Smokey and the Bandit II (or known as Smokey and the Bandit Ride Again) is a 1980 American action comedy film directed by Hal Needham and it was distributed by Universal Pictures. It's a sequel to 1977's Smokey and the Bandit. The film starring Burt Reynolds, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Dom DeLuise, Sally Field, Paul Williams, and Pat McCormick. The film was released on August 15, 1980.
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Plot
Folk hero the Bandit has fallen on bad times but comes to life when he is hired to help transport a pregnant elephant to a Republican convention in Dallas. Arch-enemy Sheriff Buford T. Justice catches wind of the deal and resolves to spoil the Bandit's comeback.
Why It Rocks
- The jokes are decent, though less amusing than the jokes in the original.
- Decent acting from Burt Reynolds, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Sally Field and Dom DeLuise.
- The soundtrack is still great and funny that was performed by Snuff Garrett.
- Junior is still a pretty funny character too.
- The scene where cars and Semi-trucks having a war in a flat desert is very fun.
- Mort Engelberg did a decent job producing the film.
- The scene where trucks cross over semi-trucks is very funny.
- Decently written storyline.
Bad Qualities
- Buford is even ruder than he was the first film.
- It is a bit step down from the first movie.
Reception
Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, it received a mixed reception from the audience and the fans and is considered to be the best of the Smokey and the Bandit sequels.