The Dukes of Hazzard

Herald rating: * *

Not even Jessica Simpson, as saucy Daisy Duke, shaking her booty in a bikini, can beat the General Lee for looks and hotness.

Bo and Luke Duke's car - the famous red Dodge Charger, emblazoned with the number 01 - is the star of this movie because it doesn't talk.

The General just revs, honks its horn, and goes fast. Yeehah. It's great to see it back in action.

But it's a pity about its co-stars and the movie, a remake of the 70s TV show.

There's a moment early on when Bo and Luke open the doors to get in and out of the General and you fear this movie is not only weak, but horribly flawed. Everyone knows the car's doors are not meant to open.

But phew, fear not, they are soon welded shut during a makeover at Cooter's garage.

And as the lads slide in through the windows and blat away from Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane to save Hazzard County from being strip-mined by Boss Hog, you get the feeling the film is back in business.

But sadly, no. The script, while raising a few cringeful sniggers (Daisy: "I think something bounced up into my undercarriage"), stinks, and the performances are weak.

While Sean William Scott (as Bo) plays the lovable dunce quite well, Johnny Knoxville (as Luke) acts like he's still mucking around in rehearsal, and as Uncle Jesse, Willie Nelson's low energy stinks of marijuana. Hell boy, Jesse was a moonshiner not a stoner.

The race the General wins is cool, the jumps and landings are great. But Bo and Luke are turned into dorks rather than good ole boys from hicksville, USA. And that's wrong.

DIRECTOR: Jay Chandrasekhar
RUNNING TIME: 104 minutes
RATING: M
SCREENING: Village, Hoyts, Berkeley, Rialto