Blues Brothers 2000 (DVD, 1998, Widescreen)

Previous experiences with "part 2" movies made much later than the original have usually left me disappointed. As such, I did not have high hopes when I discovered that a second Blues Brothers movie had been made almost twenty years after the original. I opted to buy a copy of this film mainly because of curiosity.

Blues Brothers 2000 picks up the story from the first film with the lone surviving Blues Brother Elwood (played by Dan Aykroyd) getting out of prison. Everything he knows and loves is gone. Undeterred, he sets in to buying a new car (The Bluesmobile) and getting his old band back together, but not before becoming an unexpected mentor to a young boy. The story works pretty well, as does the humor. In no time at all, the police are after Elwood and his band, just like old times. He makes other enemies along the way as well. Many of the situations he and the band get into are completely over the top, but they work well as compared to the original.

Impressively enough, many members of the original cast reunited to make this film. Perhaps even more so impressively, almost all of the cast looks and acts almost like they did in the original film.

My only complaint is that at times, the movie demands that you suspend your disbelief in the face of some very unlikely situations, such as the police officer ascending through the revival tent and assuming a new identity. Likewise, the scenes involving the bayou and voodoo queen are somewhat hollow and unrealistic.

All in all, I felt the Blues Brothers 2000 film was a worthwhile movie to watch. The plot excels at showing us a believable future for the Elwood and the band. There is still quite a bit of comedy and the style is true to the original. Finally, the musical performances scattered throughout are not to be missed. It's definitely worth watching.

I have to be honest, the first Blues Brothers movie is what turned me on to the Blues. I had always liked Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Ray Charles, but had never even heard of most of the rest of the perfomers in the first movie. It opened my eyes and ears to a whole new world. As for the Music in the second movie, it has even more ambition then the first did, adding in the amazing talents of Bo Diddley, BB King, Dr. John, Wilson Pickett, Eric Clampton, Billy Preston, Sam Cooke,,, and so many other greats. The plot is pretty thin, and even though I am a big John Goodman fan, he just can't fill the shoes (or vocals) of John Belushi. God Bless Dan Akroyd for giving it a try, the soundtrack alone is what makes this movie worth watching (as long as you mute John Goodmans attempts at singing)As I watch this movie and the first BB, I am almost in tears at the talent that is no longer with us. Thank God For John, Dan and John Landis for making these movies.

I 'spose when you think of musicals, some of the first that come to mind are maybe "The Sound of Music", or "Cats"...and "Tommy" is a Rock Opera. I don't know exactly where to place this movie, but it has to be one of the very best movie musicals ever...Top Ten list at least. (Well, my Top Ten list anyway) The stars, the comedy, the music...an absolute pleasure and a riot to watch. Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Eric Clapton, Travis Tritt, Dr. John and about thirty other jazz greats all jamming together on "How Blue Can You Get?" Eryka Badu cuttin' up on "Funky Nassau"...Of course, the first Blues Brothers movie is on my Top Ten list too. Must be the jazz......... Try it, you'll like it!
RCH

Think NEW COKE...ahhh, we are dating ourselves! Anyways, this movie was okay and I can see where Dan was going trying to reprise the flavor of the original. Which he tries and succeeds in some parts, such as the members of the Blues band or the appearance of Aretha Franklin or the "owner of the Honky Tonk bar (who I can't think of)"

John Goodman tries to fills John Belushi's shoes but he can't...he does his best (like Dan) which leaves the little blond-haired kid who I just found annoying! One of the things that the movie could do without...and come on!

WHERE IS OUR PLYMOUTH CRUISER!!!

Our blessed lady of accleration is placed with a pretender! A...Ford Taurus...I think??? It looks like our baby but it smells funny...I'd love to have a car just PAINTED like the Bluesmobile for the only fact that the criticism would be saved for people in New Mexico...or wherever I am whenever I own this fictional car...but it wouldn't be featured on a movie endorsing Jake or Elwood.

Rent it, but don't buy it...one of the best parts is actually the end with this all-star Blues/Jazz concert featuring Josh Redman, BB King, Eric Clapton, and a whole bunch others that you've seen or heard before...a nice tribute to both Belushi, the first movie, and the music...

Good sequel to the Blues Brothers movie starring James Belushi and Dan Akroyd.
I wasn't going to buy this set until one night I was reading, and all of a sudden the phrase "HOW-DY" kept repeating in my head.
At first I couldn't place the movie or actor. Could only hear HOW-DY replaying
in my brain. It was driving me nuts. Then, some days later I was thinking of this movie, and all of a sudden, I replayed the scene in my mind where they are at the County Fair Grounds at Cynthiana Ky., and the words HOW-DY jumped out at me.
I knew then I had to have this movie, and since I was getting this one, I knew I had to have the original to complete the set.
Now I'm a happy camper. Mystery solved. No longer a cold case file in my brain.