Review of The Blues Brothers (1980) by Philip S — 07 Aug 2011

The Blues Brothers is hands down one of the best all-time summer movies, and best movies of all time. It's another one of which so much positive could be noted. Saturday Night Live has been the root for a handful of movies. Sadly, The Blues Brothers is the only of that handful that's seen any real sustained success. It's such a timeless movie for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, its success can be tied to its plot. Unlike most modern movies, its plot is simple enough for any moviegoer to understand. Jake and Elwood are out to save a Catholic boarding school that's about to lose its financial support. That turns them into a modern day Robin Hood and Little John for all intensive purposes. It makes them quick fan favorites for which anyone would root.

The plot itself is just one positive to The Blues Brothers. What happens along the course of the Brothers' journey to save the boarding school is what really brings the plot to life. Probably the most well-known moment of the journey was the police chase that ended up in what was more than a little pileup. The famed scene (along with quite a few others) was copied in 1998's Blues Brothers 2000. That movie wasn't even a sequel. It was just one more remake among so many that have been littering the movie landscape for so long. Strangely enough, it makes the original Blues Brothers that much better. And that it would rip off the famed scene (as well as so many others) makes the original so much more of a fan favorite.

If the simple plot and the action aren't enough, the star-studded cast of musicians is enough to bring in general audiences and music lovers alike. General audiences will love the cameos from Carrie Fisher (Star Wars) and Frank Oz (Star Wars, The Muppets, The Muppet Show, Spies Like Us, etc.). And everyone will enjoy the music from legends such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown (the latter pair also show up in Blues Brothers 2000).

As enjoyable as The Blues Brothers is, it's not meant for all audiences. Parents should note that it does carry an "R" rating. Most of the rating comes from language, more so than anything else. There's some minor sexual context. But it's very limited, as in the case of its "sequel". The difference between the two movies is that in the "sequel", the language is much more toned down, making for a "PG-13" rating. The extent of the sexual content in "Blues Brothers 2000" is limited to a short scene inside a strip club. There's no nudity. But parents might not approve of that one scene.

Considering all of this, it goes without saying that even with an "R" rating, there is only one real Blues Brothers. The sequel is little more than a cheap, unnecessary knockoff. Whether it's the star-studded cast, the action, or the simple plot itself, The Blues Brothers has so much going for it. It's got comedy, great music, and enough heart to make it one of the best all-time summer movies, and one of the best movies of all time, even with an "R" rating.