wierzbowskisteedman 'Cannonball' tells the story of a motley crew of determined racers as they battle against each other in a cross country road race with no rules.It doesn't really need a plot. This film is about one thing and one thing only: cars, and the wondrous ways in which they can be wrecked. A year after Death Race 2000, Bartel and Carradine team up again here, probably just cashing in on the cult status of their pedestrian chewing masterpiece. Carradine plays a sort of anti-Frankenstein; Cannonball might be the title role, but he isn't as cool and devious as he was in DR2000. The supporting cast are all fine, keeping their tongue firmly in cheek and never letting the campy attitude of the film slip. But the cast in general plays second fiddle to the cars and explosions.Brains aren't required, but that only adds to the fun. It's particularly hilarious when the German driver gets blown up, and five minutes later someone is reading a newspaper with his death as the headline. The fact that the cars in this film tend to explode after colliding with something moving at two miles an hour tells you what kind of mindset you need to watch this. But if you don't laugh at the truly monumental, explosive pile up that takes place near the end of the film you need some help. Plus, watch out for the Stallone - Scorsese cameo that lasts literally seconds.If you enjoyed similar road racing classics like Death Race and Grand Theft Auto you should love this. Everything that is enjoyable about B movies is here, and I will never get bored of films like this.

movieman_kev 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

hokeybutt CANNONBALL (2 outta 5 stars) Pretty dreary low budget car chase movie starring David Carradine and directed by Paul Bartel who teamed up for the classic "Death Race 2000" the year before. This time out inspiration seems to be have been replaced by desperation. The movie isn't really terrible... but there isn't much of it that you'll remember afterwards. Carradine plays the title character, the hottest and the coolest driver in the world who is determined to win an illegal cross country car race. Well, the plot is pretty much the same as "Death Race" and a lot of the same actors show up... but it's a pretty tepid follow-up. The wit and the satire of the previous movie are missing in action... this movie tries to be funny but it's the same kind of cheap, cornball gags you saw in practically *every* car chase flick in the '70s. The stuntwork is particularly unimpressive as well. The chief rule seems to be: "When in doubt, run someone off the road." Brief cameo appearance by Martin Scorsese and Sylvester Stallone... probably the only time the two will ever work together.

Infofreak 'Cannonball' is one of the least remembered of the short-lived but successful 1970s car race/car crash genre begun by 'The Gumball Rally'. What really makes this one stand out is that it was directed by the late Paul Bartel (in between his immortal black comedy classics 'Death Race 2000' and 'Eating Raoul'), and features an impressive supporting cast of cult actors and Bartel buddies. 'Death Race 2000's David Carradine once again stars, this time as "Cannonball" Buckman, an ex-con who desperately wants to win the illegal Trans American road race. His older brother Benny (the legendary Dick Miller) gets him set up with a car, and bets enormous sums of money on him, mainly with the eccentric but ruthless bookie and amateur songwriter Lester Marks (played by Bartel himself). If Cannonball loses Benny will enter into a world of pain, so Benny tries any and every trick he can think of to ensure Cannonball's competitors lose. Cannonball's main competition is the borderline psychotic Redman ('Deliverance's Bill McKinney), but the race also includes Cannonball's sidekick Zippo (Archie Hahn), his parole officer girlfriend (Veronica Hammel), a bus full of babes led by frequent Bartel co-star Mary Woronov, an aspiring country singer (Gerrit Graham), and surfer types Robert Carradine and Belinda Balaski. 1970s exploitation fans will recognize these actors, and several others that make appearances throughout this stupid but fun movie, and buffs will also spot various film makers in cameos including Roger Corman, Martin Scorsese and Joe Dante. The whole thing is very incestuous and self-indulgent, but the cast looks like they're having a lot of fun. Maybe not as much as the viewer will, but it's still an entertaining ride if you kick back and have a beer or two when watching it.