Review of The Blues Brothers (1980) by David G — 25 Dec 2013

Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd) and his recently paroled brother Jake (John Belushi) have been given a mission from God: raise $5000 and save their childhood orphanage from closure. That's pretty much the entire plot for this cult 80's comedy and trust me, it's the sanest thing about it! Naturally, since their mission is so straight forward, everything possible - and impossible - is out to get in their way including Carrie Fisher's jilted - and armed to the teeth - ex-fiance, the American Nazi Party, an out-of-pocket bar owner, a country & western band and the entire Chicago Police Department and Illinois National Guard!! You're never sure what craziness is going to be thrown at you next and there are so many gags and scenes of comic destruction as well as some truly remarkable moments of surreal randomness that you can't help but love it.

Throw in some nifty musical numbers and cameos from every soul star they could get their hands on (Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown etc) and it's easy to see how The Blues Brothers became a cult classic.