Blues Brothers (1980) - A Movie Review

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"The Blues Brothers" is a musical comedy written by Dan Aykroyd and John Landis based on characters in "The Blues Brothers" recurring musical sketches on "Saturday Night Live" and was released in 1980. The movie is directed by John Landis. It received mostly positive reviews and has become a cult classic. CAST John Belushi - "Joliet" Jake Blues Dan Aykroyd - Elwood Blues James Brown - Reverand Cleophus James Cab Calloway - Curtis Ray Charles - Ray Carrie Fisher - Mystery Woman Henry Gibson - Head Nazi John Lee Hooker - Street Slim John Candy - Burton Mercer "Joliet" Jake Blues is being paroled on good behavior from Joliet Correctional Center after serving three of his five-year sentence. His brother, Elwood, picks him up. They are the Blues Brothers. Elwood traded in their old Cadillac for a microphone and now drives a used Plymouth police car. It has cop tires, cop suspension and a 440 cubic-inch engine. Elwood convinces Jake that this is the new Bluesmobile. They go to the Catholic orphanage that they grew up in in downtown Chicago to see the "Penguin", Sister Mary Stigmata, head nun. She tells them that she needs $5,000 to pay property taxes or the orphanage will be closed. Jake and Elwood meet up with their old friend Curtis, a handyman for the orphanage. He advises them to "get yourself to church". They go to a Baptist church where Reverand Cleophus James delivers an uplifting sermon. Jake "sees the light" and realizes that they must put the Blues Brothers Band back together and raise the $5,000. They are on a "mission from God". Elwood runs a red light and gets pulled over by a local State Trooper. State Trooper Daniel and Mount ask for Elwood's driver's license and registration. Through a database system they learn that Elwood has a number of outstanding traffic tickets and moving violations. The Troopers intend to impound the car. Elwood takes off and two additional cars join in the chase. The Blues Brothers get away but not before destroying a shopping mall by driving through it. Troopers Daniel and Mount vow to catch or kill the Blues Brothers. If you want to know what happens next, you will have to watch the movie. This movie is full of action (I can't believe how many cars they wreck), music and comedy. There are cameo appearances by Twiggy, Steven Spielberg and more. This movie is a timeless classic. I heartily give this movie my recommendation. This movie is rated R. Photo Credit: Pixabay