Smokey and the Bandit 3 – 1983 – Third installment

It’s not unusual that sequels get worse and worse the longer away from the original movie they come. Smokey and the Bandit is not an exception. The first film was fun and entertaining. The second seemed like torture for the actors and this… well… even Burt Reynolds refused this one! There are a few flashbacks in the beginning and some scenes at the end where he’s present though. I’m not sure if this is recycled footage or not. The appearances in the beginning certainly is but I’m not sure about the other ones. It doesn’t really matter anyway. Those few scenes are not important at all.

They tried to make yet another movie with the sheriff from the first two movies retiring. Father and son Enos tempts him to do a race though. They bet him that he can’t get from here to there in time. He’s offered a great deal of money but since they want his sheriffs star if he loses he refuse. But not for long. He soon finds out that the retired life in sunny Florida isn’t the life for him.

As Burt Reynolds isn’t in this another actor has taken the part of the bandit. No stranger to the series though. Jerry Reed that has played the bandits right hand in the previous films steps up and takes the role as the bandit. This is nicely incorporated in the story so it doesn’t feel strange. He’s darn proud of being the bandit too!

SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT PART 3, Mike Henry, 1983, (c)Universal

But it doesn’t make any difference. It’s a dull movie only repeating what has been successful in the past. It’s sort of the same story all over again. Some slapstick crashing car humor and Sheriff Buford T. Justice and his retarded son making a fool of themselves. Enough already!