Smokey and the Bandit: Critic Reviews

There is a parade of roadside set pieces involving many different ways to crash cars.

The movie benefits from some excellent vehicular stuntwork, an apt role for Burt Reynolds, the introduction of Jerry Reed's "East Bound and Down," a bright turn by Reynolds' real-life girlfriend Sally Field, and Jackie Gleason at his hammiest.

quintessentially 70s and still a ton of fun

Bandit has a pronounced Southern charm and smash-em fervor that aids in the digestion of an otherwise overly silly enterprise that's way too permissive with its on-screen talent.

The first in the series and the best of a lousy lot.

Despite a thin premise for an action-comedy road chase, the film's enthusiasm makes up for its lack of ideas.

A raucous blast with plenty of great lines. Gleason is an absolute riot.

Gleason is the real show here, but it made Burt a huge star.

Uncomplicated fun.

The king of the 'good ol' boy' movies.

Good, stupid fun, but a precursor to some awful copycats.

The true mark of a good action flick is that it knows when to play dumb and when not to.