Caffeinated Clint
“Lets then make a new grouping for unique films like John Landis’s unique merge of laughs, melody and action – “the simply darn good” category” – Clint Morris
John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Carrie Fisher, Kathleen Freeman, John Candy, Henry Gibson, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin
To call “The Blues Brothers” (1980) a musical would probably give one the impression that it’s leads breaking into song, cartoon squirrels busting into rap, and a story as thin as a New York-style Pizza base. On the other hand, simply calling it a comedy doesn’t quite work either. Is it just another so-so comedy starring a couple of SNL regulars? A typically 80’s t’n’a farce? Belushi’s reasonably amusing “Animal House” follow-up? Lets then make a new grouping for unique films like John Landis’s unique merge of laughs, melody and action – “the simply darn good” category.
One of the rare “Saturday Night Live” sketches to actually succeed as a big-screen movie, “The Blues Brothers” told the yarn of a couple of blues-loving hoodlums (Aykroyd and Belushi) who get their ol’ band back together to raise money for the orphanage they were raised in – which is on the verge of closing, and in short, it’s just great – the performances, the music, the writing, the car stacks…it had a little bit of everything and then some.
For the first time, 12 minutes of previously unseen footage has been re-added to the film for its 25th Anniversary. There was more footage, says Landis, but unfortunately it was unusable. Still, there’s some terrific new scenes here, including Elwood quitting his job, a moment that explains how the Bluesmobile gets its power and an extended version of the street performance by John Lee Hooker. For purists, the original theatrical version is also included though.
Audio and Video-wise, no complaints. Yes, there is a bit of grain noticeable on the print in spots, but no big deal, for a film this age – you’d be surprised if there wasn’t the odd minor blemish.
Extras spill over onto both sides of the DVD. On Disc 1, there’s a long – and I mean, long! – documentary on the film, largely fixing on the music. Aykroyd has some great stories to tell here.
Over on Disc 2, there’s a tribute to the late great John Belushi (featuring brother, Jim), a few minutes of behind-the-scenes footage of a “Blues Brothers” concert tour, a doco about the legacy of the film and how the music did wonders for the blues genre, and a couple of other bits and pieces.
If you already own “The Blues Brothers” on DVD there’s probably no real reason to double-dip, but if you’re still without a copy – then you can’t go pass this version.
Rating : 
Reviewer : Clint Morris
