So what exactly is this The Dukes of Hazzard thing all about anyway? That was the main thought running through my mind as I entered the theatre. I'd never actually watched the show, had no idea who Daisy Duke was, and completely failed to get the jokes so wonderfully worked into that episode of Family Guy. Yet the fact that our party contained one 14 year old boy meant that this was pretty much the only film we were going to be able to see this night.

So what exactly is this Dukes Of Hazzard thing all about anyway? To be honest I'm still not sure. From what I could work out the whole plot revolved around this orange car (The General Lee) that speeds around country lanes making impossible jumps designed to show off some fancy camera work while forcing numerous police cruisers into some decidedly dangerous accidents. Driving this General Lee is one Bo Duke (Sean William Scott) who, along with his cousin/passenger Luke Duke (Johnny Knoxville), has to put a stop to the governors wildly implausible get rich scheme that could destroy the town. The solution involves plenty of fast driving, a little high jumping, one blonde in a fridge, and other similar mayhem. Read into that what you will, because I'm still not certain what I just said.

What I am certain about is the fact that they could have done a far better job in casting the 2 leads. I like the pair just fine as individuals. I like William Scott's goofy charm, and I love Johnny Knoxville's over the top, yet strangely cool, style. Yet as a team they just don't gel, they lack the necessary chemistry for a film of this style and as a result fail to make the duo outshine their own car.

Still whatever damage they cause is soon rectified by the insanely funny supporting cast. Eccentric Uncle Jesse is brought superbly to life by Willie Nelson who gleefully screams out the characters over the top jokes that will have you either rolling in the isles, or walking out in disgust. Of course the most important casting decision would have to be Jessica Simpson as everyone's favorite country bumpkin Daisy Duke. My god, her skimpy bikinis actually did play an integral part to the stories continuity. Personally I am one of those rare guys that prefer brunettes to blondes, but having read the reviews of Doc Devience then I feel perfectly justified throwing out 5 whole stars to Miss Simpson's amazing figure. Well maybe not that far, but still, that and the wonderfully conniving performance from Burt Reynolds as the chief villain Boss Hog made the film enjoyable enough.

It was however nothing more than a guilty so bad it's good type of fun. Even as an over the top car movie the editing on the stunts was horrible. You are constantly bombarded with shots of the car doing some stupidly over the top jump, hurtling bonnet first toward the ground before miraculously landing on all 4 wheels. A few one shot stunts would have made the effect that much more impressive, but alas, this really was too much to ask for. Still, it's all really harmless enough. There were a few clever jabs at the series, including the reaction The General Lee would get in this modern PC world. Oh and I guess certain things worked as a nudge to the series too; the car, the horn, the fake stunts, and a wildly implausible Boss Hog plot to destroy the town. Nothing clever, but it was fun all the same.

So what exactly is this The Dukes of Hazzard thing all about anyway? My answer can only really be, nonsense. Over the top, nonsensical silliness featuring a fast (though kind of crappy looking) car, and a hot babe in a pink bikini. Worth a group screening I guess, but not recommended for the lone cinema experience.