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Acting
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Directing
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Story
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Carrie Fisher
Director: John Landis
Running Time: 133 mins
The Blues Brothers is an American film about two brothers who are tasked with raising enough funds to keep afloat the Catholic home where they were raised, so they decide to get their old band back together and put on a charity gig.
An iconic comedy it certainly is, but one of the most unique things about The Blues Brothers is the fact that it’s not just about laughs. The film is a funny watch throughout, but its immense energy, passion for music and brilliant performances are what really make it sing and dance.
There’s so much to love about The Blues Brothers, but there’s no better place to start than the terrific performances from Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Starring as two music-loving brothers looking to save their childhood home, not only do the pair have great chemistry, but a hilarious blend of dry wit and zany comic energy.
Belushi, in particular, is so much fun to watch, but is able to bring a little more character to his role than the pure mania of his performance in Animal House.
And it’s not just Aykroyd and Belushi, but also a whole host of brilliant supporting performances and celebrity cameos, including a bizarre series of appearances from Carrie Fisher that are impossible not to laugh at.
Meanwhile, music legends including James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway and more appear in fantastic cameos throughout the movie, all starring as average, everyday characters that burst into song within minutes of stepping onto the screen.
And that’s where the film’s soundtrack comes in. As I said, The Blues Brothers isn’t just about laughs, it’s actually more about the music. Complete with a selection of classic hits that really bring the film to life, the music is a distinct characteristic of this movie.
For the most part, the energy and passion in those musical numbers is such that they’re so much fun to watch, although they do hamper the story’s progress a little, and often too regularly for the film’s own good.
As a result, there’s no doubt The Blues Brothers is a film that’s perfect for music lovers, though viewers with less of a passion for the songs here will likely find the musical numbers occasionally frustrating, particularly when it comes at the expense of laughs.
Overall, there’s no denying how much fun The Blues Brothers is. With great comic energy and immense passion for its music, as well as some brilliant performances, it’s a hugely entertaining watch throughout, even if it’s not overflowing with laughs. So, that’s why I’m giving the film a 7.7.
