Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Walter Levine | ... | Same Guard |
Dan Aykroyd | ... | Elwood Blues | |
Tom Davis | ... | Prison Clerk | |
Frank Oz | ... | Warden | |
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Shann Johnson | ... | Matara / Dancer |
B.B. King | ... | Malvern Gasperon | |
Kathleen Freeman | ... | Mother Mary Stigmata | |
J. Evan Bonifant | ... | Buster | |
Gloria Slade | ... | Police Receptionist | |
Joe Morton | ... | Cabel Chamberlain | |
Jennifer Irwin | ... | Nun #1 | |
Junior Wells | ... | Junior Wells | |
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Lonnie Brooks | ... | Lonnie Brooks |
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Leon Pendarvis | ... | Stripster Band |
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Steve Potts | ... | Stripster Band |
Elwood, the now lone "Blues Brother" finally released from prison, is once again enlisted by Sister Mary Stigmata in her latest crusade to raise funds for a children's hospital. Once again hitting the road to re-unite the band and win the big prize at the New Orleans Battle of the Bands, Elwood is pursued cross-country by the cops, led by Cabel the Curtis' son (and Elwood's step-brother), the Russian Mafia, and a militia group. On his new "mission from God" Elwood enlists the help of a young orphan, and a strip club bartender. Written by Stephen Scaia <s_scaia@emerson.edu>
Blues Brothers 2000 has a few points in its favor. The opening is 99% right. It only lacks a brief explanation on why the red car turns up (most likely because the manager made a phone call). Otherwise it is great, a tribute to the lost Belushi.
There are also much good music, almost as good as the original. Not least, Aretha Franklin's appearance is truly funny, especially when you have seen the original movie.
But the movie lacks the plot of the original. The original plot may have been thin, but it was enough to drive the story. This one lacks that, there is no motivation, no goal to speak of, and the result is that the ending comes as a surprise. Was that it, was that the end of the movie? Then what? But when I saw it the second time, I was prepared and enjoyed the music instead.
Another weakness is the lack of special effects. The original movie made a big thing of overdoing car chases in very funny ways. This movie rather under-does them. In the time it was made, it should have used computer graphics to do plenty more than the original. Now they smash a few cars, but little remarkable happens. In particular, there are no original ideas in the car chases.
So don't expect too much, just enjoy the music and the fun parts (they sure exist). And don't get bothered by Buster. Without him, Cab wouldn't go after Elwood, right?