Review of The Blues Brothers (1980) by Adam S — 18 Dec 2014

It's silly. It's over-the-top. It's one long gag reel for Saturday Night Live. It's an excuse for music videos. And yet, this film is.... perfect. It works. Probably because the filmmakers were on a mission, from God.

The Blues Brothers are Jiolet Jake and Elwood Blues. When Jake is released from prison and reteams with Elwood, they find that an orphanage needs $5000 in order to continue functioning. Believing this fundraiser is a mission from God, the Brothers put together their old rhythm and blues band, and dodge Illinois Nazis, Good Ole Boys, Jake's ex-girlfriend and the Law as they try desperately to put on a show for the ages.

SNL alum John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd reprise their roles from the sketch comedy show as Jake and Elwood, while a who's who of the music and film worlds join them in the cast - Cab Calloway, Carrie Fisher, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown, John Candy, Kathleen Freeman, Twiggy, Frank Oz, Steven Spielberg, John Lee Hooker and Joe Walsh all appear in the cast. In addition, some of America's finest session musicians appear as the Blues Brothers band - Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Murphy Dunne, Willie Hall, Bones Malone, Blue Lou Marini, Matt "Guitar" Murphy and Alan Rubin all lend their talents.

Then there's the music - Ray Charles plays "Shake a Tail Feather", Aretha Franklin lets loose on her classic hit "Think", James Brown sings a gospel tune, and the Blues Brothers play everything from "Theme from Rawhide" to "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" and "Sweet Home Chicago". The soundtrack is arguably the best in Hollywood, no questions asked.

The jokes are on-point, every line is quotable - it's a cult classic. There's no avoiding that. A magnificent, brilliant film.

Unfortunately, RT doesn't let me give away 6 stars, so I'm giving it 5 instead.