What a wonderfully nostalgic movie to a classic television show. I think the critics were crazy to complain that this movie looked like a senior citizen reunion; don't they know that these characters are timeless to the fans of the "Andy Griffith Show." I do have to say that I'm a little surprised to notice that Opie[Ron Howard] didn't marry Mary Alice Carter [played in the series by the beautiful Morgan Brittany]. I also miss not seeing Ellie Walker [Elinore Donahue] the pretty lady druggist.Also missing is Leon [Ron's brother Clint who was off filming another film at the time];I'd bet that the adult Leon is still somewhere in town still munching on those PB & J's with his son. Sam Jones [Ken Berry] is also missing or did he move away after "Mayberry R.F.D" ended. I also have to wonder if Rafe Hollister [Jack Prince] is still making moonshine in the cellar of the Old Rimshaw House. For that matter, did Gomer finally marry LuAnne Poovie [Elizabeth McRae] or did he leave her to the Marines ? I guess it really doesn't matter. Andy is still sensible,Barney is still Barney and Ernest T. is still a nut ! [He'll kill ya,you know that.] This movie still captures the flair, style and charisma of the old show as if it never left us.Excuse me as I take down my fishing pole and stroll down to the fishing hole.........

No it is not a classic. But for ANY fan of the Andy Griffith Show "Return to Mayberry" is a sweet movie that reunites almost all of the original cast. The story is somewhat lame but it's fun just to sit back and watch the old gang at work. It is even more bittersweet knowing that 3 of the cast members (Aneta Corsaut, Jack Dodson, and Hal Smith) have since died. And kudos go most of all to Ron Howard who is now one of the top directors in Hollywood. He easily could have thumbed his nose at this movie. It just goes to show that there really are nice people still in Hollywood.

Almost 20 years went by since the Andy Griffith Show with all its colorful rustic characters from Mayberry, North Carolina left the air. It's never been out of syndication especially in the red states. But even in our sophisticated blue states this show always had its following. So CBS put together a reunion show and nearly all the regulars and semi-regulars still around got to reprise the roles that made them somewhat legendary.

Andy Griffith moved out of Mayberry and gave up the sheriff's job. But Don Knotts returned and served as deputy to his successors. Right now the job is vacant because the sheriff died and Knotts is running for the top job. And as Jim Nabors put it Barney hasn't done anything really stupid in over a month now. I guess Gomer Pyle hasn't felt the need to make any citizen's arrests.

Richard Lineback who has taken over a fancy eatery thinks more business can be obtained with the rumor of a monster in the lake where Andy and Opie used to fish. Poor gullible Barney falls for it and decides his work in tracking down said monster would be a great campaign issue. His erstwhile opponent is just waiting for the other shoe to drop so Barney Fife is once again looking like a fool and this time as a political candidate. Could be worse than texting nude pictures of yourself.

Of course it works out well in Mayberry, a town that we saw throughout the Sixties and seemed untouched by the social changes of the decade. I suppose that was part of the secret of the Andy Griffith Show's enduring popularity.

And those who loved the show will love this film.