Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 07, 2005 | | Summary | Herbie History | Content
 | Before I start-
A brief History of Herbie:
We first saw Herbie, the volkswagon bug with a mind of its own in the car showroom of Peter Thorndyke (David Tomlinson) in "The Love Bug" released in 1968. Herbie, due to be sent away by Thorndyke was discovered by Jim Douglas (Dean Jones) who would race Herbie in several races. "The Love Bug" Special Edition is now available on DVD.
In the sequel "Herbie Rides Again" (1974) we discover that Herbie is no longer racing with Jim Douglas. He is now with a sweet old lady called Mrs Steinmetz (played by veteran actress Helen Hayes) who he helps to protect from a corrupt developer. "Herbie Rides Again" is now available on DVD.
Herbie returns yet again in "Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo" (1977). Reunited with Jim Douglas from "The Love Bug", Herbie's tasks this time include stopping some diamond thieves and winning the big Monte Carlo race. "Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo" is now available on DVD.
The fourth classic movie "Herbie Goes Bananas"(1980) has Herbie becoming involved in various escapades in Mexico, on his way to a big race. It's a tough adventure for Herbie who gets very damaged before being cleaned up at the end. The big race does not happen in the movie, and it doesn't feature Jim Douglas either. "Herbie Goes Bananas" is now available on DVD.
Then in 1982, there was the short-lived 5 episode television series "Herbie, The Love Bug". This featured Herbie on various adventures with his original owner Jim Douglas. The series hasn't been released on DVD as yet.
Lastly there was the 1997 tv movie based on the original Herbie film, also called "The Love Bug". In it Herbie is passed onto a new owner by the name of Hank Cooper (Bruce Campbell). Together they must race against a dastardly racer and his evil car (named Horace) which has been built using the essence of Herbie. In this version of "The Love Bug", Herbie is virtually destroyed by Horace. Herbie even has a funeral and is thought of as gone forever, until Jim Douglas (Dean Jones) makes a surprise appearance. Jim Douglas and Herbie's original creator help to rebuild Herbie for another (grudge) race. And that was the last time we saw Herbie. "The Love Bug (1997) was previously available on VHS video.
Now we have "Herbie Fully Loaded", the fifth big screen movie, and the fun is back and he can do more stunts than ever. This movie follows the pretty regular formula of car wins race, car loses race, car wins race again, car falls in love with another car- and you know what, that formula still works for Herbie- if you're a fan. If you're a newcomer to Herbie, you may find the movie underwhelming.
Lindsay Lohan does a fine job in her role of our young female racer who races Herbie at Nascar. Michael Keaton does a fine job too as the father, as does Matt Dillon as the villain. There are also nice little special effects that enhance Herbie's skill, but nothing too ridiculous. These kind of special effects were only briefly used in the 1997 tv movie "The Love Bug", so to most people they'll seem pretty new here. There's also been rumor in the press that Lindsay Lohan herself has been digitally altered, but it was kind of hard to tell. I guess you'll have to watch "Mean Girls" to do a comparison. And as usual Herbie does get beaten up a little bit- at a monster rally- just enough reason for us to see the all-new Nascar Herbie. And as a sidenote, it was nice to see the Walt Disney Pictures logo return with the blue background and the castle- I'm glad it's back.
In conclusion, Herbie Fully Loaded is a good movie, but it could have been better. Still, it's funny, I liked it, and it's a worthy addition to the Herbie series. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 31, 2005 | | Summary | (3.5 STARS) Silly But Enjoyable 'Love Bug' Sequel Starring Lindsay Lohan | Content
| Though corny and often silly, 'Herbie: Fully Loaded' is not a bad film as you may think. I find the film fairly amusing, if not original, and surely Disney knows this is a family-oriented film, made for entertainment.
So 'Herbie: Fully Loaded' is a sequel to (not a remake of) the previous 'Love Bug' films, and again the 'live' Volkswagen, now forgotten by people and left in the junkyard, is 'saved' by Lindsay Lohan's character Maggine Peyton, a wannabe NASCAR driver. Soon Maggie finds out the incredible ability of this supercar called 'Herbie,' most of which are slapstick kind of things like spitting out oil over the face of the arrogant celebrity racer (and baddie) played by Matt Dillon.
The story is that silly and predictable, but somehow it works as long as the film keeps showing Lindsay Lohan on screen. Lohan's cute and nice girl image is intact here, and Walt Disney Pictures is well aware that their newer 'Love Bug' film needs her charms as the heroine we can relate to. She succeeds, or shines if I may say, but of course, some might dislike the film exactly because she is there. But anyway those Lohan haters would not see this film.
Beside Matt Dillon, the film features supporting actors including Michael Keaton, Justin Long, Breckin Meyer, Jill Ritchie, and Cheryl Hines. Sadly, however, none of them are not required to do much, except very good Justin Long as shy and good-natured mechanic, and the role of Breckin Meyer as Maggie's brother is too small for him.
The car race scenes including the rousing finale are clearly helped by ILM's special effects, and the car often drives in the most ridiculous way (at times it slides as if skateboarding, and can move its doors like ... er ... a bug), but the film surely knows what it is doing. It's a movie that you should see in summer season, silly but enjoyable. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 25, 2005 | | Summary | Sweet and funny | Content
| Well, my friend and I are both huge fans of Volkswagon bugs, so we just had to see this. I'm happy to say that looking at Herbie was not the only enjoyment we got out of it (though that was fun). Many of the jokes were actually funny, the soundtrack was excellent, and despite being G-rated, the film's race scenes are thrilling and there are even some touching moments...Lindsay Lohan was well-cast as well, and does an admirable job. The little touches, such as New Beetle cameos and a montage of Herbie nostalgia in the beginning, really add to it as well. With characters that even little kids can get behind, and humor that can be enjoyed by all, I'd reccomend H:FL to anyone really, except for the mean, heartless troll that lives under the bridge and speaks in grunts. ;) |
| Rating | | | Date | July 23, 2005 | | Summary | Herbie's Back In Action! | Content
| This was an adorable movie which I recently saw at the theatre
with my mom. The film had covers of great songs and added just
enough to the plot of the movie. Out of all the actors, my favorite was (of course!) Herbie. This film is about:
Maggie Peyton (Lindsay Lohan) is a teenager who is having to deal with an accident that killed her mother a few years ago. When she is offered a trip, her father decides to get her a car
for the adventure. Maggie is taken to the junkyard, where she gets Herbie (just after he wrecks a stock car). Maggie skips the
trip to battle against NASCAR and an upset racer is out to do
anything to destroy Herbie. Her father will not allow Maggie to
do any more street racing (as of the accident from a few years
ago). Maggie disobeys and she and Herbie rule the roost as they
climb the NASCAR charts! But Maggie (and Herbie) must be careful
along the way, as there are some things standing in their way
just waiting to get crashed. Her father finds out that she has
been racing and loses his trust for her. Her brother is in an
accident and cannot compete in the big race, and the only fill-in is Maggie. With encouragement from her brother and Herbie,
Maggie and this 63 bug are gonna hopefully make it through this
race alive - to prove that even the ugliest car can have power in it, and that girls can do anything boys can do.
This movie is WAY worth being seen in theatres! |
| Rating | | | Date | July 21, 2005 | | Summary | This is so great | Content
| I loved this movie. I also like the first Herbie movies like :The Love Bug, Herbie Rides Again, etc... I you are a Herbie fan you will love this movie. |
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