Review of Speed Zone (1989) by Bill S — 06 Feb 2015

Released as Cannonball Fever in some countries, this originally started out life as The Cannonball Run 3, but when most of the original cast and crew refused to return, it was scrapped, and the producers changed the title, although some countries changed the title to get more people in.

It's just the sort of hokum you'd expect film a film like this, just a bit of cheesy, brainless fun. Various participants gather for the illegal Cannonball Run at a motel in Washington D.C. That is until nasty Washington chief of police Spiro T.

Edsel (Peter Boyle) has all of the drivers arrested, and the sponsors have to find new drivers, which are found quickly. Gus Gold (Eugene Levy) bullies old school rival Charlie (John Candy) to drive his BMW with Tiffany (Donna Dixon) as a passenger.

English gambler Alec (Matt Frewer) and hitman Vic (Joe Flaherty) end up on the road together, as do bickering millionaire brothers Nelson and Randolph Van Sloan (Dick Smothers and Tom Smothers), who look set to cheat to win.

Most of the budget was spent on the all star cameos, many of them were only on set for a limited time, so it affects the production values as well, there are a few good set pieces, including a new meaning to a "fly drive", it's a load of old cobblers but remove your brain and expectations before viewing, and it's worth it.