Movie Review: Dukes of Hazzard

Let me start by saying that this is not a good film. What it doesn't have in quality, it makes up for in fun. This is a good example of the dumb summer movie that delivers the goods. I had no right to like it, and neither do you, I mean, The Dukes of Hazzard wasn't even a very good television show. It was a show that survived on the wheels of it's signature orange Dodge Charger, and those wonderful shorts that Catherine Bach filled so nicely. But who would have really thought that a film centered on a couple of backwoods hillbilly's outrunning the law would make a good movie in 2005? Well, obviously someone did.

The story is pretty simple, it even feels as if it was taken right from the the archived scripts of the television show, punched up for a more modern audience of course. The Duke boys are just causing some trouble, getting ready to enter a big race, while delivering Uncle Jesse's moonshine. During the preparations, they uncover a plot, masterminded by the corrupt Boss Hogg to take over the town for his nefarious devices. This sets up the chase scenes, explosions, Jessica Simpson bikini shots, and general mayhem that is wrought during the rest of the film.

This one isn't really about plot, anyway. This is about cramming in cousinly pranks, low brow humor, and cars. Was it successful? Yes. As I left the theater, I could not believe that I was smiling, and actually had a good time.

Johnny Knoxville and Seann William Scott star as the "cousins closer than brothers," Luke and Bo Duke. I had some initial reservations regarding their casting, but they proved those worries as baseless. They weren't the same as Tom Wopat and John Schneider, but the spirit is their, these guys are perhaps a bit bawdier, but they still have that fun loving attitude, just letting the tide of life carry them along. Jessica Simpson, I don't particularly care for her, at all, but she does pull off the role of Daisy Duke satisfactorily, she does a, uh, nice job of filling out the costumes. And in a bit of pitch perfect casting, Willie Nelson slips into the role of patriarch as Uncle Jesse, absolutely perfect. The last bit of casting, and probably the most disappointing, is Burt Reynolds as Boss Hogg, he tries, but he just doesn't seem comfortable, I couldn't help but think of the televised version played by Sorrel Brooke.

The real star of the show may just be that 1969 Charger, 26 of which were used during filming. They proceed to put it through the paces, jumping them onto highways, racing on road, off road, around roads, ramming into other cars, put into all sorts of situations. Fun is what it is.

Something that is abundantly clear throughout, is the apparent fun they had making the movie. It shows in the final product, it transfers itself to the crowd. The boys may have other interests than the original pair, mainly with Luke's womanizing, they still find time to pull pranks at the other's expense. Surprisingly fun is the best way to put it.

It was directed by Jay Chandrasekhar, who was also behind Super Troopers and Club Dread. He even tossed in a little nod back to Troopers, I don't really want to say what it is, but it involves a speeding violation. He also gets in a supporting role for fellow Broken Lizard, Kevin Heffernan. Jay does a good job at bringing this new vision of the good ole boys to the screen. Focusing heavily on comedy and car chases, he injects some life into the formula. He doesn't give us anything new, but he does do it well. I like how the effects all appeared to be the practical variety, which is refreshing in this digital age.

Bottomline. In the end this is a fun low brow action comedy with some big laughs, and big car action. The cast does a surprisingly good job. I doubt it will be a record setter, but it is something you can have a good time with.

Recommended.

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