Product Description

When it comes to life-threatening exploits, they don't get any better than those of professional stuntman Sonny Hooper - until now. Although Sonny's body is feeling the effects of his very long and successful career, the appearance of a charismatic rival on the scene causes him to attempt the most spectacular and dangerous stunt of his career.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38392 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 1998-11-10
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds
• Running time: 99 minutes

Features

• When it comes to life-threatening exploits, they don't get any better than those of professional stuntman Sonny Hooper - until now. Although Sonny's body is feeling the effects of his very long and successful career, the appearance of a charismatic rival on the scene causes him to attempt the most spectacular and dangerous stunt of his career.Running Time: 92 min. System Requirements: Starring

Amazon.com
The clarity of hindsight has turned Burt Reynolds's heyday in the 1970s into a time capsule of good ol' boy lunacy, and his movies remain as vital to that decade as disco and Watergate. Hooper represents the tail end of Reynolds's popularity, the last gasp before Reynolds moved on to forgettable romantic comedies and the sheer desperation of Smokey and the Bandit II and The Cannonball Run. Like those films it's harmless fun, and Hooper--conceived as a tribute to veteran stuntman Buddy Joe Hooker--benefits from the fact that both Reynolds and director Hal Needham were former stuntmen. The movie features three generations of stuntmen played by Brian Keith, Reynolds, and Jan-Michael Vincent, the last as a cocky young stunt-star who urges Reynolds to perform his greatest stunt ever: leaping a rocket-powered car over a wide gorge (a stunt inspired by the real-life exploits of daredevil Evel Knievel). What's fun about no-brainers like Hooper is that Reynolds's brand of macho mischief never really goes out of style. It's dated, but it's always going to find an appreciative audience. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

"It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's SUPER HOOPER!!!"
This is one of Burt Reynold's most enjoyable movies from his "early" years in Hollywood. Reynolds plays Sonny Hooper, world-famous stuntman & daredevil who is at the top of his game. That is, until the young newcomer stuntman (Jan-Michael Vincent) shows up on the set of Hooper's movie & suggests the most dangerous car stunt of all time! The movie's demented director likes the idea & wants Hooper & the newcomer to perform the stunt, involving explosions, a destroyed bridge, and a rocket car! Not only is the stunt suicidal, Hooper's girlfriend (Sally Field) is firmly against the idea. Will Hooper risk his relationship & his life for the $50,000 stunt? Watch this hilarious movie & find out! As usual, Burt Reynolds & Sally Fields are an incredible on-screen couple, & Brien Keith is also terrific as Field's father & Reynold's buddy in the movie. The dialogue is the same unscripted-style comedy that was so awesome in "Smokey and the Bandit". By the way, "Smokey" was directed by Hal Needham, one of Reynold's closest friends as well as the director of this underated gem. Burt Reynolds started his career as a stuntman & so this role had special meaning to him. The stunts in this movie are very impressive, as is the hilarious bar fight! Don't expect a masterpiece before watching this for the first time, just expect to laugh a whole lot!

Utterly Enjoyable
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.

Childhood legends
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!