by: Josh Marks
The original CBS television series “The Dukes of Hazzard”
has become so ingrained in American popular culture that it was inevitable that
an adaptation would hit the big screen.
Director Jay Chandrasekhar (“Club Dread,” “Super Troopers”) has taken the
familiar characters and themes from the show and crafted an entertaining film.
Just like the show, the movie stays upbeat and lighthearted throughout – never
taking itself too seriously. It seems that the cast and crew had a good time
while shooting, which is confirmed in the closing credits when the hilarious
outtakes are shown.
Seann William Scott keeps the energy level up as Bo
Duke. The chase scenes with him driving The General Lee and flying through the
air are very good, especially because of multiple cameras set up in and around
the vehicle. The rest of the main cast, all with southern roots, fit their
characters perfectly; Luke (Johnny Knoxville), Daisy Duke (Jessica Simpson),
Boss Hogg (Burt Reynolds), Uncle Jesse (Willie Nelson), Sheriff Roscoe (M.C. Gainey) and Governor Jim Applewhite
(Joe Don Baker).
Chandrasekhar has done a good job of acknowledging that the view from 2005 is very
different than in 1979 when good ol’ boys Bo and Luke
Duke raced around
The southern-flavored soundtrack provides enjoyable background music to the
scenes when Bo and Luke are driving around Hazzard
and
Like the original television series, which didn’t garner any critical success
but became one of the highest rated shows in TV history; this movie is destined
to be popular with the general public while getting panned by most critics.