Customer Reviews

Gator [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Gator is pure guilty pleasure. Burt Reynolds directed and stared in this 1976 follow up to the excellent WHITE LIGHTNING. This time the feds don't want Gator for running moonshine, but to go undercover to get evidence on his boyhood pal Bama McCall (Jerry Reed). Lots of action , fighting, boat chases and Reynolds signature style. The movie gets 5 stars but not the DVD. The transfer is incredible compared to the old VHS tape, but sadly the DVD is only FULL FRAME the movie was shot in SCOPE, so most of the picture is cropped off. It would have been nice to have a commentary track from at least Burt Reynolds, since this was his first directorial debut.

I have always enjoyed Burt Reynolds movies and "Gator" is no exception. Oh sure, don't expect any of Burt's offerings to be placed in nomination for any awards, but they are extremely entertaining and always action oriented.

I'm however saddened that the powers-to-be have again chosen to put yet another Burt Reynolds DVD movie out in that dreaded "full screen" format. I just don't understand the rational for some of his best movies like "Sharky's Machine" and "Hooper" and now "Gator" to be released like this. To me, it is akin to buying a "Rolls Royce" with a VW engine.

You will thoroughly enjoy the movie if don't have any preference as to it's format, but I will never again knowingly purchase a DVD in full screen format when it should be in it's theatrically released format, because for me, that is one of the important reasons I am buying DVD's in the first place.

This was one of those movies I enjoyed watching, and would watch over again and again, it's quick paced, full of action, and light comedy, I would suggest this to anyone. I would have bought this along with White lightning, which came out before Gator. But Alas the Studio's blew it again, by only releasing this and White Lightning in full screen format.
So out of my basket they went. My message to the powers to be at the studio's if your going to release DVD's such as these good fun movies, release them in both widescreen and fullscreen, you might sell more copies. But what do I know I am only a consumer.

Another classic bit of Burt...I prefer seeing Mr. Reynolds in this type role. With that sly Burt attitude and wit, always gettin' the bad guy and winnin' the girl in the end. It's a simple script, nothin' fancy, just Burt doin' what he does best!! These movies are my little guilty pleasures. I love this flick, no 2 ways about it! I really prefer Burt in this type of movie, or the Bandit role, or the Cannonball Run role...well, you get where I'm comin' from...just good old fashioned simple entertainment!!

I love the two GATOR movies...saw them when I was a testosterone filled high schooler and Burt Reynolds was THE action star of my day....but these DVDs "White Lightning" and "Gator" have been transformed from 2:35 aspect ratio...WIDE widescreen to 1:33...thus chopping the heck out of them..
watch the credits chapter on GATOR to see how the film should be shown..
DOES MGM think that only dumb old geezers who don't understand film formats would watch these? WHY the dumbed down versions..
I'm ordering overseas where they RESPECT the films

This is a very entertaining film that showcases Burt Reynolds in his 70's prime. Reynold's directing style was clearly influenced by his previous work with Robert Aldrich, and the film's tone reflects it. There are frequent shifts between character-driven comedy and hard violence.

Reynolds is surrounded by a strong supporting cast of likeable characters. Jerry Reed is particularly good as the main villain. Instead of simply being a cliche, he's an interesting character who genuinely doesn't want to harm his childhood friend, Gator McKlusky.

The story is essentially the same as it was in White Lightning: Gator goes undercover to help the Law, undergoes a moral dilemma, and ultimately decides to take matters into his own hands.

The film would have benefited from some tighter editing, and at ninety minutes, would have been a flawless B movie. Instead, it clocks in at nearly two hours, despite maintaining a breezy pace.

Most of the excess occurs at the beginning. In the film's big action sequence, a lengthy boat chase opens the film but ultimately goes nowhere. As a result, it takes nearly thirty minutes for the film to establish its setup and get things moving. The film's ending also seems as though it should be wrapping up a different film.

Despite these criticisms, "Gator" remains a lot of fun and one of the best examples of Reynolds' brand of 70's cool.

While the character of Gator is somewhat softened by his being in love and being a father, the action that made "White Lightning" a hit is evident in "Gator." Perhaps the best aspect of the film is Jerry Reed's credible portrayal of a villan (it is hard to believe that he is primarily a country singer). As someone said (Hitchcock?), " a film is only as good as its villan." If you like "White Lightning," then Gator is a must-see.

Maybe Gator lacks some of the flair found in "White Lightning", but it more than makes up for that with a little more fleshing out of the characters. Probably one of Lauren Hutton's best roles. Jack Weston is gnarly old gumshoe, who is instantly likeable. Alice Ghostley plays a lovable character and Jerry Reed plays one of his two best villain roles ever. This is not an academy award winner, but it isn't meant to be. Good ol' Burt puts on as good an escapist movie, with lots of action as anyone. Sit down with some popcorn and enjoy this one. It's FUN!

I bought this dvd for my boyfriend and he just loved watching Burt Reynolds - I'm pleased he enjoyed watching one of his favorite movies.

This was a favorite of mine, I don't know if the original version is lost or if it was cut up for TV and that is all that is left but it is not as I remember it from seeing it on HBO in the seventies. No widescreen sucks too. Please release the original in Widescreen. on the plus side Lauren Hutton is hottttttttttttt!!!