Hooper

Rating:
Summary: Innocuous, passable entertainment for Reynolds fans
Review: As many of the other reviewers here stated I too saw 'Hooper' when it was first released in 1978. I probably liked it much more back then; watching it all these years later I was only mildly amused by the film. I didn't remember much about it except that Reynolds and Michael-Vincent do a memorable stunt near the end and of course the extended & comical bar fight sequence.

If you're not familiar with the movie here's the plot in a nutshell: Hooper (Burt Reynolds) is the most renowned stuntman in Hollywood with the credits to prove it. While performing in his current film he becomes acquainted with a young up-and-comer (Jan Michael-Vincent) who threatens to challenge his prowess as a stuntman. Ski, the new kid, ingratiates himself to Hooper and gets hired to do some stunt work in the same film Hooper is working on. The pompous director of the film also is impressed with Ski and substitutes him for another stuntman in a dangerous stunt overriding Hooper's decision. Hooper is initially upset but determines that Ski did perform the stunt better than the person he originally selected. The director then changes the end of the film to include a death-defying stunt to be done by Hooper and Ski; Ski however suggests redesigning the stunt to be even more thrilling and dangerous. The design is too dangerous though and Hooper balks at taking the chance. Eventually Ski and Hooper's longtime friend and film producer talk him into it.

Well that's the bare threads of the plot anyway. There are subplots built into the story as well including Sally Field as Reynolds's live-in girlfriend Gwen who isn't crazy about his risk-taking and wants him to retire; Brian Keith as Field's father who suffers a debilitating stroke after a life-long career as a stuntman; James Best is Hooper's best friend and confidant who keeps the percocet and Coors coming; Robert Klein plays the egomaniacal director who finally gets his comeuppance; Adam West appears as himself being cast as the star of the film within a film here "The Spy Who Loved Danger"; finally there's Terry Bradshaw who picks a fight with Reynolds and his buddies in the movie's fight scene. And of course there are the stuntmen, to whom this movie is made to glorify, who are portrayed by various unrecognizable faces shown performing every stunt imaginable. It's all quite laid back and easy to take with a minor emphasis on the film's serious tones and the comedy in the forefront throughout. The final stunt is well worth seeing and there are other exemplary stunts as well such as Ski rappelling down a high-rise and shooting his way through a gauntlet of 'bad guys' while filming a sequence and Hooper free-falling from a helicopter from 224 yards - that's because the record is 223 he discovers. The most memorable scene is when Reynolds drives his pickup in reverse down the highway, getting pulled over by the state patrol - leading to yet one more shenanigan by the brash and impulsively practical joking stuntmen entourage ever present with him.

Fans of Burt Reynolds will no doubt rate this higher than I did and that's understandable. Compared to the rest of his films though this rates as above average only and mainly because of the excellent supporting cast and the stunts within the film. And as far as comparisons go this is probably the "jewel in the crown" for director Hal Needham whose directorial credits include the other Reynolds' films 'Stroker Ace' and 'The Cannonball Run' and 'Smokey & The Bandit' films. There are no extras on the DVD but the picture is as sharp as it could possibly be. 'Hooper' might not be deemed worthy of adding to your collection but it's definitely worth a rental for all Reynolds fans.

Rating:
Summary: Just a fun movie
Review: 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 ;)

Rating:
Summary: Thrills, chills, and a lotta' fun
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Reynolds is a one man Rat Pack
Review: I saw Hooper in the theater when I was about 9 years old. It is still just as corny as I remember. In all honesty, the movie isn't very good. What was the biggest surprise, was how good the movie looked on DVD. The original print must have been in great shape, because I doubt a lot of money was spent restoring this one. Anyway... pop open a Coors and sit back and enjoy Burt in his prime.

Rating:
Summary: Reynolds is a one man Rat Pack
Review: I saw Hooper in the theater when I was about 9 years old. It is still just as corny as I remember. In all honesty, the movie isn't very good. What was the biggest surprise, was how good the movie looked on DVD. The original print must have been in great shape, because I doubt a lot of money was spent restoring this one. Anyway... pop open a Coors and sit back and enjoy Burt in his prime.

Rating:
Summary: Can't go wrong with Burt
Review: I wish there were simple movies like this these days where men act like men, plenty of fun stunts, comedy and drunkeness. Mix that with general mishaps and that is what makes this movie great. Sonny Hooper played by Reynolds is a tiring stuntman in Hollywood faced with the younger crowd of stuntmen coming into the movie world. Hooper who still likes to get crazy is forced to face the reality that he isn't young anymore and probably should settle down with his girlfriend played by Sallie Fields. This movie is full of great stunts and great laughs and any true fan of Burt Reynolds should have this in their DVD collection!

Rating:
Summary: Classic Reynolds!
Review: I wish there were simple movies like this these days where men act like men, plenty of fun stunts, comedy and drunkeness. Mix that with general mishaps and that is what makes this movie great. Sonny Hooper played by Reynolds is a tiring stuntman in Hollywood faced with the younger crowd of stuntmen coming into the movie world. Hooper who still likes to get crazy is forced to face the reality that he isn't young anymore and probably should settle down with his girlfriend played by Sallie Fields. This movie is full of great stunts and great laughs and any true fan of Burt Reynolds should have this in their DVD collection!

Rating:
Summary: Utterly Enjoyable
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Utterly Enjoyable
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: "I dont have my ding dong I dont want to live!"
Review: 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.