MovieChat Forums > Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983) Discussion > Odd

Odd

posted 17 years ago by sa420
11 replies | jump to latest

Despite this being a mess of no plot, massive continuity mistakes and irritating supporting characters, I have a strange fondness for this movie.

The only supporting character I liked was the young cop in the white pontiac. The "I'm taking charge!" guy. I thought he was pretty funny.

There's also something about the ending which is strangely poignant. Maybe it's the still of Gleason saluting in that military helmet right at the end of the credits or the fact that the movie leaves you with the feeling that, somewhere out there, Smokey is still chasing the Bandit. Almost as if their ghosts still roam the desert highways, playing cat and mouse.

I think, also, that that "Ticket In The Wind" song gives an almost "haunting" edge to the finale. I don't think it's a particularly good song but it does seem to add to the poignancy of the end, you know. Sort of "...And that's where we leave the characters to flee from and pursue each other for eternity.". Makes a change from the rattling good banjo and fiddle yarns we usually get at the end of these types of film.

"Not The Gold!!" - Augustus Steranko.

[–] TopBoost 17 years ago

You know, I agree. The ending of the movie is... unsettling somehow. It's hard to verbalize but I know the feeling; almost like you're saying goodbye to a friend or loved one. Strange isn't it?

[–] jamieleefan1 17 years ago

ha! I thought I was the only one. I'm glad someone had the nerve to come forward and admit this. Technically the movie is a disaster and yet I cant stop watching it, laughing at it and then feeling a little sad at the end.

[–] jnoble11 17 years ago

Yeah, me too. I feel silly admitting that for a movie as poorly put together as this one, but you guys described what I feel too when I watch the end of this.

[–] dnasty68 17 years ago

I felt that way too.I'm glad I'm not alone in this

[–] Manfonse 17 years ago

I agree. It has that same feeling I think as the very last shot in Planes Trains & Automobiles. I thought it was just me.

Neils Mum: Neil, did you make your bed?
Neil: No, I bought it.
(The Young Ones)

[–] billybrown41 17 years ago

Wow. You really hit the nail on the head with that one. There is something kind of unexplainable about this one. You're watching it. You know it's crap by just about any cinematic standards, but the ending's got some kind of magic that keeps bringing me back to it. For the last fifteen years or so, I've always had the urge to watch this one repeatedly in the Summer time. "Poignant" is the best way you could have described it. Thank you for pointing it out.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] heymrbluesman 16 years ago

I, also, agree. Stayed up until 2:00 to watch this on Sleuth last night. Truthfully, this is just an awful movie and yet....

I think, too, it has to do with the fact that I was about 11 or 12 when I saw the first Smokey at the movie theater. I will always remember how much I loved these characters and how they will always be part of such a wonderful part of my life.

And, I'm sure somewhere down in Florida, Georgia, or other points south, they all are still chasing each other down the highways.

[–] TopBoost 16 years ago

i think it's awesome that we all have the same feelings about the end of this movie... a support group of sorts...

[–] Traianus 16 years ago

Count my brother and myself in, as well. And for the record, I think "Ticket for the Wind" is an awesome song - and agree that it was perfect for the end title.

It is a little sad to think that it had to come to an end. I actually think that, regardless of how bad the movie was in many ways, the ending - from the time "It Ain't the Gold" starts - hits exactly the right note. Burt's cameo was great. One gets the sense that the producers of the film hated to see the series end as much as the fans did. They did exactly right by having the ending just continue the chase, with Buford showing that famous tenacity of his. Even having Junior run down the road after the car seemed like a throwback tribute to the ending of the first film.

[–] TopBoost 15 years ago

That's exactly the point, when It Ain't the Gold begins, that everything clicked for this film.

I was even a little moved by the fact that the Snowman let Buford win by slowing down.

I flippin' LOVE that part of the movie.