![]() ![]() ![]() Even recognizing the somewhat hokey construction and likely limited appeal of the feature, this suffers from other flaws. At their best the performances are characterized with fine nuance Douglas Henderson and Baynes Barron, for example, very convincingly depict G-men Hastings and Bronson as slimy toads, and the more prominent stars like Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Julie Parrish all embody their parts with suitable enticing personality as scenes demand. Though the cast is often guided into portrayals that are as ham-handed as the picture at large, when given an opportunity to earnestly demonstrate their capabilities, they surely do. Stunts generally are executed very well, not least at the climax. The race sequences are well done, including excellent stunt driving - why, I don't even like automotive racing in real life, but the inclusion here is pretty well engaging. The story is light, but sufficient for building the picture and keeping our attention. How much mileage one may get out of it will vary wildly from one viewer to the next, but yet it's not half bad. In all fairness, this is a picture that only wants its audience to have a good time. ![]() 'Fireball 500' is marginally more entertaining than its brethren or predecessors, mostly on account of boasting more of a concrete narrative, but to be sure, in 2022 it's quite the acquired taste. Make no mistake, this is a feature that is easily dated, and to whatever extent it has "held up" since the 60s owes much to open-minded nostalgia and generosity. This goes for the acting, too, and even Floyd Crosby's cinematography (note the regular emphasis of female posteriors). As great as the appearance is of the costume design, hair and makeup, set design, and vehicles, the visuals all impart the same flavors of cheesy fluff. The characters, scene writing, dialogue, and even the plot itself are all rather loose, designed for kitschy, lighthearted fun that's distinctly indifferent to any notion of sincerity (and more than a little sexist at times). As if the fact that this was an AIP film weren't evidence enough, consider the production values, the stop-motion animation and narration that greets us in the earliest minutes, and Les Baxter's original music score - and pop songs that are frequently incorporated (or outright shoe-horned in) just because. So much about this very quickly drives home the point that 'Fireball 500' and its ilk are borne from the same spirit that gave us beach party movies earlier in the 1960s. ![]()
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