Although it was filmed as a comedy, it is just so much more entertaining than the pathetic Burt Reynolds movies. There is a much, much larger focus on the cars. No sped-up footage anywhere here folks, and the fact that the cars are really being driven by the actors makes it all the more interesting. There is nothing I have seen in my entire life more satisfying than seeing and hearing the beautiful sounds of a Ferrari Daytona and an AC Cobra racing for superiority; and the camera captures it all beautifully, to boot.

As for the comedy, the movie does a far better job than I would have expected, serving up plenty of quotable one-liners, along with lots of straight car humor (the Jaguar’s problem starting, for instance). The acting is actually surprisingly good as well. Michael Sarrazin nails his role as Michael Bannon, an eccentric candy company exec with a passion for speed; and the late Raul Julia convinces as Franco Bertollini, Bannon’s rival, an Italian F1 ace with a passion for breasts. All of the other actors impress as well, though Sarrazin and Julia particularly impress.

This movie is the most captivating car movie I have ever seen. It’s a quotable movie with great cars, great cinematography, and great acting. Now my dreams are posessed by 70′s roadsters with Cibie fog lights.