THE BLUES BROTHERS

a film by John Landis released through Universal Pictures in 1980

Though it threatens to spin out of control, The Blues Brothers always manages to surprise with another scene of inspired nonsense. 

Surprisingly slow-paced for a film with so much cartoony action, Jake and Elwood's "mission from God" is just compelling enough to keep the audience cheering for, basically, a pair of slacker-bum misfits.  While the musical digressions are fitfully compelling, this slapdash big-budget escapade saves the real excitement for the last twenty minutes. 

The quiet introduction, consisting of aerial shots of refineries and other nondescript urban eyesores, is strangely compelling, and the perfect contrast to the noisy mayhem that follows.

This anti-hero adventure lovingly toes the line of blasphemy with great aplomb.

Look for John Candy in a great pre-fame supporting role.  

★★★★☆

Best for ages 12+

FEATURING

JOHN BELUSHI, DAN AYKROYD, JAMES BROWN, CAB CALLOWAY, RAY CHARLES,  CARRIE FISHER, ARETHA FRANKLIN, AND HENRY GIBSON

© 2023 Ian C. Bloom