The road trip film follows a fairly linear path despite the fact that success in the subgenre all but requires a few detours and obstacles to really pack a comedy punch. Even though the plot is all about a group of people trying to get from one point to another, hence the linear structure, how they get there and the zany adventure they have along the way is what gives the film its merit. The fact is, some entries in this vein seem to miss the point entirely and never pursue the opportunity for genuinely absurd situations allowed by a premise where almost any character can be written in, no matter how random or ridiculous. It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and The Cannonball Run are two such films in the genre, but despite their cross-country adventures stemming from different goals, they find similarity in that they take advantage of the genre’s anything goes policy. In the case of The Cannonball Run it’s less true and never quite as successful, but it compensates by pairing Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise in a race against sexually exploitative women, false clergy, and dim-witted rednecks that delivers a decent number of laughs.
Every year racers from around the country gather for race that takes them from the east coast to the west, using whatever nefarious means available to them to get ahead and slow their competition down. Of course, a race that spans numerous states is hard to keep off the radars of law enforcement, and so part of the trick to success is finding a gimmick that will deter the authorities from pulling you over and putting an end to your chances. For J.J. (Reynolds) and Victor (DeLuise), every day leading up to the next Cannonball Run is a chance to figure out the ideal vehicle. After tossing out numerous choices, they settle on an ambulance, hire a doctor (Jack Elam), and abduct a beautiful woman (Farrah Fawcett) to be their patient as they attempt to outrun two men dressed as priests (Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin), women who’ll show some skin to seduce the fuzz, a technologically advanced Subaru driven by Jackie Chan, rednecks, and Roger Moore himself.
Though J.J. and Victor seem to have the best plan, they’re beset by complications triggered by Victor’s bighearted ways and his tendency to don an alter ego known as Captain Chaos. Can they keep ahead of opponents who’ll do anything to reach the finish line for the prize money? Or will they all get caught by a vindictive environmentalist who wants to put an end to the automobile once and for all?
While the antics of the fantastic ensemble cast assembled for The Cannonball Run help to keep the proceedings fast and silly, the truth is that the film is never too funny save for the select moments between Reynolds and DeLuise who play off one another beautifully. Just like Donald Sutherland whose comic brilliance is often lost in the shadow of dramatic roles, Reynolds is an actor whose finer comedy moments are fairly easy to overlook, especially when his later output failed to equal his earlier work. Yet there’s no denying here that his charm is both a force of sexuality and comedy; as believable as he is as a suave ladies’ man, he’s just as convincing a leading man of comedy. With DeLuise by his side, the jokes come fast and loose, and more often than not they hit. Except when they miss, it’s usually at a time when some levity that connects is badly needed, because every minute they’re not on the screen, the laughs tend to fade.
Blu-ray Bonus Features
The only extra feature you’ll find here is an audio commentary with Director Hal Needham and Producer Albert S. Ruddy, and from the sound of it, it’s quite old. On the plus side, there’s a decent blooper reel accompanying the credits, so that’s something.
"The Cannonball Run" is on sale November 8, 2011 and is rated PG. Comedy. Directed by Hal Needham. Written by Brock Yates. Starring Burt Reynolds, Dean Martin, Dom DeLuise, Farrah Fawcett, Sammy Davis Jr, Roger Moore.
