AllMovie

This unorthodox "sequel" to Macon County Line isn't a straight continuation of that film's storyline nor does it involve any of that film's characters or themes. Instead, it plays like an update of a 1950's juvenile-delinquent melodrama, albeit one that is shot through with a post-Easy Rider moodiness. Writer/director Richard Compton returns but his story is of a different breed this time, mixing road movie and car-chase flick motifs to create a fun drive-in flick that surprises the viewer with the occasional thoughtful angle. The film benefits from a strong cast: Don Johnson shows a devil-may-care charm as the more reckless of the film's central duo of friends while Nick Nolte brings an appropriate moodiness to the role of the friend who is tempted towards another path by a female hitchhiker. Robin Mattson is also quite compelling as the aforementioned hitchhiker, bringing the right level of inscrutable unpredictability to a character who is beguiling and frightening by turns. Elsewhere, exploitation fans will be intrigued by Robert Viharo's turn as a single-minded, vengeful sheriff who represents the film's closest link to its predecessor. In short, Return To Macon County is not the tragedy its title suggests but it delivers an unpredictable and interesting blend of car-chase film and youth drama that will intrigue cult movie aficionados who like 1970's fare.