and Sometimes Ridiculous

If you’re looking for a tightly scripted comedy, this isn’t it. A lot of the humor here comes from the cast riffing off each other, with Needham letting the camera roll to capture genuine chemistry.

Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise’s banter feels like two friends trying to make each other laugh more than anything else. Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. bring old-school Rat Pack charm, often breaking into unscripted giggles. Even Jackie Chan’s segments, while brief, have a playful energy.

Yes, some jokes are dated; this was 1981, but the film’s freewheeling spirit keeps it from feeling mean-spirited.

The Underappreciated Element: The Outtakes

One thing most reviews don’t talk about enough is the end-credit blooper reel. Hal Needham pioneered the idea of showing on-set flubs over the credits (something he also did in Smokey and the Bandit II), and in The Cannonball Run, it’s pure gold. Watching the cast crack up, blow lines, and break character gives the movie an extra layer of charm; it’s like being invited to the party behind the scenes.

Jackie Chan’s Early U.S. Introduction

Jackie Chan’s appearance here is brief but notable; it’s one of his first introductions to American audiences. While his English was limited at the time, his charisma and physical skill shine through, and his high-tech Subaru with gadgetry feels like a precursor to his later Hollywood roles.

For martial arts fans, it’s fascinating to see him in such a different context, blending seamlessly into a cast of Western comedy heavyweights.

The Soundtrack and 80s Vibe

The theme song, “Cannonball” by Ray Stevens, is unapologetically cheesy in the best possible way. Paired with the film’s mix of fast cars, flashy outfits, and big hair, it gives The Cannonball Run a time-capsule quality, pure 1981 energy.

Why The Cannonball Run Still Works Today

This isn’t a movie you watch for deep themes or intricate plotting. You watch it because it feels like a summer barbecue with movie stars, fast cars, and just enough danger to keep things exciting.

It’s also one of the last big-screen comedies to bring together so many stars in one project without it feeling forced. Today, assembling this kind of cast would take a Marvel-level budget, and it probably wouldn’t have the same loose, goofy charm.

Final Thoughts

The Cannonball Run is the kind of movie where the behind-the-scenes fun bleeds onto the screen. It’s messy, it’s silly, and it knows exactly what it wants to be: a star-packed excuse for outrageous stunts and playful banter.

If you’ve never seen it, grab some friends, a bowl of popcorn, and prepare for a movie that’s more about the journey than the destination. And if you’ve already seen it? You know it’s always worth another lap.