The Cannonball Run (1981)
Cross-Country Chaos, Star Power, and Full Throttle Fun
Get ready for a high-octane joy ride across America in The Cannonball Run. A motley crew of daredevil racers led by J.J. McClure (Burt Reynolds) and his sidekick Victor Prinzim (Dom DeLuise) enter an illegal, coast-to-coast road race from Connecticut to California. Disguises, absurd gimmicks, and outrageous stunts are their weapons as they try to outwit the law, the competition, and sometimes themselves. The cast is jam-packed with personalities: Roger Moore lampoons his James Bond image, Farrah Fawcett turns up as a photographer, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin ride in flashy Ferraris, Jackie Chan shows off comedic chops, and more chaos unfolds than tires burned.
Director Hal Needham leans into comedy, one-upmanship, and pure escapism here—this is a film built for laughs, cars, and spectacle more than serious drama. It’s loud, absurd, and often wildly ridiculous, but that’s part of the charm. If you want a movie that doesn’t stop moving, gives you big laughs in small moments, and delivers a nostalgia-fuelled ensemble romp, The Cannonball Run is your ticket.
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Genre: Adventure, Action, Comedy
Director: Hal Needham
Rated: PG
