Media

Home Theater Movie Renter's Guide - June, 2012

"Smokey and the Bandit" (Blu-ray) - Reviewed by Jim Milton

Synopsis

Burt Reynolds, Sally Field and Jackie Gleason are in high gear and hot water after a cross-country road challenge to deliver a truck load of Coor's beer results in one of the wildest series of car chases and crashes ever filmed. This movie spawned several sequels and more than one "hit" TV show in the 70's. Filled with zany high speed humor, this movie stands out as being the best of the car jumping genre.

Commentary

In what is arguably Burt Reynolds magnum opus, this movie showcases why he was a charmer of women and a wise-cracking hero to the common man. Fields drops her Gidget persona and gets down and dirty as an escaped bride-to-be. The real star here though is Gleason, who as Buford T. Justice, adopts a character all his own. He ad libs some of the best comedic dialog of all time and always looks like he is having the time of his life. If you grew up in the 70's, you would remember that this film came in second only to Star Wars in the box office. The sales of Trans-Ams sky rocketed after this film came out. It all seems so quaint now; the tight jeans and CB lingo…but boy, this movie brings back some great memories!

Technical

Universal gives this movie a good cleaning and crisp high resolution soundtrack. Though some scenes are bit soft, but the overall appearance is nicely detailed and  sharp. Colors are very solid and accurate with only minor crushing in the darkest scenes. Dialog is clean and clear as well. The beginning of the movie starts with a semi turning over its diesel engine and it sounds awesome in 5.1 . I can not imagine this movie looking or sounding better than presented here. Recommended.

Extras

Loaded Up and Truckin': Making Smokey and the Bandit, Snowman, What's Your 20? - The Smokey and the Bandit CB Tutorial, Two 100 Years of Universal featurettes (The Lot and The '70s).