The Blues Brothers: Critic Reviews

This essentially modest movie is reported to have cost about $30 million, and what did all that money buy? Scores of car crashes. Too many extras. Overstaged dance numbers. And a hollowness that certainly didn't come cheap.

The mere spectacle of Elwood and Jake in their shades isn't quite as giggle-inducing as it presumably was back in 1980, but the stunts are still awe-inspiring, and there's plenty of laughs. They really were thinking big.

There's even room, in the midst of the carnage and mayhem, for a surprising amount of grace, humor, and whimsy.

The humor is predicated on underplaying in overscaled situations, which is sporadically funny in a Keaton-esque way but soon sputters out through sheer, uninspired repetition.

Given all the chaos, director and, with Aykroyd, cowriter, John Landis manages to keep things reasonably controlled and in a straight line.

A demolition symphony that works with the cold efficiency of a Moog synthesizer gone sadistic.

A cult classic for adults and older teens.

This long, expensive 1980 cult movie has an energy and individuality lacking in similar films nowadays.

An undisciplined, overlong tale that substitutes spectacle and star cameos (Twiggy, Steven Spielberg, etc) for a coherent narrative.

Formless, chaotic and lazy, and quite brilliant because of it.

The film retains a huge nostalgic kick, thanks in large part to Aykroyd and Belushi's easy rapport, a smattering of daft, shaggy humour and some truly iconic musical sequences.

Full of belly-laughs as well as toe-tappingly great tunes, the sharp suits and cool shades of the Blues brothers will have you rocking with joy.

I have never been quite sure why this $30 million comedy made by John Landis in 1980 became such a cult.

An inspired combination of wild comedy, a demented car chase, a double act that dovetails beautifully and terrific music, The Blues Brothers comfortably survives the test of time.

A monument to waste, noise and misplaced cool, but it does have its engagingly nutty moments.

Still sounds great, and looks as good as ever through Ray-Bans.

A damn fine mess of a movie.

A cult musical comedy film with a still-growing reputation.

Context is crucial: This messy, self-indulgent comedy was made at the height of SNL and Muppet Show, catapulting to pop-culture icon status Belushi, Aykroyd and Candy, though best moments are those of performers like Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles.

I am never not amused by the Blues Brothers.

Frequently over-the-top and aggressively raucous, it's one of my very favorite comedies -- and musicals.

You've never known fun until you've watched this!