Cannonball!

Here's yet another reason to accentuate the 1970's was the absolute greatest decade for cult-trash cinema output (as if we weren't convinced enough already): Carsploitation movies! There are only a handful of them, they all look alike and most film-loving audiences will probably detest them, but … damn, are they ever entertaining! "Cannonball!" – although I must say I prefer the much cheesier video title "Carquake" – is brought to us by the same team that made the brilliant and unequaled "Death Race 2000" one year earlier, and it many ways it feels as if writer/director Paul Bartel injected all the silly comedy that he couldn't put in "Death Race" into this film instead. This film is more of a straightforward comedy whereas "Death Race" was a black comedy (apparently not everybody finds the idea of wiping pedestrians off the road for points funny). The concept of this film is much simpler: bunch of eccentric people participate in an illegally organized cross-country race from California to New York City. Ex-convict Coy Buckman is obviously the most talented racer, so his competitors will have to revert to ingenious cheating if they want to stand a chance. The main storyline as described here is obviously very simplistic, but one could also claim there are numerous little sub plot story lines that are all terrific and imaginative. The lead character Coy Buckman is already quite intriguing. He dragged his sexy female parole officer along in the race and has a mechanic who idolizes him so much that he literally wants to be Cannonball! Every contestant in the race is worth mentioning, like the obnoxious German in his canary-yellow sport car and the psychopathic Redman and his country-singing and guitar-playing co-pilot. Outside the race there's quite a lot going on as well, like Coy's sleazy brother Bennie trying to sabotage the most important rivals because he bet a huge some of money on the winner. Although the comical ambiance definitely overrules, "Cannonball!" nevertheless remains a bona fide action/spectacle movie with copious crashes, macho showdowns, explosions and violent painful deaths. The climax, which features a mass accident with cars piling up seemingly forever, exactly demonstrates the blending of humor and action. The cast is full of pleasingly familiar faces, especially if you know a thing or two about B-movies. Apart from the brothers Carradine (David and Robert), there's Mary Woronov, Dick Miller, Carl Gottlieb and director Paul Bartel himself (in a hilarious role). Buckle up for some sheer cult-excitement!

The story of "Cannonball" is about an illegal coast-to-coast car race in the USA. Of course, also some saboteurs are on the road to guarantee a not smoothly course of events...

Obviously not as great as Paul Bartel´s predecessor "Death Race 2000" "Cannonball" is a trash classic and cheese de luxe: cheesy acting, cheesy stunts, cheesy humour, cheesy dialogues... take a lot of car chases, explosions and add some campy humour and you´ve got "Cannonball"! But it´s always great fun to watch! A highly entertaining C-grade movie which is also very interesting for the prominent supporting cast, because Roger Corman, Martin Scorcese, Jonathan Kaplan, Joe Dante or Sly Stallone have small roles in this funny gem!

Fasten your seat belts and enjoy!!!

During the 70s/80s, many films were made that revolved around a coast-to-coast road-race across the USA ("Cannonball Run" and "The Gumball Rally" for example). This is another one of those films, an illegal road-race from LA to New York City. While other similar films took a more light-hearted and comedic approach, "Cannonball" has more action and drama than comedy, and it's hard to say if it was done on purpose or not. First off, the pacing in the movie is better than the other road-race movies I've seen. While "Cannonball Run" took 40 minutes until the race actually begun (most of which was useless to the plot and was just a way to squeeze in some hit-or-miss jokes), "Cannonball"'s race begins within the first 15 minutes, and by then we already know enough about the main cast, and more details about their characters are shown on the way to New York. The action in the movie is really good, and while the comedy aspect is only there every 3+ minutes, most of the jokes are a bit funny. It also has a much darker tone than the usual standards for this movie sub-genre, and features a lot of violence, death, and explosions. So, if your looking forward to a funny comedy, this movie doesn't have much, But if you're looking forward to an action-packed racing drama, then I would recommend it. Combined with some good acting, you get a good movie. 7/10.

David Carradine takes part in an illegal anything goes cross-country race from California to New York. Paul Bartel's second attempt at the race movie, while good isn't as fun as his previous "Death Race 2000". It's still fun in parts, but lacks the pacing and memorable characters (except for Carradine and the always watchable Dick Miller)

My Grade: C+

DVD Extras: Interviews with David Carradine, Mary Woronov, and Roger Corman; Poster and Stills gallery; 3 TV spots; and Theatrical Trailer

1 Easter Egg: Highlight a hidden car in the Extras menu for a Carquake/ the giant spider invasion combo trailer

Not to be confused with the widely popular Cannonball Run series - with Burt Reynolds, which came a few years later than this. This has a different approach and is more serious or let's say the comedy is more subtle at places. And it can get quite violent to say the least. It also does contain a lot of really well known actors too though.

The Carradines for example. But also some cameos (from Martin Scorsese and Sylvester Stallone no less, to name two of them). All that may not help elevate the movie further in your mind. What does elevate (the cars) are the multiple explosions you can witness here. If you are into that stuff you will be satisfied ... while most watching may wonder if this is spoofing the whole notion of cars exploding for no reason at all others may rejoice in that and celebrate it.

The movie has its nice moments, but also has its downfalls ... it has not aged too well (apart from the exploding element I reckon, again if you are into that stuff) ...