After building up the duo's popularity through recordings and several performances on
Saturday Night Live, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd--as "legendary" Chicago blues brothers Jake and Elwood Blues--took their act to the big screen in this action-packed hit from 1980. As Jake and Elwood struggle to reunite their old band and save the Chicago orphanage where they were raised, they wreak enough good-natured havoc to attract the entire Cook County police force. The result is a big-budget stunt-fest on a scale rarely attempted before or since, including extended car chases that result in the wanton destruction of shopping malls and more police cars than you can count. Along the way there's plenty of music to punctuate the action, including performances by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, and James Brown that are guaranteed to knock you out. As played with deadpan wit by Belushi and Aykroyd, the Blues Brothers are "on a mission from God," and that gives them a kind of reckless glee that keeps the movie from losing its comedic appeal. Otherwise this might have been just a bloated marathon of mayhem that quickly wears out its welcome (which is how some critics described this film and its 1998 sequel). Keep an eye out for Steven Spielberg as the city clerk who stamps some crucial paperwork near the end of the film. The widescreen DVD collector's edition includes an exclusive "making of" featurette, production photos, the original theatrical trailer, and interactive menus.
--Jeff Shannon
1 one of my all time favorites...
this is oftentimes in my top 5 movies, sometimes in my top 3, and others it is my favorite film... i think i first paid attention to it when i heard my dad watching it in the other room and cracking up hystirically.... i've probably seen this film over 50 times... i love everything about it... the musical performances... the story, the characters... everything... i love the religious themes... and lately i do view it as sort of a religious film... and how we can get closer to g-d and redemption through music... and how no "authorities" really matter when you're on a special mission... from the snl skits, to the film, and their live performances, the blues brothers will forever be an integral part of who i am..... the spirit of jake and elwood is inside me :)
2 Jake and Elwood sing the blues!
Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi first played their respective roles of Jake and Elwood Blues on NBC's Saturday Night Live in 1977 or '78. Their skit became so successful that they actually were given a recording contract by Atlantic Records. They even scored a few Top 20 hits such as Richard Berry's LOUIE LOUIE and WHO'S MAKING LOVE?. Aykroyd and Belushi left SNL after the 1978-79 season to concentrate on their Blues Brothers act and films,including this one. This film features a great supporting cast which includes Carrie Fisher,the late R&B legend Ray Charles and another R&B legend,Aretha Franklin.
3 *** DO - NOT - BUY!!! *** will be re-released this year!
This is a awesome movie, but these people are trying to rip you off!
This DVD is out-of-print because Universal is planning on releasing the 25th anniversary edition sometime this year. Wait for it, only and idiot would pay these fools.
Check out: http://www.bluesbrotherscentral.com
4 AN POPULAR CLASSIC!!!
Jake Blues(Jim Belushi) has just got out of the pen. Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd) is there to pick him up. Now it's a ride to see "The Penquin" (a nun played by the magnificent Kathleen Freeman). When they arrive, she tells them that the orphanage may be closed, and that they need money to keep it going. Jake makes a remark that causes the penquin to take out her yard stick, and send them scurrying out the door. Elwood makes it down, but jake takes a tumble. The penguin comes out and tells them not to return until they've redeemed themselves. While still at the orphanage, they come across an old friend who tells the pair that they need to go to church, and recommends a minister to them. Soon they find themselves at church. It is headed by Reverend Cleophus James (James Brown),who starts preaching, then, like in some cool churches, the Spirit of the Lord comes over him, and he starts to dance sing and shout, and then the whole congregation joins in. I've been in churches like this and thoroughly love them. In the old(and in the new) South, nothing can beat passing by an African American church on Sunday morning!!! Better yet, being there in the congregation!!! And in the movie, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Jake so strong, he too travels down the aisles of the church cutting cartwheels. He makes his way back to Elwood who is wondering what in the world has happened to Jake, who is shaking from head to toe. Jake let's him know that now he has the answer, the all inspiring answer to getting money for the orphanage...THE BAND!!! The two were once a part of an R & B band. Now Jake wants to get them back together and do some gigs to raise money for the orphanage. This sends Elwood to dancing in the aisles. This scene is perfectly choreographed, because it is just like it really is in certain churches...with one exception, the comical heights to which some of the men jump while they are feeling the Spirit. Now Jake and Elwood head out on a quest to find the rest of the band members and hit the road. A few of them are relunctant at first to join their old band, but Jake and Elwood's techniques in persuasion lead them to join.
But will the band get the money needed in time to keep the orphanage from being closed? You'll need to see the movie to find out. I own a vhs version of the film, and it is in my video library among my favorites. It is a very popular movie with loads (and I do mean LOADS) of stars in it. Ray Charles plays a shop owner who supplies the band with some of their instruments. Aretha Franklin plays one of the band member's wife. Carrie Fisher plays Jake's ex-girlfriend who's a tad bit "upset". Henry Gibson plays a Nazi who has it in for Jake and Elwood because they ran him and his men over a bridge and into a pond during a rally. In short, there are over 90 people who were either stars at the time or later became super stars or semi-popular stars. And there are so many comical scenes in this film, there are simply too many to mention. But a few that stick out in my mind are of course the church scene, then there is where Jake's ex uses a bazooka to try and kill him. There's the car chase that ends up going through a crowded mall (by the way, it was one of the costliest movie/car chase scenes in history), then there is the car chase involving crowds of lawmen. The car chase involving the Nazis' was a laugh riot, then of course there is the dance scene outside Ray's store.
There is a slight amount of strong language, but not enough to really concern anyone about. If you want a movie that is well liked by millions of people, that has lots of action, drama, music(Ray Charles Aretha Franklin and Cab Calloway each do a song in the movie), suspense, and loads of comedy, you are sure to want this spectacular film.
5 Blues Brothers / 1980
bass7187005 shipped promptly and tape is very good, like new.
Movie is a real classic. Thank you.
6 "The band, Elwood! The band!!"
So says John Belushi's character, Joliet Jake Blues to brother Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) after he "sees the light". The Godafther of Soul, James Brown, plays a high-spirited reverend leading the choir and congregation on "The Old Landmark." Before all this, Jake is released early from prison, and him and Elwood visit the Penguin, Sister Mary Stigmata (Kathleen Freeman) at the orphange where they were raised. They learn that the Church is no longer interested in keeping the orphanage, and the only way to keep it is if $5,000 is paid. They offer to help, but she doesn't want stolen money. The other part of their "family' is Curtis (Cab Calloway) who says that they need a little "Churching up". Once they experience Reverend Cleophus is where Jake gets inspired and joins the congregation dancing to the high-spirited gospel number. Him and Elwood are going to reunite their rhythm and blues band. They start recruiting and along the way, we see them jam with legendary musicians like Aretha Franklin who tells Matt "Guitar" Murphy to "think" before he goes back out with his "hoodlum friends." Yep, she breaks into that song. Play it loud! Before that as they ride through some sort of a street fair, they catch John Lee Hooker and his band playing that hot electric blues on "Boom Boom." I'd love to see him and his band in my town jamming. It sure looked like he was having a good time. These made music the way it was supposed to be: fun! Anyway, the Blues Brothers make an I.O.U. with Ray Charles at his music exchange on an electric piano. Ray and the B.B. band fully recruited jam an shake it up on "Shake Your Tail Feather." That is one of the best musical numbers ever in this film. There are people dancing in the streets and doing dances as Ray calls them off. Listen to the driving bass line. If that doesn't have you up and moving, you've lost the rhythm. Their first gig is unappointed and is at a country bar. They start on "Gimme Some Lovin" but the crowd grows angry. So they decide to "Rawhide" and "Stand By Your Man," which calms them down, sort of. The real "Good Ole Boys" arrive later and try to get back at the Brothers. Their real gig that's going to draw in the money is at a huge 5,000-seat auditorium. Cab Calloway and the band entertain the audience with "Minnie the Moocher". Watch when the song gets faster and Calloway scat sings with audience repeating the scats. Fun and funny. The Brothers finally arrive and the band plays "I Can't Turn You Loose." Oh, yeah, watch for an audience member similing directly at the camera. Look at me! They cut loose on "Everybody Needs Someone To Love". Oh, man, hot stuff! After the "Sweet Home Chicago" number, a record deal is made and they escape without being seen but bump into Jake's furious girlfriend (Carrie Fisher) and it's back to Chicago with the money with Nazis led by Henry Gibson, and a huge police force hot on their trail. Those are what enemies these pair of Robin Hoods make on the way. Watch the car stunts in this huge chase scene and the mammoth number of policmen, SWAT and armed forces clamoring into the destational office building. UNREAL! It's only a movie and they sure went all out on this with a mountain of a budget, but it paid off at the box office. What started out as a Saturday Night Live sketch became one of the most popular movies ever. For all music lovers; this has one of the most musically diverse soundtracks from blues to gospel to soul to R&B to latin to rock to country and even classical. Look out for the falling Pinto! Most memorable for the music. They made it fun and you'll be smiling and dancing through the musical numbers. Electrifying! "I need you, you, you..."
7 Aging strangely
Classic story about two obsessive Blues musicians, Jake and Elwood, who become fixated on reconstituting their band after Jake is released from a long prison stint. Their characters meet every seemingly insurmountable obstacle with the same deadpan bravado, and there is a revolving door of humor stemming from their characters, musical numbers featuring the great living blues icons, and action scenes, the emphasis being on Smokey and the Bandit-style police car chases. The action scenes are so dated that they're mildly comical; the music and the comedy have borne the years well.
8 Should Be 10 Stars
I'd say this is my favorite movie. The only movie that can compete with it, for me, is Back to the Future. This movie is very funny, The acting is superb, and on top of all that the music is terrific! There are appearences by Aretha Frankin, John Lee Hooker, Cab Calloway, James Brown and Ray Charles. The movie begins with Jake Blues getting out of jail and his brother Elwood coming to pick him up..... in a police car! Turns out Elwood traded their old Cadillac for a microphone and baught this police car second hand. After picking up Jake from jail, Elwood drives him to the orphanage where they grew up to visit the Nun who runs it.
Elwood: "You Promised you'd visit the Penguin the day you got out"
Jake: "Yeah... so I lied"
Elwood: "You can't lie to a Nun!" "We gotta go in there and visit the Penguin"
So, reluctantly, they go in to visit "Tht Penguin" During the visit they find out that the orphanage can't afford to pay it's $5,000 in property tax, and is going to be sold to the board of education. Jake and Elwood are determined to get the tax money before it's too late, and decide to get their old band back together to raise money for the orphanage(after the Sister refuses to take their stolen money). I recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of comedy and good music.
9 Truely a classic
But I am amazed at the price listings of $80-$150. Just wait until it is released again in 2005, will range in prices of $15-$20.
10 do not pay this much for this movie
this is a great movie but it is going to be rereleasing in a couple of months for only 19.99 do if you want to save alot of money do not buy it from the people on here you are getting ripped off
11 One Great Rip Snortin' Blues/R&B Drenched Comedy!
In a rare instance of a SNL skit translating WELL to big-screen (the only other exception being Wayne's World), John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd produced a hilarious high-speed wild-ride of non-stop laughs.
Completely throwing all known laws of physics out the window (witness the car jumps, surviving a transient hotel bombing, stealing an air-raid-siren et al), the Dynamic Duo of The Blues embarks on a do-or-die Mission From God to reunite their beloved band and save the orphanage that provided them a home growing up against all odds and obstacles? The odds and obstacles? Try the entire Chicago and Illinois state police forces, The Army, a local Neo-Nazi chapter, a hell-bent-on-violent-revenge former fiancee'(Carrie Fisher), a touring band that plays BOTH types of music (Country AND Western!)and a skeptical concert promoter (Steve Lawrence).
Some great guest appearances from Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Cab Colloway, John Lee Hooker and James Brown hold your interest as well as coutless police car pileups, hilarious encounters at Holiday Inns, and snooty French restaurants finding their old bandmates, disastrous gigs at redneck bars, Ackroyd's low-tech resourcefulness and a devastatingly hilarious mall chase that has to be seen to be believed! All throughout, you really get the feeling the two main characters LIVED the blues and not just played them.
It usre doesn't aspire to high art but it does aspire to hilarious fun and snappy action.
12 A Blissful Homage To Mayhem and Classic R 'N' B
Your first reaction to this film is to recoil at the destruction. You think, how much more damage can be done? Then director John Landis tops himself in the succeeding scenes. Unlike the film "1941" where the destruction was just pointless, there is a certain poetry to the chaos on display here. Not lost among the ruins are crackerjack production numbers by immortal r'n'b performers (Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown, Cab Calloway). Landis does not just give lip service to these performers he gives them an elaborate stage to show their stuff. I was a teenager when I first saw this film and it spurred my interest in this music. Even the Sam and Dave cassette tape that the brothers play in their car piqued my interest. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd are deliciously low-key as the brothers. Alot of good cameos in this film. Just tighten your seatbelts and enjoy the fun.
13 We're on a Mission from God
The Blues Brothers features Dan Akyrod and John Belushi(RIP) in thier comedy classic flim from their Saturday Night Live skit. Jake Blues(John Belushi)is released from prison and after that he tells his brother Elwood(Dan Akyrod) that he wants to put the band back together. Jake and Elwood go to all of these crazy adventures and it also features cameos from James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles(RIP) and more. It also features alot of musical numbers and great songs. I love this movie and it is up their in my DVD movie collection. I suggest you guys pick this movie if your looking for some laughs, or some music this is the movie for you!
Lady: Are you the police?
Elwood: No ma'am were musicans.
14 Destructive sequences are sometimes nasty in this film
It was ok for very comely Carrie Fisher's character to shoot at Jake and Elwood and blow up a store window but when she destroys the whole boarding house they live in that was just horribly gratutious on the writer's part and overblown (no pun intended). Another unnecessary bit comes when the Nazis car plummets in Chicago and (unnecessary bit) there's some fag talk between the nazis. Outside of these wrong bits it's a perfect film.
15 A new version coming out soon!
It's been rumored that a re-release for the 25th anniversary will be coming out, so nobody fret about the DVD no longer existing. As far as I know, it will be the orginal theatrical cut and much shorter, just for the musical numbers. So everybody just hold out for the anniverary edition and everything will be okay.
16 The original version beats the "collector's edition"
I love the VHS edition of this movie. The problem with this edition is that some of the added scenes add nothing to the movie, or are just lame and make a great film mediocre. It seems Mr. Landis caught "Lucas Fever" and decided to screw up the film. For, instance John Landis states in the liner notes something to the effect of "I don't know why the exploding gas station scene was dropped from the original film." Well, I know John----the scene is senseless and stupid. You shouldn't have put it in this version of the film.
The ending in this version is different also, showing tons of prison guards with rifles rushing into the mess hall where the now incarcerated Blues Brothers are playing Jailhouse Rock---way to turn the original hopeful, somewhat happy ending into an ominous downer, John. It is nice that he extends the musical scenes, but do we really need the scene where Elwood quits his day job? No, not at all.
I returned the Collector's Edition and got my money back. I never want to hear a director complain about having his creative freedom curtailed by a producer or "suit". It seems that most directors, when left to their own devices, take a good thing and screw it up.
17 It's a 106 miles to Chicago. We've got a full tank of Gas...
I'm just going to say that this is one of my all time favorite comedies. The fact that Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Johnny Lee Hooker, Frank Oz, Carrie Fisher, and Cab Calloway, join John Belushi and Dan Akroyd make this movie. Most everything about this fantastic film has prob. been covered a thousand times over.
To see a car do 120 + M.P.H in downtown Chicago under the EL, following several classic car chases, is amazing. One, near the end, includes a motorhome, and hundreds of police cars.
Great soundrack, one of the greatest collection of stars, speeding cars, and lot's of one liners.
Classic movie.
18 The Blues Brothers is the the Best Movie EVER
I only saw the idited the version but is the best movie ever.You cant Beat this!The music,the action,and a A plus for humor.(Were on mission from GOD,I want to by your children,I mean they smell bad).And the hipist pepole of the 70s and 80s.
19 CLASSIC
this is easily one of my favorite movies. it is a classic!!! its a shame that they stopped making it, but im glad i got mine before they stopped making it. this is a movie that has comedy, action, and believe it or not pretty good music. john belushi was a great comedian as he was an actor, it is a shame that he died before he could of made a lot more classics, including the 2nd blues brothers....so to summarize, if you dont have this movies try to get it anywhere or you will really miss out!
20 A hilarious comedy classic
"The Blues Brothers" has been criticised as being overlong, overstuffed and overhyped, but it's chock full of so much fun and so much great music that it's pure escapist nirvana. Our heroes (anti-heroes?) are Jake and Elwood Blues, inimitably played by Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi, on "a mission from God" to rescue the orphanage where they were raised from the wrecking ball. With one last whack of Sister's ruler sending them tumbling out into the street, they round up their old band piece by piece, and hit the road to raise funds. The Blues Brothers are consummate con artists, and 30 minutes into the film they have managed to fall afoul of the Chicago police force, the local neo-Nazi chapter, and a redneck singing group, not to mention Elwood's old girlfriend who's on a homicidal mission to blow him away. The mayhem starts early and escalates exponentially; there are enough car chases for three or four movies, including one inside a local mall which leaves it looking like the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, and it's nonstop action and laughs from the opening frames to the final credits.
But it's the music that really makes this movie. From James Brown playing a gospel preacher in a wild church service (there's a nice cameo by Chaka Khan in here) to Aretha Franklin playing the cantakerous owner of an inner-city diner, with appearances by John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, and the one and only Cab Calloway, the film is a showcase for some really great performances. The chase scenes are so over-the-top that they boggle the mind. The final chase, which must have wrecked half the cars in Chicago, has the entire Chicago police force (car, horse and boat), the U.S. Army, the local Nazis and a SWAT team after the Blues Brothers as they make a mad dash to the tax office to fulfill their "mission".
The producers seemed to want to get anybody and his brother into the action, and almost succeeded; in addition to all the above, there are some minor appearances by Frank Oz, Twiggy (remember her?) Carrie Fisher, John Candy, and Steven Spielberg. But when all is said and done, the real "star" of this film is a beat-up black-and-white police car commandeered by Elwood Blues, with a bajillion violations on it, which seems to be able to do everything but fly (and when you see it turning somersaults in the air, you'll think maybe it can fly, too).
The film is overdone in spots, but taken as a whole, it's a two-and-a-half hour joyride. Grab the popcorn, kick back and have a ball.
21 I feel good and you will too!
Here is one of the few movies in my lifetime that qualifies as a "feel good" flick, one where I left so fulfilled I actually missed the characters, story and fun when the movie is over, wanting it all back again. Fortunately, through the miracle of tape and DVD, you and I can both do that!
This production was the linchpin event for the Saturday Night Live characters that wore black suits and sunglasses before the equally fashion-challenged "Men In Black" showed up. Along with "Animal House", this flick reminds me what a great comedy career John Belushi would have had in cinema had he lived more safely (as long as he stayed away from bombs like "1941").
Back to the film...this is loaded with great music, music from many 20th Century ages, music that makes you want to hum, tap your toe, dance, delight, smile, kiss your girlfriend and say hello to God. The plot -- something about getting money for an orphanage -- is superfluous but the movie has memorable scenes and characterizations equal to the equally uninhibited "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World" from 1963.
A hyperactive musical street scene coming out of a music store -- led by the late Ray Charles doing a great blues tune -- is a typical venue in this film. Another time, Aretha Franklin takes a break from her waitress job to sing threateningly to Jake and Elmore. Still another time, Cab Calloway entertains kids so the brothers can get their cash to Chicago. In another scene, the Blues Brothers band does it up good in a honky tonk but drinks too much beer and ends up in a police-car-RV chase with some good old boys known as...the Good Old Boys!
This movie destroyed about 200 cars in and around Chicago and has one of the funniest car crash scenes and accompanying lines in American film history. The line is: "We're in a truck!" Watch the movie to get the joy from it. You'll laugh out loud and enjoy it almost as much as those Nazis driving off the end of the incomplete freeway overpass in Chicago!
If you want to experience mayhem disguised as two hours of uninhibited escapism filled with great fun, a thousand car chases and car crashes, lowlifes, ex-convicts and rednecks, and some of the best choreographed music sequences ever, buy, rent or borrow this DVD today and get set to ENJOY YOURSELF!
22 Unique and historical achievement
Unique, wonderful, hilarious.
"The Blues Brothers" holds up even better than one might have hoped. And that's a beautiful thing for one of the most unique movies ever made. Conceived, as Belushi once put it, as a show case for African-American music, the movie is exactly that and so much more.
I was moved to watch the "Shake Your Tail Feather" scene due to Ray Charles' recent death. The performance is so wonderful, so full of life; we have lost a true national treasure. But his amazing performance for the movie will live on forever. The soundtrack's 5.1 remix (including the reintegration of old footage cut from a preview at the Picwood Theater in LA. According to Landis, in the DVD's liner notes, the movie distributors complained no white people would see the movie!) is simply amazing. Even on my bargain set, it is crisp, pure and clean and is probably my candidate for best sound DVD ever. Landis again demonstrates his technical mastery, understanding of technology and choice of brilliant helpmates.
As the same Landis once put it, "Where else can a white kid see Cab Calloway, John Lee Hooker and James Brown in the same two hours?" He left out Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin as well as studio legends Steve "The Colonel" Cropper (who almost single-handed reintroduced cocaine to Hollywood, the number of people who began their addictions under his tutelage is frightening but no names here; you'll have to look it up yourself); and bass legend "Duck" Dunn, one of the greatest bassists of all times (sorry, Duck, my man, even you have to bow, with every other bassist, to Geddy Lee). Normally invisible, we get to see and here the Blues Brothers' amazing band. These studio legends get there fifteen minutes, often to hilarious effect. Willie "Too-Bit" Hall, the drummer even shows really comic talent, as does Dunn and "Mr. Fabulous," the horn man.
The movie also preserves the now destroyed Maxwell Street, one of the great centers of African-American music and R&B and one of the seedbeds of rock n roll. This is the only place anyone can see Maxwell Street in its prime. In a sense the movie is also a historical document, preserving those people and places who have left us.
The plot is almost irrelevant, beside the almost hysterical comedy and stunning musical performances (Calloway and Franklin never did BETTER jobs on their two signature classics), but there is a story there. The cameos are hilarious as well, from Carrie Fischer (who has said she quit coke because Belushi, on set, one day pointed at her and said, "You're becoming just like me." On that note, Robin Williams also says his visit to Belushi on his ultimate night helped him give up the Life that took his friend) and the Keystone Nazis the Boys have to avoid in their quest to save their childhood home, a dilapidate orphanage on Chicago's South side. The "Flight of the Pinto" scene is not to be missed. And be sure to listen for the tell-tale mating call of a most un-endangered species, "hut-hut-hut."
A movie for the ages. It also highlights the bitter tragedy of Belushi's self-destruction. One can only imagine what a sobered and cleaned-up Belushi could do when he did this movie whilst doing 4 grams of coke a day, dropping acid, downers, booze, marijuana (all of this is in Boobward's sensationalist "biography" of Belushi called "Wired"). Unlike other famous drug addicts and alcoholic (Monroe, Presley, Dean) Belushi's fortunately has been taken as a warning sign of Hollywood excess and hasn't lead to his apotheosis.
Despite his tragic end, the movie is one of the few that, no matter my troubles I can put this movie in the DVD player and know I will be smiling in mere minutes. As I smile now, writing this.
Every American teenager should see this simply for the musical numbers alone. The word classic is misused as often as the word "hero" these days, but it's not misused here. What could have been the umpteenth bad iteration of "Animal House" instead attained the temporary immortality of the true classic. Belushi's been gone for more than twenty years now, but the brilliant John, the hilarious John, the gifted performer John Belushi will live on forever.
And, wherever you are John that has to make you smile.
23 One-of-a-Kind Musical
The musical was so out of favor by 1980 that had Universal advertised "Blues Brothers" for what it was it would have done even more poorly at the box-office than it did. But time has righted that wrong and Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi's wacky star turn has taken it's place beside the other great examples of this unique American film art. It's too long, the colossal car chase near the end is a bore, and it's based on the mistaken notion that church property in America is taxed (something Canadian Ackroyd, the main scriptwriter, apparently assumed and nobody else caught). But there are so many other wonderful moments of singing and dancing and left-field comedy that everything else is forgiven and then some. Directed by the erratic John Landis, who's main signature as a director is some of the best photography in the history of the American movies.
24 The Best Movie!
This movie is the best! Simply the best movie! Lots of Blues music, lots of Elwood and Jake dancing, and tons of car chases because their always running away from the cops! But remember-they'll never get caught, they're on a mission from God. I think everyone should get this and watch this over and over! The performances are great, the singing, and the dancing! You'll love this movie, and it'll become your favorite! If not, It sure has been added to my DVD collection, and it's been my favorite movie now for over three months, and I watch it all the time!
25 American Music and dance
I have heard about this movie for years, and thought it was for the young wild crowd. After accidentally catching it on cable, I loved the music, especially the song and dance scene on the stage runway. I will add it to my video collection soon. Thank you.
Senior citizen music lover
26 great movie
This is a movie about two guys who are on a mission from god, to get back the blues brothers. This movie actually has a lot of action and shooting. And it's reall funny. Also here appear some big names in music like john lee hooker, ray charles, james brown, and aretha franklin. It's a really good movie. Highly recommended.
27 Uh Oh, Better Call Maaco!
Why watch a 1980 movie?
* Great music
* Great car chases and crashes
* John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Steve Cropper, Carrie Fisher, John Candy, Twiggy, Frank Oz, Chaka Khan, John Lee Hooker, Steven Spielberg, and many more
* A funny plot as strong as the characters
You've heard about the car chases and pileups? Besides the massive crunching and flying of vehicles, they show you the real Chicago as well as the landmarks. As chases go, I have never seen a better one. It is like "Starsky and Hutch" times 250.
Seeing Cab Calloway is a high point. He was 73 when the movie came out, and told a younger generation that "Minnie the Moocher" was a red hot hoochie-coocher. His fame was mostly in the 1940s but his swagger still remained.
Many of the actors with bit parts are surprising. Steven Spielberg and Chaka Khan sneak in there, as does Frank Oz. Calloway, Belushi, Candy, Hooker are gone from this life, and James Brown's career is stymied by personal troubles. The movie has all of them together.
Everything is about Jake and Elwood's mission from God. That's how they see their goal of raising money for an orphanage. They only know one way of making legit cash, and that's through music. Jake has been incarcerated and so the Blues Brothers band broke up. Jake and Elwood gather up the old member one by one, and finally talk their way into a gig. There are enough police who would see it another way, and other bands, old girlfriends, Nazis and wives getting in the way, and into some of the most fun that ever hit Lower Wacker.
The extras on the DVD are interesting. The documentary is the only real value, considering John Belushi's untimely death. The sound lacks in depth and stereo quality. You can make up for this by buying the soundtrack.
I fully recommend "The Blues Brothers."
Anthony Trendl
28 LOVE IT
This is one of my all time favorite movies. I saw it a week ago and totally fell in love with it. I'm hoping Amazon gets a new shipment soon because I want to buy it SOOO bad.
29 Funny
'The Blues Brothers' was a funny movie when I saw it about 10 years ago.
30 Four fried chickens and a coke
There is nothing I can say about this movie that has not already been said. If you don't own or have never seen it--Get it immediately. This movie is a classic and it never gets old and it is always funny. What I love about this movie (aside from the music, the dialogue, the characters, the setting, the plot, etc, etc) is the realism of it all. It's one of those rare movies that presents itself as the real world, never breaks stride, and plays the whole thing straight, which is what makes it great and believable. I will ssy that The Blues Brothers is my favorite movie of all time and that The Blues Brothers 2000 is one of the worst, most pathetic, deplorable, disgusting sequels ever made. It's like the best vs. the worst.
31 I Love This Movie!
Being a fan of SNL, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd I watched The Blues Brothers when I was a kid and I loved it. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd are wonderful as Jake and Elliot Blues and this movie has some good music and was very funny and the car chase scenes are amazing especially the one where they wind up in a mall. I had this movie on video and I want to buy the widescreen DVD and I very highly recommend this movie!
32 Akroyd & Belushi at their finest!
This action/comedy is one of my all-time favorites. The comedic chemistry between Belushi & Akroyd is great! I would recommend this movie to any fan of great comedy. Not a movie for children!
33 One of the greatest movies ever made
The Blues Brothers is one of those movies everyone should see at one time or another in their lives.
Blues Brothers is a simple story. Jake(Belushi) has just gotten out of jail and re-united himself with brother and bandmate Elwood.(Akroyd) The Blues Brothers have just found out the orphanage they grew up is going to be sold and they have to stop that from happening. They have a couple of days notice to get $5,000 or it'll be gone. But how can they fail, They're on a mission from God.
This movie has some of the greatest chemistry between actors that you will ever see. Jim Belushi and Dan Akroyd are great. Words don't give these guys the credit they deserve though. They stared, wrote, and actually played and sung the music in this. There characters are some of the most memorable in film history and both are pop cultre icons. Their easily the greatest SNL skit to ever go to the big screen and this is a must for anyone who considers themself a fan of either actor.
The music is awesome in this movie. You have to love a movie that has Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, James Brown, and Ray Charles in it. The Blues Brothers and their band are awesome as well. This movie could be considered a musical and it has some of the best ever.
This one is also one of the first movies to have hit stars in short cameos in it. Carrie Fisher, Steven Spielberg, Frank Oz, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, James Brown, John Candy, and Ray Charles all have good ones and there are pleanty of other guys you'll recognize.
I don't think I've ever seen more crashes in one movie either. If you love high speed crashes and chases you'll like Blue's Brothers just for it.
Blues Brothers is one of the all time greats. Director John Landis(Three Amigos, Trading Places, Animal House) called this the greatest action musical chase explosion movie you will ever see. He's totally right and I garuntee you will love this one.
34 This movie is great --- THE MUSIC
I liked this movie a lot, very funny classic. The only thing that would keep me from watching it again would be the music. The music was very corny. I just don't agree with two people having a conversation then all of sudden start dancing & singing at eachother. If you like music & comedy, buy this film. If you just want to see a funny comedy, rent this movie & keep the fast forward button handy.
35 Just sit back and enjoy it!
This is my favorite movie; no matter how many times I see it, I feel great after watching it. The story is almost there (but somehow, it all works, on a very "Blues Brothers" level) but the exuberance and THE SOUNDTRACK is without equal. Period.
36 One wild ride!!!
This movie still has me in stitches after all these years. I love the musical numbers with Ray Charles, James Brown and Aretha Franklin. The chase scenes are an all time classic, right up there with "Bullitt" and "The French Connection". It's a classic comedy that was not appreciated when it came out the first time in 1980, but it grew as a cult classic!
37 was this supposed to be an action or a comedy.
I couldn't tell. It was like either the lamest action ever or the most serious comedy ever. either way it was bad.
38 one of a kind even after 20 years!
When I heard that Blues Brothers was part musical/part comedy I was a bit skeptical about it because I am not a fan of musical movies. Much to my surprise, Blues Brothers turned out to be a great movie with humor, good music, and shows some of the best car chases that I have seen to this day! The Blues Brothers are on a mission from a Nun to collect money for a good cause even though one has served time in prison, the other has a suspended drivers license while still breaking traffic laws, and both end up getting pursued by the police throughout the movie. Though the restored footage on the extended DVD version is a little slow paced at the beginning, the Blues Brothers is a classic that is sure to entertain. (rated R for some profanity)
39 The rare classic chase + musical + comedy combo
The red Pinto stationwagon launches majestically off a highway construction ramp into the clean morning air. As Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries blares in the background, the car begins its impossible 15 second descent against the skyline of wakening Chicago. The henchman passenger turns to Henry Gipson's character, the head of the Illinois Nazi Party, and says simply, "I've always loved you". Moments earlier two men in black suits, hats, and sunglasses did a back flip in their vintage police car, traded for a mic, over that same Pinto and sped off. Welcome to the world of the Blues Brothers. The dispatching of the Nazis is perhaps my favorite part, the incredulous looks on their faces as they plummet, coupled with the sly nod to 2001 Space Odyssey as the foreground rushes past them. Belushi's Jake, released from prison reunites with Aykroyd's Elwood. Visiting their childhood orphanage home, they are informed that it needs $5000 in tax money or it will close. Spurred on by a spiritual awakening, their `mission from God' sees them reuniting their blues band to play and come up w/ the money. They slowly collect their prior band-mates, lifting them from their current dreary existences [lounge acts, fry cooks, etc.] while performing musical numbers with blues greats like James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, etc. Once reunited they play a couple gigs including the infamous cowboy bar. Along the way they collect a not inconsiderable number of people who want them either dead or behind bars. Departing the last gig, they have to get the money to the tax assessors dept. by mid morning. This sets up one of cinema's greatest car chases. The Blues Brothers features great music and nice pacing. The DVD includes some scenes not available for some time that don't hinder the production. While the Blues Brothers themselves are cartoons in their black suites; there is a moment of sweet humanity when Belushi takes off his glasses to plead for his life. The film works on a variety of levels and is recommended.
40 On a Mission from God
Honestly, this is one of the best movies I have ever seen. The movie is about to broters, Jake and Elwood Blues who were in a band, but it was boken up after Jake was sent to jail. On the day that he came back, a nun who raised him needs $5,000 to keep her orphanage running. So, the Blues Brothers must put there band back together to get the money. This leads to the most bizare, hillarious, and my favorite car chases of all time. This movie is a must see and buy. It is true, the extra time makes the movie seem drawn out, but it's ok. I would recommend you buy the dvd and rent the original on vhs. So overall, great, great movie.
41 "We're on a mission from God"
The Blues Brothers is a true classic movie, one of the few SNL movies that is actually a good story. Joliet Jake is recently released from prison and picked up by his brother Elwood. The two discover that the orphanage they grew up in is going to be sold to the Board of Education unless they can raise $5,000 to give to the State Assesors office. The Blues Brothers try to get the money by putting their band back together and doing a few gigs. Along the way, they anger the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Nazi Party, the owner of Bob's Country Bunker, and a band from Nashville, the Good Ole Boys. This movie is great from beginning to end. The musical numbers are all great including Jake's revelation in the church, Ray Charles singing Shake Your Tail Feather, Aretha Franklin singing in her soul food diner, the peformance in Bob's Country Bunker, and finally the concert at the end including two of their best songs. As well, there is action galore from Elwood jumping a bridge with their 1974 Dodge Sedan to their chaotic ride through a crowded mall to the police chase at the end through the streets of Chicago( especially Lower Wacker Drive) and the chase up the staircase to the Assessor's office. The Blues Brothers has something for everybody and should not be missed.
The Blues Brothers are played to perfection by John Belushi as Jake and Dan Aykroyd as Elwood. The two actors are hysterical together throughout as they anger just about everybody in the city of Chicago. There are far too many lines to mention, but it is obvious that they had fun making this movie. There are plenty of musical cameos also including Cab Calloway, James Brown as a preacher, Aretha Franklin as the owner of a Soul Food diner, Ray Charles as the owner of music store, and John Lee Hooker as a street peformer on Maxwell Street. The film also stars Carrie Fisher, John Candy, Kathleen Freeman, Henry Gibson, and many more. Also look out for a very funny cameo by Frank Oz and a short appearance by Steven Spielberg. Also worth mentioning is the Blues Brothers band including Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Murphy Dunne, "Blue Lou" Marini, Tom "Bones" Malone, Steve "The Colonel" Cropper, Alan Rubin, and Willy "Two Bits" Hall. The Collector's Edition DVD offers widescreen presentation, the original theatrical trailer, a making of documentary with interviews with the cast and crew, and footage not seen since the original release in 1980. This is a great movie that all viewers will find something to like in it. Do not miss this classic!
42 Small Town White Boy Blues
The Blues Brothers served as my introduction to the Blues. Sure it's a little pathetic, but ask any small town White boy blues fan under the age of 30, and you'll be suprised how many of us share the same memory. Jake and Elwood are a pair of somewhat criminal, blues musicians on a mission from God to raise money to save an orphanage while simultaneously trying to not be killed by a jilted Carrie Fisher.
OK Forget the plot...the fact is that this movie is fun. It has cameos by everyone from Boom Boom John Lee Hooker to Jelly Legs James Brown. Let us not understate that this is the only SAT. Night Live skit-to-movie that works. Where Wayne's World is Marginally watchable, this one is genuinely funny. Every other example should pulled from their respective canisters and burned in a huge public ceremony immeditely after being used to hang everyone involved in their production (and perhaps knotted in order to provide Chevy Chase with a brutal flogging)
In other words this film is worth owning. It makes you want to be a Blues Man. Really, what more can you ask from a movie?
43 Dissapointing to the true BB enthusiast.
Yes, its great that Universal FINALLY released this movie on DVD, but they really should have included with it a copy of the originally edited film. I love this film so much that I will have to go buy a VCR just to watch my old wore out copy of BB (my 4th copy lol) because the unedited one just screws up the whole flow and feel to the movie. The extended scenes are interesting, but this movie is NOT the blues brothers. My recommendation to you, if by some chance you havent seen it yet is to buy this film on VHS first, watch it, then get the DVD....
44 THE best film ever!!!!
Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, probably the best SNL cast members ever (along with Gilda Radner) play Elwood and Jake Blues in this comedy that I never get bored of watching. The story is engaging, the acting is great, the car chases are, well...expensive and the music is amazing. I strongly recommend this to anyone and if you have yet to see it I envy you. You're in for a real treat.
45 This Movie Is Funny
When i Heard about this movie coming out my dad took me to go see it and i loved it its funny jake and elwood blues 2 brothers on a mission trying to reunite there blues band after 3 years and to make matters worse jake and elwood gets chased by the state and chicago police plus illinois nazis it is so funny i loved it
46 All about the music...
The Blues Brothers is a great movie, but it's all about the music! If you get into it, you will soon be clicking your fingers to the catchy tunes, especially such tracks as 'Shake a Tail Feather' with the legendary Ray Charles and 'Sweet Home Chicago', the song at the end of the movie.
The car chases are great, considering it was the early 80s and there was no computer-enhancement, the plot is good enough and there are some real killer jokes along the way, including my favourite line "We're not police ma'am, we're musicians."
John Belushi and Dan Akroyd are excellent as the leads on a self-described 'mission from God', with a star-studded list of musical guests, and the DVD also offers a very interesting 'Making of' feature that goes back to how the Blues Brothers started as a band before the movie.
If there is one aspect of this film that makes it better than most comedies, it is the great blues music.
Guaranteed to entertain you, and is an essential part of any real DVD collection!
47 Best blues music video - bar none.
When I first saw this film at the time of it's release I thought how did a couple of Saturday Nite Live people get to surround themselves by so many blues artists, do blues performing themselves and not create something that was a musical joke. Well I didn't know nuttin at the time, I'm better now. It turns out Belushi and Aykroyd were/are serious blues aficionados and they basically gave/give work and exposure to the ongoing blues scene. So this movie is not ... white guy stuff. It's a real blast from beginning to end, with lots of music both background and on camera performance. Naturally it's a comedy about the angst of modern times as experienced by two white blues men so there's lots of hyperbole concerning cop cars, shopping centers and transient living spaces and a certain supermodel of the time.
The DVD is super expensive but well worth it considering the quality of the VHS. Keep them doggies rollin.
48 I want the original version!
I love The Blues Brothers. This is one of the all-time great comedies; a truly epic comedy. In it's original form, it is flawless from beginning to end. Five Stars easily.
Unfortunately, this "Special Edition" dvd includes 15+ minutes of scenes. Not under a "deleted scenes" section, which would have been appropriate and very welcome, but inserted into the movie itself. To be fair, the extra footage doesn't really hurt the music scenes. But did we really need to see Elwood at his place of employment? Did we really need to see where the Blues-mobile is stored when not being driven? None of the extra footage adds anything to the movie. In fact, it really ruins the perfect pacing of the regular cut.
I truly hope Universal sees the error of their ways and reissues this film on DVD with the original cut. They could even make the added footage viewable within the movie, through seamless branching, but for the love of Pete, give us the option!!!
49 Best movie ever!!!
This movie stands alone as one the greatest of all time. Timeless music, legendary musicians, and drop dead humor occupy every second of this fabulous movie! I've seen this movie 54 times, and I am still nowhere close to being sick of it. The only thing that bothers me is that such a horrible sequel followed it! Let's all pretend that doesn't exist, and just let this masterpiece stand alone.
50 A classic!
Absolutely great movie! Wonderful story line, Killer sound track, a band with actual musicians with talent to burn, cameos by some of the greatest ever to grace a stage, and a 100 car wrecks to boot. What more could you want?
It is everything that Blues Brtothers 2000 wasn't. Avoid the sequel, stick with the original.
51 My All-Time Favorite (Almost)
This movie brings back so many memories of my youth. It is on my Top 5 all-time favorites. But, I was a little distressed to see that the DVD does not offer the option of watching the original theatrical release. Instead they have added the deleated scenes directly into the film, which is distracting for someone who knows this film as I do. Mind you, I am not complaining about the extra footage, especially the extended jam by John Lee Hooker on Maxwell Street, but the added footage can detract from the overall enjoyment of this classic. Thus, while the film rates a 5++++, the DVD gets a 4.
52 If you loved the Blues Brothers, you need this DVD
If you loved the original film, this disk just improves upon great movie. The restored scenes truely add to the story and lengthen several of the musical numbers back to their full length.
53 Helloooo Boys!......
This review refers to the Universal Widescreen(Digitally THX Mastered) VHS edition of "The Blues Brothers".....
Saturday Night Live Alum together with a Who's Who list of the greatest Rhythm and Blues artists ever assembled in one film, make for one very entertaining, funny, action packed musical.The hard part of this review is keeping myself from revealing every funny line, and all the classic scenes that came from this film(and also all the great cameo performances you'll spot throughout the story).For those too young to remember this classic comedy, or if you haven't seen it for a while let me just refresh your memory(just a little).....
Jake "Joliet" Blues(the late great John Belushi)has just been released from prison. Brother Elwood Blues(Dan Aykroyd) picks him up and they're off to fullfill a promise to visit "The Penguin". Sister Mary Stigmata(Kathleen Freeman), the head nun at the Catholic Orphanage where they grew up informs them that the Orphanage will have to close down unless she can come up with the Five Thousand Dollars neccessary to pay the property taxes.No problem for "The Blues Brothers", they'll have the money she needs by tommorrow. But NO! NO! NO!, she does not want their filthy bank robbery money, and they are not to return until they can "redeem themselves"!
While on a visit to church, where you'll find James Brown as The Reverend Cleophus James leading the congregation in song, Jake literally "sees the light!".They'll just put "The Blues Band" back together for one big night and raise the money for "The Penguin" and the Orphanage. Getting the band back together is easier said than done though.Along the way, we are treated to some musical performances by these great names..Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and even Chaka Khan. The hysterical action also heats up as they make enemies all along the way. They are being chased by the cops,the Nazis(led by one very funny Henry Gibson), and a very angry ex-girlfriend(Carrie Fisher) who has a thing for Flame Throwers. They leave a path a destruction in their wake that is unsurpassed in chase scenes.
It's a riotous romp, directed by John Landis(Animal House/Trading Places), that will leave you wanting more..and luckily...there's a sequel! "Blues Brothers 2000", which has the terrific addition of John Goodman to the cast.This VHS tape is terrific. Not only does it have a great picture in the original widescreen image(1.85:1), but the sound is digitally mastered, and is excellent in the stereo surround. There are even a couple of bonus features on this edition. There is the "Making Of" the sequel, talking with all the stars about coming back to do it again, and after the credits, you'll find the "making of" for the original, which clues you in on lots of little trivia details.
If you're looking for something really funny, something with a great music, a great script, and one that will be a terrific addition to your classic comedy collection, look no further, you've found it! And don't forget to look for all the great cameos along the way..(I think I restrained myself pretty well from giving them away... don't you?)
Have a great time with this one and maybe you too will "see the light".......Laurie
54 A classic
You need to see this movie. The extras included are well worth it
55 An American Classic!
The best of the SNL movies ("Wayne's World" a close second.) The DVD is excellent and includes a scene in the movie where Elwood quits his job at an adhesives plant - which I had never known of but helps explain a stunt later in the flick.
The documentary was made while they were promoting the awful "Blues Brothers 2000" and is pretty good, although it's obvious Dan Akroyd is pretty full of himself.
The music is great, the comedy still funny, and the catchphrases are the stuff of legend! An essential for your collection.
56 They're on a mission from God...
It is appropriate that the music supervisors and choreographers are credited first in this film. Surely they did the most work, and it shows. This film is by far one of if not the very best comedy-musical I have ever seen. Loaded with laughs as well as some very excellent musical numbers and a climactic car chase too good to miss, this film is a comedy gem from director John Landis and stars Dan Akroyd and John Belushi. There are several laugh-out-loud moments as well as get-up-and-dance tunes. It's so fun, so energized, and so hip that disliking this movie is impossible! This would make a great family movie if it weren't for the frequent language. When the Blues Brothers finally get to their concert and start to sing "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," I was clapping and cheering. Never has a film excited me and made me feel as good as "The Blues Brothers." It's a surefire hit and definite classic!
57 5 stars for movie; three for this DVD
The Blues Brothers is one of my favorite movies. Unfortunately, they ruined it in this version by including scenes that were cut with good reason.
I keep hoping they'll release a DVD of the original movie without the dubious 17 extra minutes, but so far no luck. :o(
58 Movie and DVD Review.
"The Blues Brothers" is one of the best 80's movies I have ever seen! John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd are awesome here! Belushi and Aykroyd star as Jake and Elwood Blues who want to raise the money by putting their band back together and staging a large gig. The DVD is great. The picture and sound quality are wonderful. The extras are superb including the documentary and the production photographs. If you own a DVD player, you must own "The Blues Brothers". I think you won't be disappointed.
59 What a great goof
Wonderfully entertaining film, over and over again. Obviously these guys, Dan Ackroyd and the late John Belushi are having a great time. They took to the big screen a great "Saturday Night Live" skit and white blues afficionados "Joliet" Jake and his brother Elwood Blues.
Upon Jake's release from prison, he and his brother get together and reunite their band. The purpose is to raise money for the orphanage where they grew up. The task is sufficiently bumbled for them to engender the wrath of the Chicago and Illinois police and the Nazi party. We get extended car chases, random destruction and more general disarray than any other two or three
films need.
But it is the music which makes the film and the musicians making it. Super performances by John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, and of course, the Godfather of Soul as Rev. Cleophus James (who shows Joliet Jake the Light in a rollicking church service). They are backed by the BAND, comprised of Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn (of Booker T and the M.G.'s, Murphy Dunne, Willie Hall, Tom Malone, Lou Marinni, Matt "Guitar" Murphy and "Mr. Fabulous" trumpeter Alan Rubin.
Great music, more than a few laughs. We don't need much more.
60 Good movie.
This Movie is good every once in a while. I think that you will like it. It's a good movie. But, Definitely not for kids though!
Rating: R For Language
61 If you love the Blues Brothers, you'll love thsi video!
I have searched for a long time for a copy of this video and it's worth all the effort. After years of watching commercial-inundated versions, I had forgotten how much fun the uncut original could be. Definitely worth adding to your video library.
62 Superb
Blues Brothers starts out when Jake Blues(Belushi) is released from jail and picked up by his brother Elwood Blues(Akroyd). They are called to their childhood "home" an orphanage led by "The Penguin", a mean old nun. She gives them a "divine mission". They have to collect 5.000 $ that the orphanage owes the government in taxes. From here the story picks up, as the Blues Brothers try to get together their old outfit in order to raise the money for their childhood home.
This movie is filled to the brim with blues legends in supporting roles: Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and James Brown...
Belushi and Akroyd seem to support each other perfectly all the way through the movie, which includes propably THE most destructive car chase in history.
Alot of people get a punch; Nazi's, country musicians, paramilitary units(SWAT) and the police...noone are exempt from the humor of the blues brothers.
This is one of those rare movies that hit right home, and it seems like a flawless pearl, when looking at through the large library of mediocre humor around.
Get the movie, and do yourself a favour and get the soundtrack too.
63 My Favorite Movie Ever
I love this movie. It is graced by the presence of Aretha Franklin and James Brown. It has great music, and is hillarious and fun
A CLASSIC!
It's 105 miles to Chicago. We got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses
64 Godliness Accomplished
Jake and Elwood Blues are on a mission from God. Save the orphanage which they were raised in. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd are the brothers in black and try to raise money for the biggest blues concert ever. They try to get their band back together and stay out of a crazy woman's trigger range. A church enlightens them and many people do backflips! You better give Aretha Franklin some respect, buddy! The music will have you jumping on your feet and clapping. Oh yes, brother! Testify! I have seen the light! "The Blues Brothers" is the best musical to have ever hit the big screen. The car chases are memorable and the race to the bank at the end is history. 'Hut Hut Hut Hut Hut Hut,' yes! The brothers were chased by cowboys, an ex-wife, police, S.W.A.T. teams and more! Too bad the sequel isn't as inspiring.
65 A True American Classic
This is how I remember Chicago before it became a truly world-class city. Today, this movie, on this scale, could never again be made in Chicago. I remember when it was made: the whole city was shut down and people were amazed that Hollywood had come to our town. This is the last great American film musical, featuring of course, the blues of Chicago which are Delta Blues spiced with twangy guitar riffs. The movie's transformation onto DVD is nothing short of a triumph of technology. The music is now more than ever before an integral part of the movie. Where else can you get Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker and countless other soul and blues stars all together in one place? And have the music coming at you like they were all in your living room. Belushi was a comic genius. Clearly out of control, mad. Ackroyd's antics and stage presence seeped and played off of Belushi. He was too bright a star; too fast for his own good. But he left us with this film, a true American Classic.
66 ...it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses
This DVD is the Director's Cut of the film. That means 17 minutes of extra footage is included making the film a good 17 minutes too long. The added material just makes the pacing falter and so, ironically, the VHS release displays a better film. But, with that gripe out of the way, this is one fun film.
Jake and Elwood Blues are the creation of Saturday Night Live veterans Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi. They took the first step to the big screen amongst the countless other Saturday Night Live and SCTV characters (The CONEHEADS, WAYNE'S WORLD, ONE NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY, SUPERSTAR, THE LADIES MAN, STUART SAVES HIS FAMILY and STRANGE BREW amongst them.) And THE BLUES BROTHERS is the film to compare all of these too. That is bad news for them because this is an entertaining musical comedy. Filmed with the gritty look of a drama, the musical is indeed a surprise but with Jake and Elwood as 'musicians', what else can you expect.
The storyline follows the brothers as they try to raise money to save an orphanage. This means putting the band back together. As they piece it all back together, they encounter more colorful characters looking to block their success. John Candy, Charles Napier and Carrie Fisher take their hunt seriously. They also encounter assistance by Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway and Frank Oz amongst them. There are even small appearances by Paul "Pee Wee Herman" Reubens as a waiter and Steven Spielberg as a clerk in the finale. Now, this is Aykroyd and Belushi's film as they nonchalantly ignore life-changing catastrophes. Director John Landis brings these huge occurrences to the screen like a master. You can just feel the fun put into this production.
The greatest charm in the film is the musical numbers. Wherever the boys go, people just seem to break out into infectious song. You'll find yourself tapping along. With the exception of the `restored' material, this is a nice DVD with a good video transfer and audio transfer that'll put your receiver to the test. Also a recent making-of documentary is included. If you get a chance to join Jake and Elwood, I recommend it.
They're on a mission from God.
67 They Were on a Mission From God.............
When I first saw The Blues Brothers, I expected to see a typical comedy with nothing else to offer. I was very wrong. You are taken along for a wild ride with Jake Blues (John Belushi) and Elwood Blues (Dan Akroyd). The two brothers have to reassemble theri band within a week, get enough "gigs" to earn $5000 to help the orphanage where they were raised stay in operation. All the while they make enemies from Nazis, rednecks, and of course the police.
Like the shark in Jaws, the music in The Blues Brothers steals the show as the star. Like "China Town", which had a cast all at their prime, The Blues Brothers have many great comedians and musicains in their prime. John Belushi, Dan Akroyd, John Candy, Cab Calloway, Carrie Fischer in great comedic roles. The Blues Brothers Band (which is a real band), Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Jams Brown, and many others in great musical roles.
Special Features are great, including trailors and a feature about the making of the film that also has a chapter selection.
Bottom Line:
The Blues Brothers is a gem, both comedically and musically. It's a cult classic like "Animal House" and gives us a chance to see departed talents John Belushi, Cab Calloway, and John Candy. If you want a film to fall in love with and a great DVD, Blues Brothers needs to be on your shopping list. This is a very lovealbe film that I would recommend to everyone.
68 It's the Music, Stupid!
I was a huge fan of the original screen version and had watched the VHS version which was disappointing due to the quality of the film and the size of my screen. I recently saw this DVD at a friends house with the big screen, home theater experience and was amazed at how well the comedy and music stand up to today's standards! This is still one of the finest films of the 80's and the best action/musical ever. The DVD version illustrates this perfectly.
69 An excellent movie, and lots of goodies
This was one of the first DVDs I got, for a reason. I love this movie -- it has energy and panache, not to mention some absolutely fabulous music. As I'm sure some blurb somewhere on this Amazon page mentions, the story concerns two blues-singing brothers who are trying to raise money for a good cause. Along the way, they interact with a ton of interesting people (including Carrie Fisher, Frank Oz, Aretha Franklin, and others), perform a lot of great blues, and destroy a lot of property. Mayhem and hilarity seem to thicken around the two leads, whose chemistry is undeniable. The movie feels nothing like some SNL folks' movies can feel -- it's a movie, with depth. I had no idea the Blues Brothers were a sketch originally!
Since I probably just told you a bunch of stuff you already knew, I'll step along to the DVD itself. Those who already own the movie on VHS might want to consider this addition to their DVD library -- the goodies are lots of fun, including an extensive "making of" feature.
70 The blues at its best
The Blues! The reason there are dvd's. John and Dan. Are on a mission from God. They want the band back. The do anything to get it back and play anywere to play. The extra's really give you a insight on movie itself. The movie is good you just have to see it to know.
71 An 80s classic
The collector's edition of The Blues Brothers is a great addition to your DVD collection. The bonus material provides behind the scenes/making of insights that all Blues Brothers fans will enjoy.
72 For a DVD, one fatal flaw...
I was desperately hoping to buy this DVD, thinking that the producers would do the obvious...include a 'family friendly' language option. My two young boys would love to see this movie again, but I can't let them due to verbal content. Every DVD I own has multiple languages, and this movie had to be `cleaned up' for broadcast. So why not here? Yes, it's an excellent movie. Too bad somebody wasn't thinking when it came to the 'options' department...
73 Missions from God Can Be Fun -- Movie: 5 Stars; DVD: 3 Stars
In the 20 years since this film's release, the Blues Brothers have been overexposed, yet for all the theme park impersonators and lackluster sequels, the original skits and film retain their magic, in part because of Aykroyd and John Belushi's frenetic energy and the fun of the film. With over two hours of slapstick comedy and great music, you'd be hard pressed to find a more entertaining film in cinematic history. It's impossible to walk away without humming the soundtrack and smiling.
As the supplemental material on this DVD reveals, that's partly due to how much fun the cast and crew were having. Aykroyd, Belushi and director John Landis love the music it spotlights and the over-the-top humor it features, and it shows, both in the loving treatment of performances by such R&B legends as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Cab Calloway, and in the audacity of the car crashes and physical comedy.
This is one of those rare films for almost EVERYONE. Although some parts could seem raunchy or misogynist or sacreligious, Belushi and Aykroyd are charming enough to dispel hard feelings. This is a film you can watch with your kids and your grandparents, your girlfriend and your brother, and you'll all have a great time.
The DVD could be better. The sound and picture qualities are flawed, and the supplemental material is uninspired. Although the one-hour documentary gives a revealing look behind the scenes -- particularly from Landis, who enjoys talking about his work and knows how to tell stories -- Universal misses the opportunity to delve more into the music of the artists behind the film. As for the restored scenes, most of them (excluding John Lee Hooker's extended musical number) add little to the film and are the often confusing result of screenwriter Aykroyd's attempts to explain too much. They slow down the pace of the film, and they would have better served either as a separate "deleted scenes" feature or as an optional version.
But with a movie this entertaining, why quibble? "The Blues Brothers" is an essential addition to any film collection, especially when the DVD preserves the widescreen ratio. You don't want to miss a milimeter of the car crashes.
74 Very well done, but...
I have to start by saying that this is one of my all-time favorite movies. I love the blues, I love the humor of Akroyd and Belushi, and this is a great combination.
Hearing this movie on DVD after numerous times on VHS and cable TV is like going from vinyl to CD. But at the same time, it shows some of it's warts. For example, Shake Your Tailfeather has a little bit of surface noise along with the recording. If you own the soundtrack on CD, it's the same effect but maybe a little more pronounced as compared with the excellent audio quality of the rest of the picture.
The extra scenes, in my humble opinion, just don't add all that much to the movie. If anything, it slows it down. I can't imagine what this edition might be like if the folks at Universal hadn't thrown away the original negatives. For all the complaints from Mr. Landis regarding the fact he liked it the way it was originally, it's better cut down. And no, I don't think that all movies have to be under a certain amount of time to be good (I loved Schindler's List in all of it's 3 hours and 17 minutes). I wish there was an option to have the original theatrical release play in addition to the added segments.
The additional material, while sparse, was very good. I enjoyed the documentary on the making of the film. It gave me quite a few good laughs.
Overall, in my biased opinion, this easily rates 5 stars, but there was certainly a little room for improvement.
75 American Blues Culture, Car Chases, and a quest!!
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.
76 When I grow up I want to be like Jake and Elwood
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.
77 It's the Blues, Jake and Elwood Style
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.
78 Excellent musical action comedy
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.
79 Still laughing at this one.
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.
80 A classic. What more can I say?
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.
81 Some of the Greatest Comedy of All Time!
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!
82 How to break all the rules and still come out on top
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.
83 We're on a mission from God!
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.
84 BEST MOVIE EVER MADE
This has got to be the funniest movie ever. The Blues Brothers are two brothers on a "mission from God" to put their old band back together. It's fast-paced and hilarious at every turn. It also features appearances by James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin. They sing such songs as Gimme Some Lovin', the theme from the TV show Rawhide, and Everybody Needs Someone to Love. This an amazing movie, and everyone should see it.
85 I'll get to the point
The greatest movie EVER. 'nuff said
86 Blues Brothers- The best movie ever.
This is a great movie. It is funny and entertaining. It is one of those movies that never gets old. It's truly hilarious, and the cast is awesome. Many famous people make appearances, like Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. So it's got a truly great cast even without the two main charactors, which are awesome actors themselves. The story is cool, and although it's a long movie, it never stops being hilarious. There is a very funny movie here, but if you're not into movies, just buy it for the music. The music is truly amazing, and the scenes with the music are very cool. Personaly, i think the music is worth buying the movie for. If you like music, you'll like the movie. If you like humor movies, you'll like this movie. There's something for everyone.
87 One of the best Comedies ever
This movie is one of my personal favourites, Its absolutely hilarious, and has fanstastic music throughout. It has a decent plot, which is hard to find in alot of comedies. The cameo's are weaved into the movie seamlessly, so that they add to the plot instead of taking away from it. The movie has laughs, great music, huge car chases, and a good story, what more could you ask for. You have to see this movie.
If you've seen Blues brothers 2000, don't hold that movie against this one. If you didn't like BB2000 don't assume you won't like this great film. I didn't like BB2000, but loved this one.
88 The Greatest Movie Ever Made
I wish I had been there the day that God himself annointed John Landis with these mighty words: "Make the greatest movie ever made." John did.
God had several specific requirements of the film: 1. It be set in the greatest city on earth. 2. It include music by the remaining members of the Spencer Davis group, except for Steve Winwood. 3. That any chase scenes include more colateral damage than Sherman's march. 4. That one impressionable youth from Palatine, IL be able to sneak past the ticket taker on this R-rated film's opening day.
And it all happened, just as God requested. Sure, lots of people, women mostly, don't get this film. This is a genetic flaw. Not only is this film blessed with some of the most mindless violence ever bestowed upon the viewing public, but some of the worlds most repeatable dialogue ever.
Consider the following: "S---!" "what?" "Rollers." "No." Yup." "S---." I would expect nothing finer of Vonnegut or Melville.
Sure, some people would argue that Casablanca or a film of historical significance such as Gone With the Wind might be better flims, but this is because these people are not bright.
The Blue Brothers is not about fact, or purpose, it transcends meaning and takes film to higher, nirvana-like plane - a place where 75-squad car pile ups and Carrie Fischer with with flame thrower not only make sense, they are necessary.
There are people who would argue that things like going to work or bathing are more important than watching this movie again. I pity them. Their small lives are unable to fully grasp the magnatude of the Blues Brothers.
These are people, who, upon their deaths, will be forced to enter heaven and look St. Cab Calloway in the eye and explain, "I don't know all the words to Minnie the Moocher."
If for some reason you have not seen this movie yet this week (perhaps you are a limbless vagrant with an expired Blockbuster card and no clothes to trade for the rental) do so now. It may not be too late.
89 THE BEST MOVIE,EVER...
This dvd not only includes the best movie made ever(with sufficient sound and picture quality) but also contains production notes lasting over an hour containing possibly anything you might want to know about THE BLUES BROTHERS. -"WON'T YOU WELCOME FROM CALUMET CITY ILLINOIS THE SHOW BAND OF JOLIET JAKE AND ELWOOD BLUES: THE BLUES BROTHERS"
90 A funny classic
This movie is to me what Its A Mad Mad Mad Mad World was to my Dad. It is a funny movie that has a plot (save an orphanage) and is full of well known/famous people Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, James Brown and Steven Spielberg.
John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd aka brothers Jake and Elwood Blues who are so damn funny. From making the Cook County police force. mad. to trying their hand at singing in red neck and soul joints. There singing the theme from Rawhide is a classic. And the fast car chases and other action is fun.
They are "on a mission from God," and you will laugh the who way as they seek to accomplish their Godly mission. You do have to be in the right mood to watch this movie.
91 This flick doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
I'll start off by saying in the entire history of American cinema, this is my run-away favorite of all time. There is NO movie like the original Blues Brothers. This is the only movie that makes me laugh with every viewing. It makes me want to jump up and dance, grab my guitar, drink a beer, and bring on the happy tears.
Belushi steals this movie in my opinion and that's hard to do with the equally great Elwood. From the opening notes of 'She Caught the Katy' to the finale 'Jailhouse Rock' this movie brings a clever one-liner, a great song, or fast cars every second. This movie has no lull anywhere.
Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Callowy, and the great John Lee Hooker all sing in this one along with 'The Blues Brother's Band'. Jake and Elwood's singing performances are superb. How anyone can dismiss this movie is beyond me. I look at it as a lesson in life. The good will win (no matter how bad they may be).
The session musicians are also excellent. Even the 'geek' of the band Merv is great and they all fit into the motley crew band. Steve 'The Colonal' Cropper, Donald 'Duck' Dunn, Willie 'two bit' Hall, Tom 'Bones' Malone, Matt 'Guitar' Murphey, Alan 'Mr. Fabulous' Rubin, and Lou 'Blue Lou' Marini can all be proud of their involvement with this film.
The wrecking of a public mall is classic (You got us into this parking lot Motorhead, now you get us out!) If that ain't enough, then wait for the finale. Jake and Elwood race to the tax center with Chicago police (cars, horses, helicopters, and boats), Nazis, the US Army (complete with every weapon to include tanks), a swat team, firemen, and a really mad country band in a winnebago in chase. The chase scene is so over the top it must be seen to be believed.
Also watch for Carrie Fisher, John Candy, and a brief cameo by Paul Rubins (Pee Wee Herman).
We miss you Joilet Jake, without you the Blues Brothers just ain't right.
92 A mission from god involves a lot of wrecked cars
There will never be another movie quite like the Blues Brothers. No movie can accomplish or come close to accomplishing what this movie did in terms of car stunts, musical sequences, even some of it's many quotes. The best thing is, is that very little of it looks dated and it is still fun no matter how many times you watch it because so much of it is classic. The story is simple but ample as Elwood Blues and his brother Jake, fresh out of prison on parole must round up the members of their old band to raise some charity money to save their old orphanage from being torn down and in the process end up destroying much of Chicago and making enemys everywhere they go. Music legends Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway and James Brown are all on hand to provide some of the best and most entertaining musical scenes you've seen in a film and almost every scene in between has ample padding for some of the biggest and/or most destructive car chases seen. The additional scenes added for the most part don't add a whole lot but are still interesting to watch, especially Elwood quitting his job at a bottling plant (Elwood without his sunglasses on!!) Whether you've seen it once twice or a hundred times, The Blues Brothers is a contemporary classic above almost any other and serves as grandoise entertainment every step of the way.
93 Blues ROCKS!
This is a gem. This is one of the few musicals(besides the Marx Brothers) that I will watch. It is, however, more than just a musical. This is a film that has everything. There is comedy, music, classic Belushi, and one of the most elaborate car chases ever filmed.This is one that ranks right up there with Stripes, Caddyshack, Meatballs, and Animal House.Watch for Steven Spielberg cameo towards the end.(His only lines:"May I help you?" "and here is you're receipt.")
94 MMM, Carrie Fisher with a flamethrower... Good music too!
Let's start by saying that the plot is pretty much ludicrous. Of course, this does not detract from the quality of the movie. The plot is not important, except to get from one musical number and/or car chase to another. The music is superb - entertaining, energetic, and well performed by some very talented musicians. And Belushi and Aykroyd are not too bad as vocalists, oddly enough. And the non-musical, non-car chase bits are great fun.
The only knock against the movie is its tendency to drag in a few scenes - the chase scenes go on forever, it seems, and there are other scenes that could have been cut out or down as well. This DVD is an extended version - 15 minutes longer than the original cut, which makes it even worse. The only addition worth keeping is the extension of the scene containing John Lee Hooker's number - we finally get to hear his whole song.
The extras are not numerous. Most importantly there is a 1 hour documentary/retrospective that is quite interesting. It includes interviews with most, if not all, of the band members, Aykroyd, Landis, the cinematographer, etc.
95 A brilliant movie...best SNL spinoff
This movie is a true classic. No doubt about it. I grew up in Chicago and I guess I have a larger sense of pride about it. SNL movies were started with BB - and it is far and awya the best one. It isn't even close.
A true comedy mixed with some great blues music make this one movie you can watch over and over again. John Belushi was a master-and he is sorely missed.
I am still sick about Blues Borthers 2000....why mess with perfection?
96 Belushi is great
This is a great movie not as great as "Animal House" but it is definitley a classic. Mission from God.
97 One of the funniest movies ever
Blues Brothers, a classic for its time. It has great actors, like john candy, cab calloway, dan akroyd, and of course john belushi. this is a movie that is not to be missed.
98 A hell of a good time
This movie is wonderful if you don't take it seriously. The cast and crew were out to make an adventure-comedy-musical, a combination you don't see too often, and if you ask me, they did a great job. The music is the jump-up-and-dance kind, the guest star appearences, noticeably Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, add extra oomph, and the car chase and crash sequences are a lot of fun (the mall one is a doozy!). The best part is seeing the wonderful rapport that Belushi and Aykroyd had. Watch this--preferably with a group of friends. You won't regret it.
99 Great cast for a great movie
A really great film for any fan of slap stick comedy or great car chases. I loved this movie mainly because of the great action sequences and car chases. I have to say i wasnt much for all the musical numbers in there but it dosnt ruin the movie in any way. The movie is about the misadventures of jake and elwood blues as they try to earn 5000 dollars in time to pay the rent on the church they grew up in. Great cast featuring john belushi, dan aykroyd, carrie fisher, john candy, aretha franklin, cab calloway, ray charles, and more. Definatly worth a look.
100 Best movie ever!
The first time my friend told me to watch this, I was kind of skeptical. This, however, is the funniest movie I have ever seen. Dan Akroyd and John Belushi play Elwood and Jake Blues(the blues brothers). Jake has just been released from prison, and they find out the orphanage they grew up in is going to be shut down. They then try to reform their band, although it's many members now have better jobs. Along the way they become number one on many groups' lists of people they would love to kill, including the police, Carrie Fisher, and "Illinois Nazis." This movie has non-stop laughs throughout as Jake and Elwood get out of ridiculously dangerous situations without even batting an eye. The music is also great with guest apperances by Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Ray Charles. This is by far the greatest movie ever made.
