"Hooper" is one of the most upbeat films I've ever seen. Everyone in the movie is so positive. The stunt men believe they can do the stunts, the director believes in getting the big shot, and everyone seems to be having a great time. You can't help but be entertained. The chemistry between Burt Reynolds and Sally Field is believable, and some interesting supporting actors make major contributions to the fun. Even Terry Bradshaw and Robert Tessier in the barroom brawl are memorable. So the next time you are feeling a little down, I recommend watching "Hooper" for immediate relief, because everybody loves a good time and a good movie. - MERK

A good comedy action film about Hollywood stuntmen, with Burt Reynolds at his macho best in a good supporting cast surrounding him. Sally Fields really has a little to do as his girlfriend and the daughter of his mentor, aging retired stuntman Brian Keith. Her involvement in the film just has her worried about Burt and Brian throughout the film with a big scene telling Bert that she is going to walk out on him if he does is done that may risk his life. He's basically beyond his prime as a stuntman, and one big fall could either make him a paraplegic or kill him. Along Comes Jan-Michael Vincent no, the new stuntman on the lot, and Burt beomes his mentor.

Keith gives the best performance in the film, really showing that he has what it takes when the boys get into a barroom brawl, and James Best from "The Dukes of Hazard" is equally good. There was also an amazing cameo by Adam West at the beginning of the film, playing himself, the star of the film that Burt is a stuntman on. There are lots of montages of the various stunts that Burt has done, car chases through the backlot sceneries including Westerns where there would not be any modern vehicles.

The final big stump is the highlight of the film, a re-creation of an earthquake that is supposed to topple the city. It's a likable film, consistently entertaining, and better certainly than films Burt starred in like the "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Cannonball Run" series. This was a smash hit but not what Warner Brothers expected, and perhaps a sign that Hollywood studios shouldn't overestimate what they think a film is going to make and just publicize it to the best of their ability and let the public decide.

Burt Reynolds is at his rollicking best as devil may care stuntman Hooper who's beginning to feel his age. The hot breath of competition in the person of Jan-Michael Vincent is breathing down his neck. Reynolds prizes the fact that he's the best in the business, but it's a young man game that demands a young man's reflexes.

Brian Keith knows how Reynolds feels, Reynolds dethroned him as number one and Reynolds keeps company with Keith's daughter Sally Field who would dearly love it if both of the men in her life would just get out of that rough business.

Hooper has little plot to it, it's a character study of the people who go into that line of work and a touch of insanity seems to be a needed ingredient for success. The title role is something that fits Reynolds like a made to measure suit

John Marley is in the cast as your stereotypical ulcer ridden producer and Robert Klein has a great part as a truly obnoxious director, one of his early good ones. And of course the stunt work stands out on its own as well as being an integral part of the plot.

Hooper even got an Oscar nomination in the Sound category. A definite must for Burt Reynolds fans.