Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)

Elwood must reunite the old band, with a few new members, and go on another "Mission from God."

Director:

John Landis

Writers:

Dan Aykroyd (film The Blues Brothers), John Landis (film The Blues Brothers)

Stars:

Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, Walter Levine

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Walter Levine	...	Same Guard
Dan Aykroyd	...	Elwood Blues
Tom Davis	...	Prison Clerk
Frank Oz	...	Warden
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
Lonnie Brooks	...	Lonnie Brooks
Leon Pendarvis	...	Stripster Band
Steve Potts	...	Stripster Band

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

donald duck character | repeat sequel | battle of the bands | militia | russian mafia | 

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Taglines:

The Blues Are Back

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Music | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for exotic dancing and some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

6 February 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blues Brothers - Il mito continua

Filming Locations:

Palatine, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,129,615, 8 February 1998, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$13,979,599, 22 March 1998

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$26,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Landis and Dan Aykroyd's original story pitch for the film had Elwood, Mighty Mack, and Jim Belushi's character Brother Zee raising money to refurbish their old orphanage. Aykroyd later admitted that the studio had been right to reject this pitch, as it was virtually identical to the story of the original The Blues Brothers (1980), but felt that their decision to instead make the film more fantasy-based, and aimed at younger viewers, ensured that the final product would be a critical and commercial failure.

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Goofs

When Elwood Blues, Mighty Mack McTeer and Buster Blues sneaks into the Monster Truck Stadium to perform, the police stop their car to look inside. When it shows the police point of view, Buster is in the back of the car and Mighty Mack McTeer is in the driver seat. In the next take, Buster is suddenly in the passenger seat.

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Quotes

Mother Mary Stigmata: Elwood, say hello to Buster.
Elwood Blues: [not interested] Hi, how ya doin'.
Mother Mary Stigmata: Buster, say hello to Elwood.
Buster Blues: [same tone as Elwood] Hi, how you doin'.
Elwood Blues: Hey! This kid's a wise ass!
[gets thwacked over the head by Mother Mary Stigmata]
Elwood Blues: Ow, shit!
[Get's hit again]
Elwood Blues: I mean, uh... what a nice... kid.

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Crazy Credits

After the last credit has finished rolling, James Brown and the Blues Brothers sing "Please, Please, Please (don't go)" for another 3 minutes.

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Connections

References Animal House (1978)

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Soundtracks

John The Revelator
Traditional - Arranged by Son House
Performed by Taj Mahal
Courtesy of Private Music

User Reviews

NOT a sequel, but a TRIBUTE!!

Contrary to popular opinion, this is not a sequel. It is supposed to be a tribute to the original. People who bash this movie without reading Aykroyd's interviews are ignorant to the intent here. This movie was originally to be a sequel back in 1981 just before Belushi died. When that happened, the idea for another adventure fell away. But after almost two decades, Aykroyd wanted to do something to revisit the classic film and pay homage to his friend and co-star Belushi, so he assembled this "Concert Movie", which is supposed to be all about THE MUSIC, not the story. The only reason a story was put in was to keep it moving from musical number to musical number, because everyone knows that straight concert films are pretty boring, even if you really like the performer(s). So here it is, for the true Blues Brothers fans to enjoy. P.S.-And if your problem with the plot was some of the cartoony style actions that occur (Cabel being pulled heavenward and his clothes magically "changing", et cetera), remember that the original had the same things. In the first one the entire band's clothing "magically" changes for a concert, but if you know that this is merely a representation of the character's psychological state and not a literal change, then the film works much better. The same idea works for the much-maligned "zombie" sequence near the end at Queen Mousette's mansion. Also, people complain about the Bluesmobile in this film being able to drive underwater. Well, in the first film the car flew, performed flips, and was nearly indestructible. In fact, if you watch the DVD of the first film, you find in the deleted scenes and "Making-of" section that the Bluesmobile is supposed to be "magic", because it was parked each night inside a power transformer. How is that for cheesiness on the first film? So that also explains Elwood's ability to smuggle himself in the dash of the car in this one, and the car being able to crash land from a fiery loop-de-loop at the fairgrounds. Even though I wish this film could have been a little edgier and darker in tone like the original, I do find its bold and effective use of color to be magnificent and fascinating. Perhaps this film has a little more depth than people expect, so they incorrectly perceive it to be a lackluster and shallow mindnumbing entertainment. I know better ....... Remove the stars in the address to e-mail me.