6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.8 |
Gator McKlusky had been just released from prison following the events of White Lightning and is living in the Okefenokee Swamp with his father and daughter. Federal agents know that he is still making moonshine with his father and Suzie and use this information to coerce him into assisting them to catch a corrupt politician.
Starring: Burt Reynolds, Jack Weston, Jerry Reed, Alice Ghostley, Dub TaylorCrime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A sequel to 1973’s “White Lightning,” 1976’s “Gator” arrives with full confidence that the audience is ready to accept the franchise’s brand of violence and southern-tinged comedy. However, “White Lightning” was raw and hungry to please viewers, presenting a nimble version of Reynolds, still in the infancy of his massive fame. “Gator” arrives in the midst of the actor’s heyday, and while it isn’t a lazy performance, the Reynolds (who also directs) featured here is a bit too comfortable, failing to reignite the flame of machismo that served the character so well before. Aggressive in fits, but in desperate need of a tighter edit, “Gator” fails to build on the achievements of its predecessor.
The AVC encoded image (2.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation carries a different vibe than "White Lightning." The viewing experience here is crisper and brighter, though the BD retains a cinematic feel, capturing fine detail on faces and decorated interiors, even through inherent cinematographic softness. Colors are appealing, offering a nice read of reds and period-appropriate shades of browns, and skintones keep their natural look. Blacks offer agreeable delineation. Aside from some mild speckling, no overt damage is detected.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix handles surges in screen chaos with adequate comfort, finding encounters with helicopters and cars blunt but manageable. Dialogue exchanges are clean and crisp, exploring accents and tempers with care. Scoring is fresh and supportive, while soundtrack cuts offer satisfactory instrumentation.
Jerry Reed makes for a passable villain, and the conclusion of the picture is refreshingly bittersweet, daring to leave the audience on a down note. However, "Gator" doesn't match the fury of "White Lightning," missing edge and timing. Moments of comedy fail, darkness isn't all that threatening, but when "Gator" sets off on a chase, that's where the real pleasures of the series come alive.
2017
1973
1971
1972
1994
Pop Goes the Weasel
1975
1974
Soul Vengeance
1975
1988
Limited Edition - 1,500 copies
1977
2018
2019
1979
1982
1976
1972
1973
1972
Collector's Edition
1982
1994