RELEASED IN 1983 and directed by Dick Lowry, "Smokey and the Bandit Part 3" is a car chase comedy about Big Enos and Little Enos (Pat McCormick & Paul Williams) betting Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason) that he can't drive from Miami to the Enos ranch in Texas in a short period of time. The Sheriff is joined by his dimwitted hunk of a son (Mike Henry). Meanwhile Cledus "Snowman" Snow (Jerry Reed) takes the place of The Bandit, teaming up with a woman who just quit her job at a used car lot (Colleen Camp).Burt Reynolds and Sally Field are absent in this third entry of the Good Ol' Boy series, except for Burt having a glorified cameo at the end. Gleason takes the lead with Mike Henry's support. The latter is so effective in his inane role that you completely forget that he played a serious Tarzan in three movies from 1966-1968, not to mention the formidable corrupt Sheriff in "Rio Lobo" (1970). At 46 during shooting, you'll observe that he certainly kept in shape.Car chase comedies like this are meant for leaving your brain at the door and having fun, but this inferior sequel makes me want to up my rating for the original "Smokey and the Bandit" (1977). There's an amateurish vibe, particularly with the writing and editing, which prevents it from attaining even the low level of "Cannonball Run 2" (1984). Still, it's the most action-packed (and goofy) entry in the series and it has its points of silly amusement.Colleen Camp is serviceable essentially replacing Field on the female front, although not enough is done with her. If you're not familiar with Colleen, she played the Indian playmate in "Apocalypse Now" (1979) and the hot French maid in "Clue" (1985). Anyway, this segment arguably features the best women in the periphery. Faith Minton is on hand as a 6'1" Amazonian who takes a liking to the Sheriff.THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 25 minutes and was shot entirely in Florida (Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, Ocala, Clearwater and Miami).GRADE: C-/D+ (3.5/10)

This movie's the best. I loved the first two, but seeing Jerry Reed as the Bandit is a real treat. I love how they humorously had Cledus take over the Bandit's role. That was the perfect way to use a different It actor and keep with the humor of the first two. I know people complain about sequels, but I'm really happy they made a third picture show. I bet this one is like the original they planned. . . before Burt Reynolds signed on and when Jerry Reed was still cast as the bandit.

Just when you thought it could not get any worse? Smokey and the Bandit 2 was lame, and the answer is yes part 3 was worse. Part Three had no Bandit! No Burnt Reynolds! Smokey and the impostor would be a better title. Beside no Reynolds part 3 had no plot. Grabbing a plastic shark off Buford T Justice car was the story. Lame and more even lamer the story became.. The adventure has cheap gags, T & A, and lame comic skits. The only positives out of Part 3 was a few cool stunts involving fire and the ending were Buford would rather chase the Bandit the go back to retirement. 1 or 3 out of ten. Depends what mood I'm in!

Where to begin? I have yet to be able to watch this bomb for more than 15 minutes. What was "The Great One" (Gleason) thinking? I just don't get it. I know he loved to drink and he would have had to have been bombed to DO this bomb.This was probably made during the peak of cocaine abuse in Hollywood. The drug obviously affected the judgment of all involved except Gleason who was just doing it for the easy money. He even admitted it. Anyway, if you thought Smokey II was bad, this somehow is worse. Even if you are a fan of bad movies, this isn't worth the time. It's not "bad". It's "useless"!