Movie-Holic

The Dukes of Hazzard television series, which ran from 1979 to 1985, is, and has been, one of my favorite tv series of all time. The enigmatic characters, and the General Lee, created a world where you could escape to on Friday nights and just be one of the Good Ole’ Boys.

When the movie first came out in 2005, I was a little skeptical. I really didn’t think you could pull off the chemistry that the television Bo, Luke, Daisy, and Uncle Jesse had together. I didn’t think it would resemble anything similar to the original series. I really didn’t want it “Hollywood-ized”.

Then I heard the cast that was going to play my favorite characters. Sean William Scott was Bo Duke. Johnny Knoxville was Luke. Jessica Simpson was going to try and be Daisy. With Willie Nelson as Jesse and Burt Reynolds as Boss Hogg. I thought, “Great this is going to be a Smokey and the Bandit/American Pie crossover film.” Not going to be worth seeing.

I was wrong.

While the movie wasn’t family friendly, or wholesome, as the television series, it wasn’t that bad either. My worst fears never came true and for that I am very grateful. I do have to say that the Bo, Luke, Daisy, and even Unlce Jesse that I knew from Friday night were a little bit different.

Probably more edgier would be the word. Or more up to date. In the series they pretty much acted like the bad boys of the ’70′s. So, I’m really not that upset that they made the characters fit into the attitude and culture of today. I thought they went a little overboard with Jesse, but I guess I can live with that.

Sean William Scott did a great job as Bo Duke. His was of laid back acting is perfect for Bo. I was surprised with Johnny Knoxville as Luke. I really didn’t think he had what it took to be the level headed one. I have a hard time separating his stunts on Jackass and real acting. But, I have to say that he did a pretty good job. A good compliment to Scott’s Bo.

The Real Reason Anyone Wanted To Watch Hazzard

And not it wasn’t Jessica Simpson in her Daisy Dukes. It was the General Lee. It was the car chases and the jumps. And The Dukes of Hazzard delivered in a big way.

The General was out and about in several chases and jumps. There is a jump over a stream, a chase through town, some awesome drifting around a traffic circle in Atlanta, a massive jump onto the highway, and a super-massive jump off Couter’s truck were all “Dude….” moments. Here’s one of the chases to see what I mean…

The movie brought everything that the television show was and did a great job of keeping the main point to the Dukes of Hazzard… one family who loves to go fast helping others in their community by defeating Boss Hogg.

As I stated above, The Dukes of Hazzard is not appropriate for younger children (some language, brief nudity, and situations), but would be fine with older children with some parental guidance.