Kevin Coughlin
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FULL WATCHALONG ~ SMOKEY & THE BANDIT II
🕑 Added 2025-04-27 21:16:15 +0000 UTCSmokey and the Bandit II (1980) is what happens when Hollywood sees a runaway hit and says, "You know what this needs? More crashes, more chaos, and—what the hell—let’s throw in an elephant, too." Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, and Jackie Gleason are all back, and it’s like nobody even considered pretending they were here for any reason other than to cash in and have a ridiculous amount of fun doing it.
This time, the Bandit’s mission isn’t just bootlegging Coors—it’s transporting a pregnant elephant across the country in 24 hours. Because... reasons. And if that sounds like they were making the plot up in real-time, it’s because it absolutely feels like they were. Burt Reynolds still oozes effortless cool, even if he’s clearly operating at about 60% interest this time around, while Sally Field gives it her all despite the fact that the script gives her basically nothing to do except yell at Bandit and occasionally almost leave him again.
Meanwhile, Jackie Gleason somehow cranks Sheriff Buford T. Justice’s rage from “unhinged” to “certifiable,” delivering insult after insult in what feels like one long, glorious improv session fueled by barbecue and spite. Gleason is basically the film’s MVP, once again, dragging the plot along by sheer force of scenery-chewing willpower.
There are car stunts. Oh boy, are there car stunts. Pile-ups, explosions, semi-truck jousting—you name it. The plot barely matters because the movie knows exactly why you showed up: to see cars flip, good ol’ boys wisecrack, and America’s highways turn into demolition derbies.
Smokey and the Bandit II doesn’t have the tight, slick magic of the original. It’s messier, lazier, and way more absurd—but somehow, that’s part of its charm. It's like a second helping at a greasy diner: it might not be necessary, it might not be good for you, but damn it, you’re still going to sit there and enjoy every ridiculous bite.
Comments
Kevin Coughlin
many people commented the same on the yt page, we would love to go take a road trip to see her!
Brian
I wondered and looked something up. I saw how much Tara loved the elephant. This is what I found. .......The elephant that played "Charlotte" in Smokey and the Bandit II was named Cora, and she currently resides at the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center. She arrived there in 2016 and lives with another elephant named Tembo. Cora is now 66 years old and is one of the oldest elephants in the nation. She is well cared for by the zoo's elephant care team. .........Tell Tara if you don't mind 🙂 I figure she'll be as surprised as I that she's still around.
Kevin Coughlin
it's on the list!
Erin Mileur
If you haven’t seen it yet watch The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton in a musical.
Richie.B.7692
You Need to set up a PO Box so we can send you stuff for your birthday.
