Sweat, muscles, Sylvester Stallone and, well, arm wrestling.
The key period in Cannons history commenced when it was sold to Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan in 1979.
Profits were made, and Cannon was soon working on dozens of films simultaneously.
In 1986 alone, it released 43 films.
Its easy to write them all off as trash, too, but itd be brutally unfair.
Amidst the overt commercial fare, Cannon took many gambles on edgier movies, with varying degrees of success.
But Globus and Golan also had huge ambitions, and 1987 was to be Cannons big year.
It was putting cash into blockbusters.
It was a cast iron hit, where nothing could go wrong.
Stallone co-wrote the screenplay and took the starring role, and Golan himself would direct.
With a $25m budget astronomical, by Cannon standards production began.
Muscley men were recruited.
A 1987 release date was set.
Watching the film now,Over The Topis the perfect 1980s movie.
After all, this is a film about men.
With men stuff in it.
And lord, what lessons it teaches.
Stallone plays a man sorry, a MAN who drives a very manly truck.
But: whats this?
Hes got a young son from whom hes estranged?
Hes not seen him in ten years?
Still, no matter.
Yet heres the twist.
His is a son who get the feck out isnt being very manly.
Panic not, men-chums, heres whereOver The Topgets down to business.
For it teaches us all vital things, in its malestorm of crucial life lessons.
Deodorant is very much not welcome.
Picking up your young son from his Cadet parade?
Dont walk, or get the bus.
see to it you drive there in your manly truck.
Try not to be on time, because men either come very early, or too late.
A child asking you difficult questions about where youve been for the last ten years?
Well, he can cut that shit out for a start.
This gets the required sneer.
Should your child ever try such nonsense, take him to a manly bar.
Real men dont need a house or a bed.
You will make your child sleep in the truck too.
To teach the little shit for trying to make you have tuna salad rather than a burger.
Try and get the Brut advert in there for extra measure.
It is important that your son learns to be a man in montage-form too.
Some of you may be thinking that I make some of this stuff up.
But, well, look.
Men would not do that… #ManLessons
Never mind that the child is displaying some academic prowess.
He can cut that out.
And men learn to drive them in two minutes flat.
Tears are not for MEN.
Tears are for LOSERS who let themselves get BEAT.
They are to be driven through, like men.
Like men in trucks.
All you have is grunting, sweating, and beards.
Men need little else.
Thats it for now, Men.
Let us all head off somewhere to sweat and eat meat.
