Smokey and the Bandit Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of 'Smokey and the Bandit' effectively leverages VC-1 encoding, maintaining the film's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The remastering effort brings this vintage catalog title to life, transforming it into a meaningful high-definition experience. Colors are notably enhanced, with Bandit's vibrant red shirt and the film's outdoor scenes showcasing deep forest greens and bold yellow road markings. The overall color palette is bright and inviting, preserving the film's afternoon escapades with ease. However, the grain structure is somewhat inconsistent, occasionally affecting shadow detail, especially in darker scenes like Snowman's cab interiors. Edge enhancement remains relatively subdued, ensuring a clean print with minimal speckling.

The source material has undergone significant clean-up, resulting in a transfer that is largely free of dirt and damage. This Blu-ray showcases appreciable depth and vivid primary colors, a stark improvement over previous DVD releases. Flesh tones are accurate, resolving past inconsistencies where characters appeared overly pink and pallid. Some minor issues persist, such as underexposed shots inside the moving Trans Am and occasional ghosting, but these do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience. Resolution remains clear, offering a tangible filmic texture and capturing fine details such as facial hair and clothing fabrics. Despite not reaching the benchmark of modern high-definition standards, 'Smokey and the Bandit' boasts an impressively clean and engaging presentation for its age, making it a worthwhile edition for fans and new viewers alike.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix of "Smokey and the Bandit" demonstrates an effort to elevate a mono track into a contemporary home theater presentation. While some improvements are noticeable, such as enhanced sonic muscularity and smoother directional movements during truck passes, the overall audio experience remains somewhat subdued. The low-end response is restrained for much of the chase scenes, and while surrounds contribute to the chaos and add to the atmosphere, they seldom deliver a fully dimensional experience. Dialogue is prioritized and presented clearly for the most part, although it occasionally suffers from brief moments of distortion, likely originating from the original recordings. Notably, the soundtrack selections are crisp with excellent instrumentation, supporting the visual elements seamlessly.

The film's implementation into lossless 5.1 DTS-HD MA is noticeable but subtle, not substantially different from the 2007 HD-DVD's Dolby Digital track. Despite an initial front-to-back pan and some light channel activation by the music, the audio experience predominantly feels stereo-centric. Dialogue clarity is maintained with only occasional inconsistencies due to the ADR work, which might not always dub at uniform levels. Sound effects such as crashes, tire squeals, and engine roars present well and pan effectively across the front soundstage. The LFE aspect stands out through the deep resonance of car and truck engines, as well as Jerry Reed's bass-heavy vocals and robust tractor-trailer air horns.

Ultimately, while the track doesn't explore the full potential of contemporary audio systems and may not justify an upgrade from previous editions for some viewers, it does represent the best home audio experience "Smokey and the Bandit" has achieved to date. There remains room for improvement through a modern remix that better directs action-packed sequences front to back.

Universal has compiled a modest but enjoyable selection of extras for 'Smokey and the Bandit' Blu-ray, blending insightful retrospectives and entertaining snippets. The highlight is undoubtedly Loaded Up and Truckin': The Making of 'Smokey and the Bandit', a well-edited 20-minute featurette that mixes behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the cast and crew, providing a vibrant look into the movie’s production energy. Unfortunately, Sally Field's absence is noticeable. Another entertaining piece is Snowman, What's Your 20: The 'Smokey and the Bandit' CB Tutorial, which offers an amusing educational segment on CB radio jargon. The package also includes a Theatrical Trailer and two featurettes from Universal’s 100 Years series that, while not deeply tied to the film, offer broader historical context.

Extras included in this disc:

• Loaded Up and Truckin': The Making of 'Smokey and the Bandit': Behind-the-scenes stories from cast and crew.
• Snowman, What's Your 20: The 'Smokey and the Bandit' CB Tutorial: Explains CB radio terms with a real trucker.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.
• 100 Years of Universal: The '70s: A brief look at Universal's films of the 1970s.
• 100 Years of Universal: The Lot: An exploration of Universal's studio lot history.

"Smokey and the Bandit," directed by Hal Needham, emerges as an unanticipated blockbuster of 1977. With its quintessential Southern charm, the film turned Burt Reynolds into an icon and heralded the Pontiac Trans Am into stardom. The premise is delightfully absurd: Bo 'Bandit' Darville (Reynolds) accepts a challenge to transport 400 cases of Coors beer from Texas to Georgia in 28 hours, abetted by his trucker buddy Cledus 'Snowman' Snow (Jerry Reed). Along the way, they pick up runaway bride Carrie (Sally Field), inadvertently attracting the relentless pursuit of Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). This high-speed pursuit across state lines is punctuated by daring stunts, vehicular mayhem, and a healthy dose of humor.

Needham's directorial debut is a testament to his background as a stuntman, with "Smokey and the Bandit" primarily functioning as an exhilarating stunt show. The film excels in showcasing audacious car chases and crashes with a reckless abandon that translates into thrilling entertainment. The narrative, though not overly complex, relies heavily on the charm and chemistry of its cast. Reynolds' mischievous performance as Bandit stands out, highlighted by his dynamic interactions with Field and Gleason. Field's portrayal of Carrie adds a layer of flirtatious energy, while Gleason's comedic turn as Justice brings memorable levity with his over-the-top antics.

At its core, "Smokey and the Bandit" is an ode to pure escapism devoid of deeper meaning—its appeal lies in its simplicity and good-natured fun. The film’s humor maintains a screwball comedy vibe, ensuring it remains accessible and engaging. For audiences both familiar and new, the practical stunts remain impressive, and its nostalgic value adds to its timeless appeal. Overall, "Smokey and the Bandit" offers an action-packed spectacle with a blend of high-speed antics and charismatic performances that withstands the test of time.

"Smokey and the Bandit" is an extremely entertaining piece of cinema, wielded expertly by director Hal Needham. Balancing action and comedy with a charming swagger, the film delights in its chaos, underpinned by the irresistibly charismatic Burt Reynolds. This 1977 classic offers a fascinating snapshot of Americana, amplifying its appeal with an amiable atmosphere of destruction and seduction. It's not surprising that this film left such a lasting legacy, spawning sequels and TV adaptations, while making the Pontiac Trans Am a cultural icon.

On Blu-ray, “Smokey and the Bandit” maintains the leap in quality seen in its HD-DVD counterpart. The picture transfer is above average, delivering the best possible fidelity for a film from this era. However, it is in the audio domain that the Blu-ray stands out, presenting the film's first lossless soundtrack. While this stereo track remains era-consistent and isn't a surround sound experience, it does enhance the auditory immersion significantly more than previous releases. Special Features on this Blu-ray are comparable to those on the HD-DVD and 2006 DVD versions, providing a couple of minor but enjoyable extras.

In conclusion, "Smokey and the Bandit" remains an effortlessly fun ride, appealing to both nostalgic viewers and new audiences alike. With a solid Blu-ray release that showcases improved audio and a commendable picture transfer, it’s a worthy addition for long-time fans who haven't made the jump to high-definition. For everyone else, it offers a fascinating period piece filled with high-octane charm and impeccable performances, making it well worth a rental or purchase at a reasonable price point.