Over the Top

Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 8, 2006

Without question, the greatest arm wrestling movie ever made.

For Lincoln “Link” Hawk (Sylvester Stallone) the road is his life, and his life is the road. When Link’s sick ex-wife asks him to bring his estranged son Michael (David Mendenhall) to California, his life is about to change. After leaving his family, it has been nearly 10 years since Link has seen his 12 year old son. Michael’s wealthy grandfather Jason (Robert Loggia) has done everything within his power to keep distance between his ex-son-in-law and his grandson.

Throughout their journey to California, Michael learns the real way his father makes a living. Lincoln Hawk is known on the road as the man to beat, and the game he plays is arm wrestling. Link and Michael develop a bond during their trip and eventually end up together at the World Armwrestling Championship in Las Vegas.

This movie brings back so many memories and when I found this gem on the shelves, I knew I had no choice but to buy the DVD immediately. This is one of those ultra-masculine “movies for guys who love movies.” This movie first taught me that the only true way to bond with your father is through some type of athletic prowess. This Stallone flick will easily go down in history as the best arm wrestling movie ever made. I love 80’s cheese, and this film goes Over the Top. When Link turns his hat backwards, make sure to take cover.

Filled with 80’s synthesizer pumped montages and creepy topless Stallone clips, this film will easily satisfy your guilty pleasure needs. Coming fresh off successes with the Rocky and Rambo series’, Stallone’s typewriter was smoking hot after he co-wrote the script for this 80’s masterpiece. People may not know, but Stallone actually wrote the screenplay for Rocky and was going to direct it until he couldn’t find a leading man to commit to the role. Lucky for us, Sly became a superstar and graced our lives with Over the Top.

I have been in a Sylvester Stallone mood lately, hearing about his two newest endeavors. I almost had a heart attack when I heard that the 59 year old Stallone would be returning for a sixth (and hopefully final) Rocky film, appropriately titled Rocky Balboa. If you’d like to see the trailer, simply click here. Also Stallone is keeping busy with a fourth (and hopefully final) Rambo film, even more appropriately titled Rambo IV, due out in 2007.

The DVD is expectedly average. The video transfer is solid but while I don’t expect a 6.1 DTS track, the film could have used better than a 2.0 Dolby Digital audio track. As for supplements, this DVD is sure to show off this film’s awesome trailer.

The Upside:
80’s underdog, feel good, montage filled cheese at its best
The Downside:
Rocky, the heavyweight armwrestling champion of the world
On the Side:
While paying close attention, Lincoln Hawk becomes Lincoln Hawkes throught the film. The trailer even mis pronounces the lead character’s name.

Breaking Down the DVD:
The Film: C+
The Delivery: D
The Extras: D
Final Grade: C-

DVD Stats:
Release Date: May 31, 2005
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Robert Loggia, David Mendenhall
Directed by: Menahem Golan
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Sound Mix: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
MPAA: Rated PG
Country: USA
Run Time: 94 min.
Studio: Warner Home Video

| | Read more articles by Brian C. Gibson