“Smokey and the Bandit II” was not as good as the original 1977 film, but is fun entertainment nonetheless. Burt Reynolds and Sally Field return as the Bandit and Carrie aka Frog. Jackie Gleason got more screen time to display his comedic skills, not only in a reprise of Sheriff Buford T. Justice, but also as Smokey’s brothers Gaylord Justice and Reginald Van Justice.
Dom DeLuise was added to the cast as Dr. Frederico Carlucci; more comedy for the audience to enjoy. Writers Michael Kane, Jerry Belson, and Brock Yates provided Reynolds, Field, Gleason, DeLuise, & company with some fun material. Director Hal Needham (“Smokey and the Bandit” 1977) did a fantastic job the second time around.
The supporting cast includes Jerry Reed, Paul Williams, Pat McCormick, David Huddleston, Mike Henry, Brenda Lee, Mel Tillis, Terry Bradshaw, Jerry Lester, Chuck Yeager (in a cameo), and John Anderson as The Governor. The Stater Brothers appeared as themselves: Phil Balsley, Lew DeWitt, Don Reid, and Harold Reid.
A sequel called “Smokey and the Bandit Part 3” was released in 1983, with Reynolds only making a cameo appearance. “Smokey and the Bandit II” was the eighth highest grossing movie of 1980 for Rastar and Universal Pictures, but less than a hit with the fuddy-duddy critics.
Smokey and the Bandit II (1980)
cinema
My Review
“Smokey and the Bandit II” was not as good as the original 1977 film, but is fun entertainment nonetheless. Burt Reynolds and Sally Field return as the Bandit and Carrie aka Frog. Jackie Gleason got more screen time to display his comedic skills, not only in a reprise of Sheriff Buford T. Justice, but also as Smokey’s brothers Gaylord Justice and Reginald Van Justice.
Dom DeLuise was added to the cast as Dr. Frederico Carlucci; more comedy for the audience to enjoy. Writers Michael Kane, Jerry Belson, and Brock Yates provided Reynolds, Field, Gleason, DeLuise, & company with some fun material. Director Hal Needham (“Smokey and the Bandit” 1977) did a fantastic job the second time around.
The supporting cast includes Jerry Reed, Paul Williams, Pat McCormick, David Huddleston, Mike Henry, Brenda Lee, Mel Tillis, Terry Bradshaw, Jerry Lester, Chuck Yeager (in a cameo), and John Anderson as The Governor. The Stater Brothers appeared as themselves: Phil Balsley, Lew DeWitt, Don Reid, and Harold Reid.
A sequel called “Smokey and the Bandit Part 3” was released in 1983, with Reynolds only making a cameo appearance. “Smokey and the Bandit II” was the eighth highest grossing movie of 1980 for Rastar and Universal Pictures, but less than a hit with the fuddy-duddy critics.