Herbie Rides Again
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Movie Reviews of Herbie Rides Again
Movie Review: The Love Bug's First Sequel
Summary: 4 Stars
Probably the only amazing thing about this sequel is that it took so long before Disney released it. "The Love Bug" became a big hit for Disney, and for many years after the movie many children called all Beetles Herbie. This movie trades Dean Jones as Jim Douglas and Buddy Hackett as Tennessee Steinmetz for Helen Hayes as Mrs. Steinmetz (yes, she is related to Tennessee), Stefanie Powers as flight attendant Nicole Harris, and Ken Berry as newly minted lawyer Willoughby Whitfield.
The plot is quite different from the original. Herbie is no longer a race car, but lives a quiet life taking care of Mrs. Steinmetz. Nicole Harris also helps take care of Mrs. Steinmetz, doing so in a very assertive way throughout the movie. We learn very early in the movie that Alonzo Hawk, who also appeared in "The Absent Minded Professor" and "Son of Flubber," has his eye on the fire house where Mrs. Steinmetz lives. However, Mrs. Steinmetz is not in the mood to leave her home, which contains many memories of her late spouse.
Much of this movie involves a lot of silliness. Herbie and Mrs. Steinmetz manage to get up to Alonzo Hawk's office on a window washer, with predicable mayhem. Herbie takes a trip on the cables of the Golden Gate Bridge. Herbie also manages to make a fool of Alonzo Hawk when he attempts to drive Herbie. However, all of these fun little incidents are mere preludes to the last portion of this movie where Disney finally stops fooling around and lets loose.
Mr. Hawk decides to take all of Mrs. Steinmetz's possessions in an attempt to force Mrs. Steinmetz from the fire house. Nicole and Willoughby locate the furniture and take it all back, but only after some of the best scenes in the movie. This movie seems to go faster and faster from this point forward. I will let a viewer find out for themselves how this one ends.
This movie is less fun than "The Love Bug." There are too many contrived scenes and the humor is more forced. However, a lot of the Herbie magic remains. When the movie finally allows Herbie to take the lead this movie has its best, and funniest, moments. The last third of this movie is particularly joyful and I recommend it for fans of the first movie.
I recommended "The Love Bug" as a family movie suitable for all members of the family. "Herbie Rides Again" is also a family movie, but this movie may be less suitable for the youngest members of the family. Alonzo Hawk makes a great villain; in fact, he steals nearly all his scenes, but may also become an inadvertent role model for very young children. I would think that most children by the age of 6 or 7 years old will find this movie funny and enjoyable.
I think fans of Helen Hayes and Stefanie Powers will also enjoy this movie. Helen Hayes is very natural in her role, even when the scenes are absurd. Stefanie Powers takes everything in stride and is the most dynamic person in the movie after Alonzo Hawk.
The Love Bug franchise has seen its share of ups and downs over the years. This movie remains one of the better entries in the series and is worth a couple of viewings, particularly if you are a fan of the original. Pull in the kids, the spouse and make this one a family affair.
Enjoy!
Movie Review: A Disney favorite is back -- this time in widescreen!
Summary: 4 Stars
Predictable, but fun Disney comedy from the 1970's and the best of the Love Bug sequels. Thanks to Disney Home Video for releasing this film in widescreen. Please release all Disney films in their original theatrical ratios and re-release The Moonspinners, Blackbeard's Ghost, and Babes in Toyland in widescreen.Movie Review: Much better than the first....
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this movie much better than the origional Love Bug. I found the actors/characters more likable. I enjoyed Helen Hays character and all her little oddities. The movie is a nice family movie focusing on slapstick humor.Movie Review: Just a poor re-hash of "The Love Bug"
Summary: 2 Stars
Like many sequels, the writers of this one were unable to come up with a new plot idea, so they basically re-hashed the original. Ken Berry takes the Dean Jones role, Stephanie Powers takes the Michelle Lee role, the demise of the firehouse replaces the demise of Herbie, etc, etc. Also like many sequels, the result was poor at best. While it had its moments [the parade of Beetles], for the most part, "Herbie Rides Again" seemed to try to hard to be clever...and as a result, fails.As for the transfer...I couldn't help but notice how "tight" all the scenes with the actors seemed to be...especially the ones inside Herbie. The reason? It appears this movie was filmed in 1.66:1 ratio...and Disney, in its usual infinite wisdom, has trimmed information from the picture to make it fit a 16x9 screen. Geez...even Disney's widescreen movies cut out part of the picture. These guy are just clueless, aren't they?
The sound seemed a little off to me as well, with the music sometimes overwhelming the dialogue.
All that being said, my recommendation is to buy "The Love Bug" [which has an overall excellent transfer, with the exception of one out-of-focus scene in Chinatown], and forget all the sequels.
Movie Review: Take My Advice PLEASE (See for ALL the Herbie Sequels)
Summary: 2 Stars
Disney is NOT adding any features whatsoever for the Herbie, the Love Bug sequels. As a dedicated fan of the star car, I have discovered that so far ONLY Herbie Rides Again will be in Widescreen. The only other thing that could possibly be of any good quality within these discs would be a remastering of the picture and sound. Unless you've given up using your VCR or you are a collector, don't waste your time purchasing the Herbie sequels. Only the original movie, The Love Bug is worthy of it's "Special Edition" title.
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