Smokey and the Bandit Part 3

Starring: Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Mike Henry, Colleen Camp
Written by: Stuart Birnbaum, David Dashey
Director: Dick Lowry
Year: 1983

Rating: * 1/2  Stars       +       (Fan Bonus 1/2 )  Total: * *

This is redneck fun as dumb as they come. Forgettable finale to the Smokey and the Bandit franchise, true fans will still find plenty to laugh about.

Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason)is announcing his retirement, yet the Enos's have one last challenge for him. To get from Miami to the Enos's Ranch in Texas in a set amount of time, carrying a giant shark on his roof advertising the Enos's new fish n chips restaurants. Of course, the Enos boys don't play fair, and after a few failed attempts to sabotage his chances, they hire the "Snowman" (Jerry Reed) to assume the role of the Bandit and abduct the fish and return it to their ranch instead.

What follows is a cat and mouse game as the Bandit gives Buford a run for his money. Along the way the Bandit picks up Dusty Trails (Colleen Camp) who walks out on her job at a used car lot. High speed chases by car and boat, nude picnics, run ins with local law enforcement, a truck full of Klansmen, and a speedway stunt show are just some of the wacky encounters and adventures they all get into. Along for the ride is Buford's son, Junior (Mike Henry) who's still as dimwitted as ever. Paul Williams and Pat McCormick return as Little Enos and Big Enos respectively. In fact the only one noticeably absent is Burt Reynolds, who only makes a small cameo in this film. Some lines and jokes seem to have been recycled from previous installments of this franchise, but they are still delivered timely and pull the funny bone.

It should be noted that the film was originally subtitled Smokey Is The Bandit. However, early test screenings were negative, and confusing to audiences. It starred Gleason in a dual role as both Smokey and Bandit. So much was re-shot by hiring on Jerry Reed to reprise his Snowman role and become the Bandit.

Make no mistake, this isn't Citizen Kane. But it's a definite beer & pizza movie that's funny as long as you don't take it seriously. A bad movie perhaps, but it has potential to become a guilty pleasure.

SEE THE TRAILER: Smokey and the Bandit part 3