The Blues Brothers (1980)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Directors C

  
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] This cult classic is both funny and full of quirky charm, despite it's unnecessary length, and a few of it's comedy sketches going to desperately over the top, which consequently misfires some of… More
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] This cult classic is both funny and full of quirky charm, despite it's unnecessary length, and a few of it's comedy sketches going to desperately over the top, which consequently misfires some of the gags. However, it's the comedic chemistry and energy shared between Dan Aykroyd and the hilarious late John Belushi that makes it work, along with of course, the catchy soundtrack. It's not a solid movie, in fact it's one of the messiest comedies i've ever watched, but I dont care, it's your rare stupid comedy that ends up being lot of fun to watch.

• Alexander D

  
  John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as the titular characters in this very first SNL spin-off...and they're "on a mission from God"? Okay, really. That line is uttered as early as fifteen minutes into the film, and with all the recklessness, drugs, profanity (quite… More
  John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as the titular characters in this very first SNL spin-off...and they're "on a mission from God"? Okay, really. That line is uttered as early as fifteen minutes into the film, and with all the recklessness, drugs, profanity (quite infamously toward a nun!), and crime we have a chance to laugh at in just that amount of time; there's no way that statement is true in any way. That statement has to be one of the most snappy, most unbelievable quotes in movie history; and it's just part of what made THE BLUES BROTHERS a cult classic. Like SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE itself, this film has the tendency to create the most bizarre satire imaginable. From the scene in which the two are crashing a car through the mall, to when Aretha Franklin gets up and starts singing out of the blue, every moment defines the essence of ridiculousness. If you have not yet seen this film, it is an absolute must-see. Aykroyd and Belushi make the most implausible, most sarcastic screen couple of the entire 1980s--and this was just made at the very start of the decade. Rent this for a night or two. You will not regret it.

• Matthew S

  
  This movie shoots for the moon, more committed in its humor than any other comedy. Terrible acting normally contradicts this feeling of quality, but here it makes the script's surreal, off-the-wall sense of humor even better.

• Brad W

  
  Were on a mission from God. Hilarious and great music, a classic.

• moon r

  
  the greatest musical ever made!...and i mean it this time...well, it'll do until one better comes along! unlike the musicals of old in this one nobody looks as if they're trying to get you to like them too hard, and there's the biggest selling point. of course i could… More
  the greatest musical ever made!...and i mean it this time...well, it'll do until one better comes along! unlike the musicals of old in this one nobody looks as if they're trying to get you to like them too hard, and there's the biggest selling point. of course i could mention a cast to die for, music to live for and a car chase so outrageous (in a musical? a car chase? say it ain't so!) you will wear out the rewind button on yer own memory. nobody in this film ever topped this film ... except Mr. Spielberg.

• Tim S

  
  There was a time when John Landis was one of the most genius directors in the business. There was also a time when Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi were two of the most genius comic actors working in Hollywood. There was also also a time when rhythm and blues was the dominate scene in the… More
  There was a time when John Landis was one of the most genius directors in the business. There was also a time when Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi were two of the most genius comic actors working in Hollywood. There was also also a time when rhythm and blues was the dominate scene in the music business. The Blues Brothers brings all of this together in one of the most memorable crowd pleasers in the history of the movie business. I love this movie and I put it on whenever I need a good, old-fashioned, fun time. Pure genius.

• AJ V

  
  A fantastic musical comedy, it's more comedy than music, which is great because it's hilarious. I highly recommend it.

• Kylie B

  
  Quite frankly I think I'm one of those people who just doesn't get it. There were some funny moments (forcing the Nazis over the bridge for one), but overall I found it pretty dull.

• Spencer S

  
  I had no idea what this movie was about when I first saw the cover, but when I started watching it I was amazed. I was thrilled, excited, beyond happy. There's comedy, amazing music, even Nazis falling through the Chicago skyline. Mesmerizing even thirty years later, you will… More
  I had no idea what this movie was about when I first saw the cover, but when I started watching it I was amazed. I was thrilled, excited, beyond happy. There's comedy, amazing music, even Nazis falling through the Chicago skyline. Mesmerizing even thirty years later, you will love if you're a fan of SNL, Animal House, and Ray Charles. 'Nough said.

• David L

  
  Ever since its initial broadcast "Saturday Night Live" has been the launching place for many comedians who use the chance of being in the show as a way to develop their talents and aim for a career on film. As members of the first generation of the show, Dan Aykroyd and John… More
  Ever since its initial broadcast "Saturday Night Live" has been the launching place for many comedians who use the chance of being in the show as a way to develop their talents and aim for a career on film. As members of the first generation of the show, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi were among the first to make the jump from the show to the film industry. Although the pair had moderate success at first, Belushi became a modern icon of American comedy in 1978 with "Animal House". It was after that success when the two friends decided to make a movie about one of the most successful "Saturday Night Live" characters, the pair of R&B singers: "The Blues Brothers". Being his most beloved creation, Aykroyd began to write the full story of the characters, but ended up with over 300 pages of script. It was director John Landis' task to transform Aykroyd's script into a realizable movie. The movie begins with the release from prison of Jake Blues (John Belushi), co-founder and singer of the Blues Brothers band. After being picked up by his brother Elwood (Dan Aykroyd), he is informed that the band broke up after his incarceration and that the Blues Brothers are apparently over. However, after discovering that the old Catholic home where they were raised as kids is going to be sold because of its debts, the brothers decide that its their mission, a mission from God, to get the money to save the house, and the only way to achieve that goal will be to reform the legendary Blues Brothers band. With this idea the brothers set to find the band's former members, but in their way they'll find new enemies in the form of a Neo-Nazi group, a country band, and a mysterious woman who just wants the brothers dead. Written by Aykroyd and Landis, the script is essentially a musical tale that cleverly mixes action and comedy while paying homage to that good old rhythm and blues music that both were so fond of. While Aykroyd's extensive and detailed account of the characters' history has been transformed into a simpler, straight forward plot by Landis, the change is very effective as this way to unfold the story is more in tone with the frank and raw attitude of the brothers. The story is fast paced, as the brothers' tale of redemption is one of high octane energy with powerful musical performances and insane car chases that never make the story boring or tiresome. Making up for the simple plot are the very likable personalities of the two main characters, who carry the movie with their charm and a presence that proves that a memorable character is more than a collection of one liners. In this his fourth movie as a director, John Landis once again demonstrated why he was one of the most promising directors of the early 80s, showing a significant growth in his style of directing comedy that clearly set the basis for his 1981 masterpiece, "An American Werewolf in London". Already a master of the direction of big and complex set pieces, Landis takes this to a new level with the amazing car chases conceived for the film. With a bigger budget than in his three previous efforts, Landis creates an explosive musical that perfectly represents everything that Aykroyd and Belushi conceived as "The Blues Brothers". The duo's main trait is the music, and Landis knew this well, so the film is filled not only with the brothers' interpretations of R&B classics, but also the ones by real R&B legends such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Cab Calloway among others. As expected, the performances by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd are of an excellent quality. While less over the top than in "Animal House", Belushi's genius for comedy shines through the film in his energetic role of Jake Blues, who is the one who receives the "mission from God". As the laconic Elwood, Dan Aykroyd delivers the subtler comedy in the movie, and shows a complete domain of his character. Together the pair make an excellent team that not only deliver fun comedy but also make an outstanding musical duo. While the Blues brothers are certainly the focus of the story, the vast array of guest stars that appear through the film deliver terrific performances when singing (Ray Charles, James Brown), acting (John Candy, Carrie Fisher) or both (Cab Calloway). The musical performances are simply top notch and make the film really special. As written above, the movie is first and foremost a musical homage to Chicago, so those expecting a laugh riot comedy will definitely find a different kind of beast. This is not to say that there is no comedy, on the contrary, the movie is filled with a good amount of laughs, but the focus of the film remains on the music. Still, "The Blues Brothers" is not your typical musical, as its fast pace makes it a thrilling ride like no other movie, and probably the features that most perfectly represents this are the amazing car chases that the stunt team developed for the movie. As in a rocking dance of destruction, the cars crash and smash across the streets of Chicago in some of the most incredible stunts on film. Some have criticized the emphasis put on this scenes, but I think that they fit perfectly in the mood and tone of the brothers themselves. Without a doubt the Blues brothers are two of the best and most famous characters created by Belushi and Aykroyd, and this movie truly makes them justice. While not the deepest or most insightful movie ever, "The Blues Brothers" is definitely one of the most entertaining ones, and its magic lays in that frank simplicity that surrounds the movie's story. Raw and direct, "The Blues Brothers" is a movie that truly makes Chicago feel like home. Hands down one of my favorite films. If your one of the few who haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and check out this classic. You won't be disappointed.

• Chris W

  
  I'm not gonna lie: this movie is ridiculously bloated and self-indulgent, but man does it kick ass. It's also probably the best SNL related film ever made as well. From the music to the cameos, quotable dialogue, and ridiculous car chases, this movie is nothing but… More
  I'm not gonna lie: this movie is ridiculously bloated and self-indulgent, but man does it kick ass. It's also probably the best SNL related film ever made as well. From the music to the cameos, quotable dialogue, and ridiculous car chases, this movie is nothing but memorable. It pokes fun at car chases cliches while simultaneously becoming the type of movie it riffs on. There's so much mayhem and destruction in this film that's it's nuts. If you don't like the blues, then you shouldn't see this movie. But, if you can at least tolerate it, and appreciate different styles of humor, then you'll probably find something to enjoy here. The performances are great and very iconic. Most (but not all) of the musical numbers are awesome and very well done. My favorite is the "Minnie the Moocher" sequence. I wish they'd make more movies like this nowadays. I mean, c'mon they really were driving 115 mph during one of the car chases-that's awesome, just like this film.

• Lenny M

  
  Classic Blues Update: This movie is Mr. Bombastic, over 2 hours long, never realized the ridiculousness of this movie. Extreme car chases and pileups, Nazis, blues legends cameos, Nuns, Hillbillies, orphans, Subways, songs from "The Jazz Singer". Made the last one up but… More
  Classic Blues Update: This movie is Mr. Bombastic, over 2 hours long, never realized the ridiculousness of this movie. Extreme car chases and pileups, Nazis, blues legends cameos, Nuns, Hillbillies, orphans, Subways, songs from "The Jazz Singer". Made the last one up but there are showtunes. It's so long and different from anything that had been released before, exhausted.

• xGary X

  
  Jake and Elwood Blues are on a mission from god to put their band back together and raise money to stop the closure of their childhood orphanage. Looked at objectively, The Blues Brothers is one of THE most blatant exercises in self-indulgence ever perpetrated in cinema; it's… More
  Jake and Elwood Blues are on a mission from god to put their band back together and raise money to stop the closure of their childhood orphanage. Looked at objectively, The Blues Brothers is one of THE most blatant exercises in self-indulgence ever perpetrated in cinema; it's obviously just a bunch of guys who got together and decided to wreck a load of police cars, blow some buildings up and dance around to their favourite tunes. Despite (or more likely, because of) this, it's become a huge cult. On the surface there doesn't appear to be as many laughs as there should, but that's probably more to do with the fact that the film is a good half hour longer than it should be than anything else. Aykroyd and Belushi's deadpan delivery works perfectly amid the slapstick carnage, and there are lots of funny moments, not least their visit with the penguin, the restaurant scene, Jake's reconciliation with a homicidal Carrie Fisher and the hilariously over the top final chase sequence when they are pursued by the entire Illinois police department, the national guard, a redneck country and western band and the Chicago chapter of the American Nazi party! But what this film is really all about is the music, and it contains some of the greats of blues, soul and R'n'B (and I mean REAL R'n'B, not the soulless drivel that sounds like Stephen Hawking yodelling nursery rhymes that infests the charts these days). In the space of three scenes you have performances by John Lee Hooker, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. If you can't appreciate that then you don't deserve to own a pair of ears.

• Lady D

  
  After a slightly slow start, this film turns into a thoroughly entertaining show, with lots of characters, plenty of action, great songs and a cast that provides some great famous performers. ~This also seems to be the musical that most lads enjoy also.

• Anthony L

  
  One of the coolest films ever made, I love it!

• Thomas B

  
  this is one of the greatest comedies of all time. with more great lines than you can poke a stick at and fantastic acting on the part of dan akroyd and john belushi, this movie is brilliant

• Phil H

  
  Absolute classic, no other words can say more, the music, performers, comedy, car chases, its almost historical because of the performers alone. The fact that Aykroyd and Belushi were able to perform as an actual band after this shows how good they were...and the movie.

• Mister C

  
  A classic! John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd were the masters of their domain and they fucking rule!!

• Cassie H

  
  The most hillarious movie. John Belushi,and Dan Ackroyd are GREAT

• A B

  
  Cult classic set in Chicago and featuring many music legends.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings