BLUES BROTHERS 2000 (1998)

 

Directed By: John Landis Written By: John Landis and Dan Aykroyd  Cinematography: David Herrington  Editor: Dale Beldin

Cast: Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, Joe Morton, Nia Peeples, J Evan Bonifant, Frank Oz, Darrell Hammond, B.B. King, Junior Wells, Aretha Franklin, Matt Murphy, Erykah Badu, Johnny Lang, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Eric Clapton, Steve Lawrence, John Popper, Sam Moore, Paul Shaffer, Clarence Clemmons, Issac Hayes, Bo Diddley

Elwood, the now lone "Blues Brother" finally released from prison, is once again enlisted by Sister Mary Stigmata in her latest crusade to raise funds for a children's hospital. Once again hitting the road to re-unite the band and win the big prize at the New Orleans Battle of the Bands, Elwood is pursued cross-country by the cops, led by Cabel the Curtis' son (and Elwood's step-brother), the Russian Mafia, and a militia group. On his new "mission from God" Elwood enlists the help of a young orphan, and a strip club bartender.

I remember when I went to a screening of THE BLUES BROTHERS for a yearly Special festival that played at RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL. That was part of the movie street festival in years past. Where they would screen classic films as a double feature for one week. They showed a special message from Dan Aykroyd on the set of this Film and to be prepared for another classic.

I was excited when the Film came out. It, unfortunately, fell Very short.

Watching a documentary on the artists or their performances would be more entertaining than unfortunately watching this film. 

How the mighty have fallen, this film feels strictly like a cash-in on the original and franchise.

All the things the first film does brilliantly. This film either repeats badly or just doesn’t know what to do with it. Even more disappointing is that the original film's director came back to direct the film. Director John Landis 

This is why the films only have good scenes other than the Musical performances. Are the car chase scenes and even there the film seems to go over the top and ruins a good thing 

As the story is very thin and badly put together to the point it drags along and comes across as an afterthought.

Dan Aykroyd’s Character is just so unresponsive to most things. It doesn’t make his character interesting or entertaining and desperately needs to bounce off of someone. Even when there are two others who try. Leaving the audience just witnessing acts with no rhyme Or reason. Things just seem to happen and characters just seem to change magically all of a sudden. 

Joe Morton’s character for instance and John Goodman go through a total character change due to wardrobe changes. 

John Goodman is wasted as he has very little reason to be there and is given very little to actually do.

Truly the performance scenes Are the film's only Saving grace. This is why most of the cast is made up of them performing and relegated to cameos.

Some are returning from the first film and others seem more who were more popular at the time and maybe missed being in the first film. As this film is mainly mostly a retread of the first film.

The film is way too long, and the jokes don’t work and never would. Unlike the musical scenes, the humor seems odd to base, like it was hilarious when conceiving but didn’t play well at all. 

If you must watch it. This is the Rare film where I say feel free to fast forward to the performances. If anything it reminds you of how good the original film was and how this film deserves its Legacy.

It is one of those projects that was good in theory but should have been shelved. It comes across as an almost kid friendly Version of the first film.

Grade: D