Captain Chaos
Encyclopedia
Captain Chaos is a fictional character
in the Cannonball Run
movie series. He is the alter-ego of mild-mannered mechanic Victor Prinzim (Dom Deluise
).Whenever Victor or any of his friends are being threatened, Victor is instantly compelled to don his satin cape
and mask
to become Captain Chaos. Doctors have diagnosed Victor with multiple personality disorder, even though Victor is convinced that he actually channels the true spirit of a living superhero
who always arrives just in time to save the day.
Author David Quinlan wrote of Cannonball Run in The TV Times Film and Video Guide, stating "The best thing in the film is Dom DeLuise who, as the schitzo- phrenic Victor,
turns in moments of stress into tubby superhero Captain Chaos!"
When Victor transforms into Captain Chaos, he speaks very dynamically and deep like a stereotypical superhero. He laughs heartily when villains and foes fall beneath his heavy hand of justice, and he stands triumphantly akimbo
when the danger has passed. Captain Chaos also appears to be fearless and to possess superhuman skills at driving an automobile.
In the event that his Captain Chaos uniform is destroyed, as was the case when J.J. rips off the costume at the end of the first film after losing the race, he also has a second alter ego, "Captain U.S.A." (As it was revealed in the outtakes, it was originally Captain America
before presumably being changed at the behest of Marvel Comics
.)
). Because of this, Victor is explicitly forbidden from speaking the name of Captain Chaos in front of J.J., hence the reason Victor always cautiously refers to the hero simply as "...Him." (usually followed by a twinge of magical music).
film, Pamela (Farrah Fawcett
) asks Victor how he came to know Captain Chaos. Victor explains as follows:
(1984), and his alter ego, Victor Prinzim, appeared (in doll form) in the Robot Chicken
episode "Gold Dust Gasoline" (2005), voiced by Deluise.
, the character of Butters Scotch has a personality very similar to Victor Prinzim. When Butters is feeling too pushed around by the other boys in school, he "transforms" into Professor Chaos. However, unlike Captain Chaos, Professor Chaos is ostensibly malevolent, although hapless in his quest to "punish" those who afflict the gentle-minded Butters.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the Cannonball Run
Cannonball Run
Cannonball Run may refer to:* Erwin Baker's 1933 NYC to LA drive* Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, an outlaw automobile race, memorializing Erwin Baker's drive.* Films inspired by the race;...
movie series. He is the alter-ego of mild-mannered mechanic Victor Prinzim (Dom Deluise
Dom DeLuise
Dominick "Dom" DeLuise was an American actor, comedian, film director, television producer, chef, and author. He was the husband of actress Carol Arthur from 1965 until his death and the father of: actor, director, pianist, and writer Peter DeLuise; actor David DeLuise; and actor Michael DeLuise...
).Whenever Victor or any of his friends are being threatened, Victor is instantly compelled to don his satin cape
Cape
Cape can be used to describe any sleeveless outer garment, such as a poncho, but usually it is a long garment that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening around the neck. They were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon, and have had periodic...
and mask
Mask
A mask is an article normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance or entertainment. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes...
to become Captain Chaos. Doctors have diagnosed Victor with multiple personality disorder, even though Victor is convinced that he actually channels the true spirit of a living superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
who always arrives just in time to save the day.
Author David Quinlan wrote of Cannonball Run in The TV Times Film and Video Guide, stating "The best thing in the film is Dom DeLuise who, as the schitzo- phrenic Victor,
turns in moments of stress into tubby superhero Captain Chaos!"
Characteristics and abilities
Captain Chaos appears to have enhanced strength, perhaps fueled by Victor's rushes of adrenaline in times of danger or need. His appearances are always prefaced by the vocal fanfare "Dun dun DUNNNN!!", to approximate Chaos' theme music.When Victor transforms into Captain Chaos, he speaks very dynamically and deep like a stereotypical superhero. He laughs heartily when villains and foes fall beneath his heavy hand of justice, and he stands triumphantly akimbo
Akimbo
Akimbo is a human body position in which the hands are on the hips and the elbows are bowed outward, or bent or bowed in a more general sense .-Origins:The term was recorded first in the English language around 1400 in The Tale of Beryn: "The hoost .....
when the danger has passed. Captain Chaos also appears to be fearless and to possess superhuman skills at driving an automobile.
In the event that his Captain Chaos uniform is destroyed, as was the case when J.J. rips off the costume at the end of the first film after losing the race, he also has a second alter ego, "Captain U.S.A." (As it was revealed in the outtakes, it was originally Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
before presumably being changed at the behest of Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
.)
"...Him."
While Victor is a friendly, childlike character, when situations arise that he is too afraid to handle himself, he becomes Captain Chaos. But the heroic Captain is seen more as an annoyance to Victor's best friend, J.J. McClure (Burt ReynoldsBurt Reynolds
Burton Leon "Burt" Reynolds, Jr. is an American actor. Some of his memorable roles include Bo 'Bandit' Darville in Smokey and the Bandit, Lewis Medlock in Deliverance, Bobby "Gator" McCluskey in White Lightning and sequel Gator, Paul Crewe and Coach Nate Scarborough in The Longest Yard and its...
). Because of this, Victor is explicitly forbidden from speaking the name of Captain Chaos in front of J.J., hence the reason Victor always cautiously refers to the hero simply as "...Him." (usually followed by a twinge of magical music).
Origin
In the first Cannonball RunCannonball Run
Cannonball Run may refer to:* Erwin Baker's 1933 NYC to LA drive* Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, an outlaw automobile race, memorializing Erwin Baker's drive.* Films inspired by the race;...
film, Pamela (Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett was an American actress and artist. A multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee, Fawcett rose to international fame when she first appeared as private investigator Jill Munroe in the first season of the television series Charlie's Angels, in 1976...
) asks Victor how he came to know Captain Chaos. Victor explains as follows:
Filmography
The character of Captain Chaos as portrayed by Dom Deluise has appeared in The Cannonball Run (1981), Cannonball Run IICannonball Run II
See also Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy DashCannonball Run II comedy film featuring Burt Reynolds and an all-star cast, released by Warner Bros. and Golden Harvest...
(1984), and his alter ego, Victor Prinzim, appeared (in doll form) in the Robot Chicken
Robot Chicken
Robot Chicken is an American stop motion animated television series created and executive produced by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich along with co-head writers Douglas Goldstein and Tom Root. Green provides many voices for the show...
episode "Gold Dust Gasoline" (2005), voiced by Deluise.
Homages in Media
On the TV show South ParkSouth Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
, the character of Butters Scotch has a personality very similar to Victor Prinzim. When Butters is feeling too pushed around by the other boys in school, he "transforms" into Professor Chaos. However, unlike Captain Chaos, Professor Chaos is ostensibly malevolent, although hapless in his quest to "punish" those who afflict the gentle-minded Butters.
External links
- Victor Prinzim/Captain Chaos at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...