Reunion shows are usually a mixed bag. On the one hand, it is always tempting to see your favorite shows as a kid and recapture past viewing pleasure. On the flip side, many of these re-makes are not well done, and they negate the good memories these shows hold. The Dukes Of Hazzard Reunion does a credible job for the most part of honoring the original series, providing a plausible storyline and not straying too far from the original concept.
The show opens by getting us reacquainted with the principal characters as one by one they converge on Uncle Jesse's farm. Bo is now a professional race car driver. Luke works for the Forestry Service. Cooter is a congressman, while Daisy is a grad student at (appropriately) Duke University. While Enos works for the LAPD- a nod to his departure from the original series- Roscoe has inherited the deceased Boss Hogg's fortune and is double dipping as both Sheriff AND County Commissioner. The Duke clan must stop crooked land developer Mama Max (Stella Stevens) from building a theme park in Hazzard Swamp- the land on which the Duke Farm sits. Along the way, we're treated to the usual hi-jinks which characterized the series; car chases, bumbling cops, not-too-bright criminals and fun and adventure with our two principal stars and the most famous Dodge Charger in history. It is a theme that works well because of its familiarity.
"The Dukes" is not without some sadness and regret. The late Sorrell Booke, a wonderful character actor who masterfully portrayed Boss Hogg, is not on hand (There is a wonderful, touching scene in which a tearful Rosco speaks to a painting of Boss in his office). Denver Pyle (Uncle Jesse) was ill with cancer when this movie was made yet gamely soldiered on. Gone is Waylon Jennings, the deep voiced country music legend and Dukes Balladeer. And those expecting to see sexpot Catherine Bach- the object of every male fantasy in the 80's- will surely be a bit disappointed, as age has made her a mere mortal.
Despite these factors, the original Dukes Of Hazzard holds fond personal memories of childhood, and this movie brought many of them back while successfully paying tribute to the series.
The show opens by getting us reacquainted with the principal characters as one by one they converge on Uncle Jesse's farm. Bo is now a professional race car driver. Luke works for the Forestry Service. Cooter is a congressman, while Daisy is a grad student at (appropriately) Duke University. While Enos works for the LAPD- a nod to his departure from the original series- Roscoe has inherited the deceased Boss Hogg's fortune and is double dipping as both Sheriff AND County Commissioner. The Duke clan must stop crooked land developer Mama Max (Stella Stevens) from building a theme park in Hazzard Swamp- the land on which the Duke Farm sits. Along the way, we're treated to the usual hi-jinks which characterized the series; car chases, bumbling cops, not-too-bright criminals and fun and adventure with our two principal stars and the most famous Dodge Charger in history. It is a theme that works well because of its familiarity.
"The Dukes" is not without some sadness and regret. The late Sorrell Booke, a wonderful character actor who masterfully portrayed Boss Hogg, is not on hand (There is a wonderful, touching scene in which a tearful Rosco speaks to a painting of Boss in his office). Denver Pyle (Uncle Jesse) was ill with cancer when this movie was made yet gamely soldiered on. Gone is Waylon Jennings, the deep voiced country music legend and Dukes Balladeer. And those expecting to see sexpot Catherine Bach- the object of every male fantasy in the 80's- will surely be a bit disappointed, as age has made her a mere mortal.
Despite these factors, the original Dukes Of Hazzard holds fond personal memories of childhood, and this movie brought many of them back while successfully paying tribute to the series.