Customer Reviews

Hooper

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are looking for deep meaning in a film, look somewhere else. This movie is all about stuntmen having fun, hanging out, making movies, and drinking beer while driving backwards down the Pacific Coast Highway.

The plot centers around Sonny Hooper(Reynolds), the greatest stuntman alive, who is virtually identical to Reynold's hero from Smokey & the Bandit(not surprising since the two movies came out within 6 months of each other). Hooper is coming to the end of his career, and he knows it, which gives the character far more depth than expected.

The plot, while not too intricate, portrays three generations of stunt men. The late Brian Keith plays the older stuntman who was once the "top dog" around the studios before Hooper came along, and watches with barely contained amusement as Hooper realizes he's about to be de-throned by a new young hotshot stuntman played by Jan-Michael Vincent.

Along the way there's alot of stunts, alot of beer drinking, a really long car jump, and some insight passed along by the older generation("You aughta drink more. Nothing hurts when your numb").

All in all, a very enjoyable romp that will leave you with a smile. Look for a wonderful cameo by Terry Bradshaw, complete with a full head of hair.

Where does one start. This film was essential viewing to my brother and I when growing up, for several reasons. Firstly it had a great plot, in that all little boys want to be astonauts or stuntmen. We would reguarly throw ourselves over banisters into generally dangerous situations to try and emmulate the stars of this film. Which brings me to the next point. Secondly it contained Burt Reynolds, who was still in possession of his considerable powers- witt, charm, little boy behaviour. He was supported well by Jan Michael Vincent (Airwolf legend) who managed to scowl in that way that was unique to him. They were backed up by the very beautiful Sally Field. Add in the excitement and the love-plot that is a neccessity then all is set for slightly exagerated insight into the glamorous world of the stuntman. So with all these tools on hand, it is easy to see why this is a film adored by people to-day. I think what makes it so watchable, is that we are all enthralled with the stunts that they carry out, believing that our heroes are safe, but yet all the same knowing that danger exists. This is all capped off with a fabulous clamatic scene. All I can say is that matresses were never the same in our household again after first viewing this, despite the possibility of hurting ones back. You'll understand what I mean when you see it!

Oh my, let's see. First 15 minutes....Burt has a shot of Jack Daniels, pulls on leathers, crashes a bike, woofs down a Percodan. morphs into Gene Kelly, feeds beer to horse, saves one for himself, argues with Sally Field in a room full of cowboy hats while her butt is hanging out of a pair of shorts a 5 year old would have trouble squeezing into, hauls Sally off to bed, stunt doubles for Bruce Wayne in a mustache, slides down a rope into one of them big airbags, gets shot full of Zylocaine in his be-hind, and talks like Gabby Hayes while buddy Roscoe P. Coltrane imitates Jimmy Stewart. Phew, I'm exhausted.

I guess by now ya'll all know this movie is pretty much about stuntmen...3 generations of em. Bryan Keith plays the patriarch to Burt's Hooper with a boyish Jan Michael Vincent as the ambitious kid waiting in the wings to take over the top spot as King Stuntguy. You see, Burt is feeling his age so he has another drink and straps on his shiny silver Firebird jacket and goes to watch the Kid rappel the Nakatomi building. Then after Terry Bradshaw and Connie Shockner beat the crap out of them, our two heroes think it might be a good idea to sponsor the Kososovo Demolition Derby and Jet Car Jump.

Classic Reynold's monkeyshine. Funny funny funny! No extras on the DVD though. Nice transfer but it's full screen only and the Dolby Mono soundtrack is pretty sad, but it's crisp and clear. 4 cans of Coors or 4 Percocets...take your pick.

This is typical Burt Reynolds fun stuff with a typically goofy plot and some pretty cool stunts. Terry Bradshaw is good in it, and fans of Sally Field will enjoy her in the various mini T-shirts she wears, lot's of good beer-chugging type stuff. Not quite as awesome as I thought it was at 12 years old though, when everthing Burt said or did seemed so much more entertaining. The DVD is thin on extras but it's only 10 bucks, so what do you want?

Great flick! I don't have much to say that hasn't been already (I loved the "one man Rat Pack" line!). This film is like a party; everyone seems to be in on some kind of joke (they're all obviously friends, part of the Reynolds/Needham gang). On top of that, they appear to be mildly drunk much of the time!

I too would love to see a special edition of this flick. There used to be a TV version that had a ton of extra footage, so I know it's out there someplace.

I am 29 years old and barely remember this movie when it came out. Burt is "Burt" in this movie. In addition Jan Michael Vincent is good too. One of Jan's last movies before he started crashing into things with his motorcycle ;)

I grew up and saw this movie about the same time I saw Star Wars and Close Encounters. The other kids thought I was strange for liking it so much and I still do today. This is what we need today in our theaters, something to laugh at and just good fun. You could take your WHOLE family to this one and not worry about your kids (otherwise it'd only get four stars). It gives a very whimsical and comedic look at stunt-people. I only wish I had followed that dream. Thanks Burt, Jan-Michael, Sally, Jim, and the rest for a great time. I wish there were a stereo version! Hollywood needs more movies today of this genre!

Have loved this movie since I was small... It still holds up today. From the comedy to the stunt work. And Sally Field was so hot in this picture. Almost as beautiful then as she is today...

It's a late 70's Burt Reynolds movie. What else do I need to say? I liked it fine. It's like after shooting Smokey And the Bandit the director said, "nobody leave, let's shoot another movie". Sally Field is even in it again. Here Burt plays a stuntman, but it's basically the same person as half his other films from those years. I'm not knocking it, this is why I like Burt Reynolds. It walks the comedy/action line. If you liked Cannonball Run or Stroker Ace, here's another one.

Great & Very Funny Burt Reynolds classic about the world of stuntmen. Also stars jan michael vincent in his early days