Blues Brothers 2000 . Tucson Weekly . 02-16-98

Blues Brothers 2000

DIRECTED BY: John Landis

REVIEWED: 02-16-98

Watching this plodding sequel to 1980's manic, over-the-top Blues Brothers, one can't help but sense the cynicism of director John Landis. Every uninspired gag and dull, lifeless scene seems to grumble, "To hell with trying. I'm just going to repeat the structure of the first film, adding tons of car crashes and music-world cameos, and that ought to be enough to make a lot of money." Reprising his role as Elwood Blues, Dan Aykroyd (who co-wrote with Landis) does what he can, occasionally goosing up his stiff, laconic shtick with outbursts of deadpan verbosity. The movie gets off to a grim start by explaining that Aykroyd's friends John Belushi, John Candy and Cab Calloway are dead; then Aykroyd spends what seems like two hours forming a new band that includes John Goodman, Joe Morton and a 10-year-old boy--none of whom ever comes close to matching the inspired zaniness of the film's predecessors. Why Landis waits until the film's last half-hour to cash in on his huge guest list of great old rock and blues performers is beyond comprehension. The musicians, who include B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Dr. John, Eric Clapton, Bo Diddley, Steve Winwood and ringleader Paul Shaffer, jam and sing and whoop it up as if they think they're in a much better movie.

--Woodruff

Full Length Reviews
Blues Brothers 2000
Blues Brothers 2000
Blues Brothers 2000
Blues Brothers 2000

Other Films by John Landis
An American Werewolf in London
Susan's Plan

Film Vault Suggested Links
Mother
The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human
Shorts 4

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