How much for the little girl? (The Blues Brothers (DVD))

Member Name: fuzzybear

Product:	The Blues Brothers (DVD)
Date:	23/01/08 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great line up of blues greats

Disadvantages: Wooden acting

Apparently when this film came out and was released at the cnema it was not a success however over time it has become a classic. Now I may be wrong but I also remember reading that at the time it also set the record for most cars destroyed in a car chase which happens towards the end of the film.

For fans of blues music this is a great musical comedy film, now much of the acting is rather wooden after all musicians don't always make the cross over (think Madonna or Sting) but the two lead characters are the late great John Belushi and Dan Akroyd who both turn in great comic performances as the brothers Jake and Elwood Blues, Jake is just out of jail after serving a stretch for holding up a store in an attempt to get money for their band, when they hear that the orphanage they both grew up in is faced with closure as it owes $5,000 in taxes they pledge the rather cruel nun that runs it to raise the money.

Hence they go on a journey to reform their band even though they have all moved on, at the same time they must avoid the police as Jake has broken the terms of his parole, a woman intent on killing Jake (Carrie Fisher), a redneck country and western band and the Illinois Nazi Party.

There are a whole host of top blues stars who make an appearence and often break into song, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker to name but a few. Naturally the soundtrack is top quality and there are also some great lines in the movie and some funny scenes, my personal favourite is when they get a gig in a country and western bar and they perform a rendition of Rawhide however Belushi and Akroyd in a top class restaurant is also hilarious.

If you can see past the rather mediocre acting then this is a fun film to watch and is very enjoyable, being a fan of blues music helps as well but there are some good comedy moments and a couple of superb car chases. Definately worth checking out on DVD.

Summary: Blues based musical comedy.