The Blues Brothers (Widescreen 25th Anniversary Edition)
by John Landis
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Cab Calloway, Dan Aykroyd, James Brown, John Belushi, John CandyDirector: John Landis
Brand: Universal Studios
Writer: Dan Aykroyd
Cinematographer: Stephen M. Katz
Writer: John Landis
Producer: Bernie Brillstein
Producer: David Sosna
Producer: George Folsey Jr.
Producer: Robert K. Weiss
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 133 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-08-30
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of The Blues Brothers (Widescreen 25th Anniversary Edition)
Movie Review: Brilliant Comedy with a Powerful Message of Redemption, Self-sacrifice, and Hope...
Summary: 5 Stars
The Blues Brothers, Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood (Dan Aykroyd), are two beaten brothers who have been pushed to the edge of society where no one cares. Life is a constant struggle, a position they have been all too familiar with for as long as they can remember. They grew up at the Saint Helen Orphanage in the city of Chicago where the nuns provided them with the motherly upbringing of righteousness and properness. Their fatherly role model lived in the basement, Curtis (Cab Calloway), who educated Jake and Elwood in the secrets of music and the other pleasures of life. It would be accurate to say that Curtis had a stronger influence on them throughout their childhood. In adulthood, Jake and Elwood still face adversity while trying to find their way back into the world.
The film opens with a number of shots of the Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois. These shots provide a symbolical opening for a difficult beginning, as walls and barbwire from the prison overwhelm the audience. This beginning could also be a visual allusion of Jake and Elwood's life, which could suggest that much has been withheld from them since childhood in regards to nurturing. In addition, this is Jake's release day from the penitentiary due to good behavior, which also offers the notion of new beginnings. Ironically, when Jake exits the prison his brother Elwood waits with a police car, as he has gotten rid of their car in a trade for a microphone. A deal that Jake appreciates, as they both live for music.
The first thing that Elwood does when Jake is released from jail is to fulfill the promise that he made two years earlier to Sister Mary (Kathleen Freeman), which is to visit her at the Saint Helen Orphanage. Unwillingly Jake follows his brother into the orphanage where they relive old memories of punishment and the eerie presence of an unknown power. However, a pleasant encounter with Curtis makes the visit worthwhile, as the audience learns that they picked up the black suits, sunglasses, white shirt and black tie from their childhood role model, Curtis. From their visit with both Sister Mary and Curtis they learn that the orphanage is about to be sold to the Board of Education, as a tax assessment on the orphanage has set the church back $5,000.
Again, adversity appears, but this time it is not their struggle. The Blues Brothers have been given a second chance that requires altruism and righteousness in which they can redeem themselves. Curtis encourages them to go to church, a specific church where they can meet Reverend Cleophus (James Brown). In a musically powerful and amusing scene Reverend Cleophus delivers a message to Jake through a higher power that says, "The band." Together Jake and Elwood set out to ensemble their old band with which they intend to collect the $5,000 that the orphanage owes the county.
John Landis directs a visually stunning and musically enchanting comedy that delivers a powerful message of redemption, self-sacrifice, and hope. The breathtaking characterization by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd enhance the visual experience, as they set out on a mesmerizing 10-day tour to accumulate money for the orphanage, as they are forced to step into situations where unselfishness is needed. The police, nazi's, and a crazed woman are on their heels among many others, but as Elwood first says, "They are not going to catch us. We are on a mission from god." This implies that nothing can stop them, and visually Landis creates an over the top car chase that goes into the history books that supports this notion.
Ultimately, Blues Brothers will leave many viewers with bellyaching laughter, moving selflessness, and an unforgettable story. What truly touches the audience besides the laughter, music, or the terrific adventure is the details in the film. The details in the mise-en-scene help provide an authentic environment and an authentic struggle. Unlike so many other comedies, Blues Brothers does not try to live on simply situational comedy, but a deeper meaning and a more complex situation. The cinematic experience is neatly tied together by Landis, which delivers a sincere comedy that warms the heart and brings people together through the struggle of blues.
Summary of The Blues Brothers (Widescreen 25th Anniversary Edition)
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