Rating: 
Summary: American Blues Culture, Car Chases, and a quest!!
Review: Someday someone will write an essay about how this film truly captures some essential elements of American culture. It showcases blues music by some genuine greats, such as John Lee Hooker and Aretha Franklin; it presents an "anti-authoritarian" quest in the vein of Twain's "Huck Finn;" and it does these things with an undercurrent of Individualistic American Religion--these white boys with blues in their blood are on a mission from God!
Everything in this film works, when you realize it is the only film of its genre: a working-class musical about cars. Ackroyd and Belushi's dead pan delivery evokes the cool cowboys of the old westerns; the car chases and the flight from the police, a crazed girlfriend, Illinois Nazis and the Good Ol' Boys evokes Huck Finn's decision to flee sivilization-- the Blues Brothers have been there before and they can't stand it.
1000 years from now they'll still be watching this film in awe.
In every way an American Classic, like "One Flew Over..." and "On the Road."
The DVD is good also, with a nice documentary about the making of the film, and some scenes that were cut by Universal when the film went over two hours long...
PS--stay away from the sequel; it's horrible and in no way related to this movie in theme or importance.
Rating:
Summary: An absolute classic
Review: There will never be a more perfect blend of comedy, music, and story. I've been quoting this movie my entire life (with others in-the-know) and I keep finding more funny moments every time I watch. One of the few movies I own. I refuse to watch "Blues Brothers 2000" and I am almost personally insulted that it was made to begin with. Get this movie, watch it, and add some Chicago-style fun to your mind, too.
Rating:
Summary: When I grow up I want to be like Jake and Elwood
Review: The Blues Brothers are my role models for coolness under
pressure and single minded goal pursuit.I cannot believe that noboby was hurt in the amazing police
car pileups.
Rating:
Summary: It's the Blues, Jake and Elwood Style
Review: It started out as a bit on Saturday Night Live, and grew into probably THE most successful movie ever to have had it's genesis in that particular medium. And who would've thought that a couple of character actor/comedians would emerge from an innovative four-or-five minute act as "legendary" bluesmen of their era? Which is exactly what John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd did after first taking their show on the road as an opening act for the likes of Steve Martin, and then parlaying it into a feature length motion picture, "The Blues Brothers," directed by John Landis. When Joliet Jake Blues (Belushi) is released from prison, his brother Elwood (Aykroyd) is there to pick him up, in-- of all things-- a used police car. And it doesn't bode well for this particular pair of out-of-work musicians, who on a visit to the orphanage in which they grew up discover that it is about to be shut down unless some taxes are paid on it, and soon. But what can Jake and Elwood do to help? They're broke. Well, after a bit of pondering and a couple of good production numbers later, Jake sees the light (literally), and it all becomes perfectly clear: They have to put their band back together and stage a concert, the proceeds of which should more than pay for the taxes on the orphanage. It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it, and don't tell Jake and Elwood it's not possible, because they're on a mission from God... It's a fairly simple plot, told in a straightforward manner by Landis, who creates a visually stimulating and aurally satisfying movie that follows the adventures of the Brothers Blues as they travel around the good state of Illinois, seeking out the members of their former band and formulating their plan to save the orphanage. Along the way they run afoul of a country/western band, incite the ire of some Illinois Nazis, ingratiate themselves to the diners in a classy restaurant, wreck an entire mall and generally wreak havoc wherever they go. It's a total rush of excitement, backed with a blur of real blues, served up by some of the truly legendary performers of our time, like Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway (doing his trademark "Minnie the Moocher") and John Lee Hooker. Not to mention the "band" itself, comprised of Steve "The Colonel" Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Murphy Dunne, Willie Hall, Tom "Bones" Malone, Lou "Blue Lou" Marini, Matt "Guitar" Murphy and "Mr. Fabulous" himself, Alan Rubin, all there to back the incomparable vocal stylings of Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues, who are determined to save their old home, now under the auspices of "The Penguin," Sister Mary Stigmata (Kathleen Freeman). But one question remains to be answered: Who is Camille Ztdetelik (Carrie Fisher), and just what is she trying to do to Jake? Without question, this was a great gig for Belushi and Aykroyd, who to millions of people ARE, and will forever be, the "Blues Brothers." And forevermore shall they be linked in the memories of anyone who has seen this movie, heard their records or caught their act on SNL. Dan Aykroyd has gone on to have a successful and varied career in movies, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (for "Driving Miss Daisy" in 1989), while John Belushi, of course, left us quite suddenly and way too soon, just as his career was on the rise. Were they great singers? Of course not; but they were accomplished performers who sagely surrounded themselves with the best of the best, a "band's" band that really made this gig work, because the music worked. Add to that the energy, excitement and passion they themselves brought to it, and you have their formula for success, which can be measured by the strong following they still enjoy to this day. And what a pity that Belushi isn't around to realize it. Memorable in supporting roles are John Candy as Burton Mercer (who uttered the unforgettable line, "Orange whip? Orange whip?--); Henry Gibson as the steel-eyed head Nazi; Steve Lawrence, as agent Maury Sline; Charles Napier as Tucker McElroy, "Lead singer and driver of the Winnebago"; and Jeff Morris, who will always be remembered as Bob, owner of "Bob's Country Bunker," the place with "both" kinds of music, Country "and" Western. The additional supporting cast includes Steven Williams (Trooper Mount), Armand Cerami (Trooper Daniel), Layne Britton (The "Cheese Whiz"), Ralph Foody (Police Dispatcher) and John Landis (Trooper La Fong). Also, watch for cameos by Paul Reubens (Waiter), Frank Oz (Corrections Officer), Twiggy Lawson (Chic Lady) and Steven Spielberg as the County Clerk. A thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable movie, filled with memorable scenes and lines you'll be quoting for years to come (Aykroyd, in that "clipped" Elwood Blues delivery, to Tucker McElroy: "We'll, ah-- we'll talk to Bob--"), "The Blues Brothers" is a great film-- not in the sense of a film that should have walked away with a bagful of Oscars, but great for what it is and for the special place it holds in the history of the cinema. And, yes, it does have a place all it's own. Because a movie doesn't have to be "Citizen Kane," or "Gone With the Wind" to be "great." It's the ones that make you feel something for whatever reason, or make you laugh; the ones you remember because they're unique or have left their imprint on our culture in some way. So, check "All of the above," or add your own reasons. For all that it's worth, this is the magic of the movies.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent musical action comedy
Review: Movies made from Saturday Night Live material rarely succeed at expanding the characters into figures that are capable of holding down a feature length film. By drawing on the rich tradition of the blues, "The Blues Brothers" not only succeeds but excels. Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi are Elwood and Joliet Jake Blues, two brothers who hit the road to reassemble their old blues band and raise enough money to save the orphanage where they were raised. The musical sequences, performed by Ackroyd, Belushi, and a stellar cast of blues legends, explode with energy. It is clear that everyone involved with this project has a great love of this music; the result is an irresistable film.
Rating:
Summary: Still laughing at this one.
Review: This movie never gets old! It is still as funny as ever, and the extra footage even seems to add a little continuity. I come from a suburb of Chicago, and a great amount of the fun I have is in seeing old, familiar places being turned upside-down by the hilarious exploits of Jake and Elwood. A little-known fact of this cinema milestone is that it documents, with great care, much of Chicago's past look. The Maxwell Street sequence, alone,is a clearly-intended slice of the city's history. The beauty, and the cultural depth of Chicago, are fondly portrayed. And don't forget the music! I gotta tell you that this movie has soul, as well as humor. All-time great musicians are all over this work.
Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown, Cab Calloway, and don't forget John Lee Hooker! What a line-up, and what a sound!
Seriously good laughs, music, acting, and story. A real movie classic.
Rating:
Summary: A classic. What more can I say?
Review: The Blues Brothers have been subject to a fair amount of critical drubbing for their antics over the years. Many critics wrote them off as being two celeberties ripping off classic music as a capitalist money making scheme. I disagree. Yeah, their music was never up to the originals of the tunes they covered. But their was genuine heart to their performances, as well as respect for the music. And, in any event, the Blues Brothers were never about being the ultimate musicians. They have always been about having a good time. And it was something they did well. Never was this better demonstrated than in this classic 1980 feature film. Melding a wondeful deadpan humor with mosterous car chases and entertaining musical numbers (with some very fine guest appearences), Akroyd and Belushi have created a movie that has the viewer feeling good throughout (and probably laughing, as well). This is just a fun and funny film, plain and simple, and stands as one of my favorite comedies of all time. As an added bonus (and this'll get me killed by the blues purists), this film, along with its sadly weaker followup, introduced me to the blues and got me started playing harmonica (actually, that was the result of the cameo by Junior Wells at the end of the second feature). When all is said and done, this is one movie I wholeheartedly reccomend. There is too much good stuff here to pass it by.
Rating:
Summary: Some of the Greatest Comedy of All Time!
Review: John Belushi and Dan Akroyd prove to be one of the greatest musical, criminal,comedy, and acting duos of all time in this film. The Blues Brothers has been my favorite movie since the age of twelve. The mixture of comedy, music, dancing, car chases, politics, and religion is a perfect blend!
Rating:
Summary: How to break all the rules and still come out on top
Review: There are seven golden rules of cinema, and this film breaks all of them. 1. Don't give a fat guy the lead
2. Don't devote 90% of the budget to the car chase
3. Musicals made after 1960 don't work
4. Adaptations from television make bad movies
5. Don't have more than two or three guest stars
6. Mysoginy isn't funny
7. Nazis aren't funny So we should be grateful that Dan Ayckroyd and John Landis took up the challenge and made a film that crossed all of those boundaries. Belushi exudes charm and cool at the same time, while John Candy is an excellent good/bad guy (the distinctions become blurred!). The music is what makes the film truly great. I am sure you don't need me to list the guest turns, but it is remarkable that Cab Calloway, who had been appearing in The Cotton Club in the 1920s turns in the definitive performance of Minnie The Moocher at the age of 72. The other big star of the film is the dead-pan delivery of lines, with Ayckroyd and Belushi in particular excelling.
Rating:
Summary: We're on a mission from God!
Review: This movie is a riot. I've watched it a number of times and it still cracks me up. It's slapstick at it's best. I think it was Belushi's finest piece of work. It's definately a movie you want to keep in your collection. The bonus features are an added touch. It's a series of interviews relative to the film and it's people. A tribute to the talent on the old Saturday Night Live.
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