Tuesday, September 27, 2022

The Blues Brothers (1980)

Fresh out of the slammer, Jake Blues, along with his brother Elwood, visit the Catholic home where they both grew up. They find out that it will soon shut down because of a lack of funds and support. One misguided spiritual revelation later, they go in search of reuniting their old blues band and raise the $5000 to pay off the home's taxes. As they go on their way to perform in the perfect big-paying gig for the group, their adventure takes many unexpected detours and encounters with zany characters ranging from, the police, revenge-seeking militant groups, angry country singers, Nazis and a psychotic former girlfriend. Furthermore, it entails endless car chases, massive explosions where ever they go, danger and destruction ensue on this mission from God. I think this movie has to be one of the craziest adventures I have ever witnessed... and I loved every second of it. One of the best aspects of this film, besides its overwhelming amount of comedy, is the music. It delivers some fantastic performances and some glorious blues certain to have you singing and dancing along. If you watch this film without even fidgeting to these overwhelmingly catchy numbers, then there is something wrong with you. I came to appreciate music through this film so much more than I had ever done so before. It displayed how meaningful and expressive music can be to people, which I found extremely interesting and captivating. There are countless pieces played throughout, but my all-time favourite song has to be 'Everybody Needs Somebody'. Not only was it such a phenomenal song that I will forever cherish and frequently listen to, but it was also part of a beautifully choreographed scene. The whole scene was full of energy with superb dance moves and cartwheels, which made the whole routine a hundred times better. You could tell they just had so much fun and with the whole audience cheering, it looked and felt magnificent, like a real concert, not only that, but I felt like I was there too. How could you not sing along? But it doesn't stop there, with so many memorable tunes to be enthralled by from 'Rawhide', 'Think', 'The Twist', 'The Jailhouse Rock' and so much more. The Blues Brothers are easily one of the greatest duos in pop culture history, played outstandingly by John Belushi and Dan Akroyd. From their incredible performances and music, their amazing dance moves, their outfits which include the iconic sunglasses that they wear all the time (even at night) and their unswerving friendship to each other. They are equally so fun and even when under all the pressure during this escapade, neither breaks their cool. This is best displayed in the scene where they survive an exploding building from a failed attack of the crazed girlfriend which they get up and walk away from carrying on with their business as if nothing happened. Sadly, they don't make comedy movies like this anymore, which generate such unbelievable amounts of laughs from its witty writing to its visual gags and pay-offs. This film is unlikely to be surpassed by modern-day comedy. Today's movie plots would never be as entertaining as the concept of an adventure that sees two blues-playing friends driving in an old police car to deliver money to pay off the Catholic Home taxes on a mission from God whilst evading the forces of darkness being cops, country singers, Nazis an ex-girlfriend and the Army. It doesn't get more hilarious than that! The action goes above and beyond, especially during the climax, which sees all the enemies they made along the way try to stop the brothers. Seeing each party's comeuppance was delightful and would display one of the world records for most cars destroyed in a film totalling at 104 cop cars! Overall, The Blues Brothers is so random and bizarre that it easily becomes one of my all-time favourites and with some of the best comedy I have ever witnessed. I love all the appreciation for music, especially the blues and how they display the effects it has on people. This is one of the all-time greats that will easily lift anyone's mood. Also, check out the sequel Blues Brothers 2000 (1998).

Runtime: 2h 13m
Director: John Landis

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