Dir. John Landis
"We're on a mission from God."
I apologize in advance because this is going to most likely be one of my worst reviews. I'm sick as a dog (whatever that means), and as I type this now I am still experiencing some pretty awful fever chills. The good news is that I getting this over with early on into the project, because now every other review will never seem as bad.
The Blues Brothers is one of those cult films I've avoided most of my life, simply because I never had a strong desire to see it. After seeing a few trailers attached to other films I've bought or watched, I thought I had it all figured. I got the gimmick or joke, and thus didn't need to see it.
But the joke was on me because I fell in love with the iconic team that is the Blues Brothers, consisting of Joliet Jake Blues (John Belushi) and Elwood Blues (played by the always brilliant Dan Akroyd). The two go together greatly and play off of each other with dry deliveries that are very reminiscent of the Coen Brothers' sense of "humor" (if you can call it that). Before I continue, I'll also that I was pleasantly surprised by John Belushi who I've only seen in Animal House before this, but wasn't really a fan of. He was over the top and obnoxious in that film, but here he is much more toned down and was given a character with more depth.
If you're going to the Blues Brothers for depth though, you'll be out of luck because there isn't much to be found. That's not necessarily a bad thing, because it allows for some really great surreal moments, such as some terrific cameos from Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, John Candy and Steven Spielberg. Though sometimes the movie veers a tad too bit into straight up absurdity, such as Carrie Fisher playing Jake's scorned lover, seen wielding ridiculous weapons such as rocket launchers and flamethrowers.
But for all the absurd, there is a brilliance to the musical bits, and the bond between the brothers that is always engaging and had me smiling (through coughing) throughout the film. Unlike Animal House, a film which I had so many reservations with and felt didn't hold up over time, The Blues Brothers is a great film that has aged pretty well, and is one that deserves its cult status. I would easily recommend The Blues Brothers, and anyone who is fan of Akroyd, Belushi, or director John Landis, it seems like a no-brainer.
4 out of 5
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