I saw the documentary with Richard Hammond where he met the world's most famous motorcyclist stuntman, I wasn't sure what to make of him, and then I saw he appeared in his own film, so I tried it. Basically legendary stuntman Evel Knievel has come to Mexico to perform one of his greatest stunts, and while there preparing he gets to know some of his fans and catch up with old friends. This includes helping a bunch of orphans, getting his alcoholic mechanic Will Atkins (Gene Kelly) to put things right with his son Tommy Atkins (Eric Olson), and getting to know photographer and journalist Kate Morgan (Lauren Hutton). While all this is going on, villainous drug lord Stanley Millard (Leslie Nielsen) plans to have Evel killed in his stunt so that he can get a replacement biker and smuggle a massive supply of drugs through. Evel is seen to do one jump prior to the main one, but when it comes to the big one he finds out about this plot, goes ahead with the jump, and after recovering there are some chases and stuff to which he saves the day in the end. Also starring Red Buttons as Ben Andrews, Frank Gifford, Sheila Allen as Sister Charity, Cameron Mitchell as Barton, Albert Salmi as Cortland and Dabney Coleman as Ralph Thompson. The critics rate this film two stars, the extra star is probably just from the fact that it is Evel Knievel and there are two stunts in the film, but the supporting one or two big names are wasted, especially Kelly and Nielsen, the story is ridiculous, over the top cheesy and predictable, I can never see myself watching this garbage again, a stupid action thriller adventure. Pretty poor!
Review of Viva Knievel!
