Over the Top
Lincoln Hawk a hard-luck big-rig trucker takes us under the glaring Las Vegas lights for all the boisterous action of the World Armwrestling Championship. Relying on wits and willpower, Hawk tries to rebuild his life by capturing the first-place prize money, and the love of the son he abandoned years earlier into the keeping of his rich, ruthless father-in-law.
Critics Sentiment
Hawk faces Bull Hurley in championship final match
Christina dies from surgery complications before they arrive
The film recovers from its melodramatic low point of Christina's death to build steadily toward the surprisingly engaging championship finale.
Critics found Over the Top to be a formulaic but earnest father-son drama elevated by Stallone's sincere performance and surprisingly engaging arm wrestling sequences. While many dismissed the premise and criticized the child actor's bratty performance, reviewers consistently praised the climactic tournament scenes and appreciated the film's old-fashioned heart-over-wealth message. The consensus viewed it as cheesy 80s entertainment that works better than it should, despite its predictable plot and soap opera dramatics.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 24
Sylvester Stallone
Lincoln Hawk
Robert Loggia
Jason Cutler
Susan Blakely
Christina Hawk
Rick Zumwalt
Bob "Bull" Hurley
David Mendenhall
Michael Cutler/Michael Hawk
Chris McCarty
Tim Salanger
Terry Funk
Ruker
Bob Beattie
Announcer
Allan Graf
Collins
Magic Schwarz
Smasher
Bruce Way
John Grizzly
Jimmy Keegan
Big Boy (Richie)
John Braden
Colonel Davis
Tony Munafo
Tony
Randy Raney
Mad Dog Madison
Paul Sullivan
Carl Adams
Jack Wright
Big Bill Larson
Sam Scarber
Harry Bosco
Richie Giachetti
Landis
Michael Fox
Jim Olson
Crew
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