Herbie Fully Loaded Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Start your engines...
He's back!
Maggie Peyton (Lindsay Lohan), the first Peyton to graduate from college receives a graduation present from her dad (Michael Keaton) and as she's about to get a 250Z, she instead receives a Volkswagon Bug (Herbie) and Herbie takes her for a ride. Herbie takes her to "Kevins Custom Car Shop" run by her best friend Kevin (Justin Long) where they take Herbie for a test drive and end up at a car show where Herbie beats all-time racer Trip Murphy (Matt Dillon)in an impromptu street race. Trip demands a rematch and attempts to discover the secret behind Herbie. But Magwheels's biggest challenge isn't the up and coming Daytona 500, It's proving to her dad that she's good enough to be the next great Peyton.
| Lindsay Lohan | Maggie Peyton |
| Michael Keaton | Ray Peyton Sr. |
| Matt Dillon | Trip Murphy |
| Breckin Meyer | Ray Peyton Jr. |
| Justin Long | Kevin |
| Cheryl Hines | Sally |
| Jimmi Simpson | Crash |
| Jill Ritchie | Charisma |
| Thomas Lennon | Larry Murphy |
| Jeremy Roberts | Crazy Dave |
| E.E. Bell | Beeman |
| Peter Pasco | Juan Hernandez |
| Mario Larraza | Miguel Hernandez |
| Patrick Cranshaw | Jimmy D. |
| Scoot McNairy | Augie |
| Angela Robinson |
4.70 out of 10 (11645 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Cheesy and Corny yet Fun and Enjoyable
posted on 20 Aug 2009I have been hearing things about "Herbie: Fully Loaded" for at least the past 6 months. I saw the trailer and was not impressed at all; saw the dull poster which also didn't do anything for me. I also have to admit, I was very leery to see this film especially after such a lame trailer, dull poster and hearing about Lindsay Lohan's recent behavior and seeing how she looks like a poor, sickly child from Nigeria. But anyway, I went to see the movie anyway at a sneak preview nonetheless and despite all Lohan's bad publicity lately and the film's lousy marketing campaign, I was actually pretty impressed with the final product of "Herbie: Fully Loaded." "Herbie: Fully Loaded" takes off right where the other movies left off. Herbie is now washed up and in the junk yard just about to be made into strap metal but just then Maggie (A healthy and attractive looking Linday Lohan) comes to the junk yard to get a car. Why a junk yard you may ask? Because her dad (Michael Keaton) is a NASCAR Coach and so he knows how to repair cars. So Maggie decides to buy Herbie and before you can say Love Bug, Maggie notices that Herbie has a mind of his own, not to mention has the power to be a race car. And so the cheesy but fun Herbie adventure begins.I actually enjoyed this film which came as a huge shock to me. Like I said earlier this movie had some of the worst marketing and advertising that I have ever seen for a film. However, I am very grateful that the film didn't actually suck like the marketing on this film did. So anyway, having seen the earlier Herbie films I was actually very impressed with this one.It was also good to see a healthy and attractive Lindsay Lohan again on screen. I have been seeing nothing but this anorectic, skinny, ugly girl on the cover of various magazines for the past month or so. I am really sad that Hollywood has gotten to her head because the girl has talent; she's just falling into the fame and fortune trap of Hollywood. But I don't want to get into my feelings on Lohan right now but just comment on how much I enjoyed her performance in the movie, and how it is probably my favorite role for her since Freaky Friday. Michael Keaton was also very good in his role as the father figure. He also plays one heck of a believable NASCAR Coach. Also I would like to mention Justin Long (Kevin in the film) who is one of Hollywood's new up and coming actors. I really dig this guy in his previous films like "Dodgeball", "Galaxy Quest" & "Jeepers Creepers", along with his role in this film. The guy plays very likable characters and I really liked him as the long lost friend in Herbie. Also Matt Dillon stars as NASCAR Driver Trip Murphy who plays the bad guy with no problem at all which isn't hard since Matt Dillon usually always plays the jerk or unlikable character.The film's most enjoyable character is of course Herbie who as long as you can remember is a classic character can still be enjoyed. I liked how they updated Herbie a bit but didn't over do it. It was enjoyable to see the connection between Herbie and Maggie. Herbie of course is extremely far fetched like the whole racing in the NASCAR tournament but you cheer for him because he is the underdog. It's nice to see a simple family movie like this being released into theaters at a time where computer animation films like "Shrek", "The Incredibles", and "Madagascar" are kings. I know this movie doesn't compare to the first two films mentioned but I feel it's just as good as "Madagascar" or a lot of other family films released in the last few years. Like I said, it's a simple yet enjoyable film. It has nothing that would offend any children and is enjoyable for Herbie fans and as well as adults.The film's most memorable scene for me was the scene where Herbie just got bought and comes out of the junk yard and Maggie is trying to drive him to the repair shop to meet up with Kevin (Justin Long) but she finds out that Herbie has a mind of his own and Herbie drives her. It becomes very enjoyable from this point to see how Herbie and Maggie share their emotions going through anger, sadness, and the feeling of being unwanted.So in the end, "Herbie: Fully Loaded" is much better then the bad trailers lead it to be. It has a lot of heart, a decent story, and is as enjoyable as the previous Herbie Films. Herbie gets a little upgrade and they throw in some corny love bug jokes but hey they are harmless and can be taken with a grain of salt. Overall, I was happy to see Lindsay Lohan looking healthy and enjoying herself on screen along with an old fashioned family film that we rarely see anymore. I think if you're a fan of Herbie you should see this, if you have kids take them and enjoy, and finally if you have nothing to better to do and want to see a harmless, fun film check out "Herbie: Fully Loaded" because although it's pretty cheesy its also a fun and enjoyable time.MovieManMenzel's final rating for "Herbie: Fully Loaded" is a 7 out of 10.
A Volkswagen Buggy is back on track and is racing full speed for the prize money with Maggie Peyton(Lohan) behind it's wheel.
posted on 08 Aug 2009Very interesting and full of adventure!!!With a bit of romance it makes a perfect film!This is the best film yet for Lohan but in the future I'm sure that she will entertain and wow her fans with her amazing talent. Not to mention her wonderful album "Speak" which in my opinion is a big hit!! How good is Lindsay? No one will ever know. Why you ask? Well because once people get older they become more mature and when they do they can make more interesting films or whatever your occupation is and also your talent increases and so will your knowledge.Lindsay is not all yet done with the films she has a couple more films on the way and she is soon going to let loose her new film"Just My Luck". Let's hope that "Just My Luck" is going to be as big success as "Herbie:Fully Loaded" Congreats Lindsay Lohan as Maggie Peyton!
A top film for the whole family!
posted on 04 Aug 2009I really can't understand the bad reviews this film has received. It's a family movie and should be viewed as such. Teenagers paying to see it just because of the sex appeal of the leading lady were clearly watching it for all the wrong reasons!I took my kids (aged 4 and 5) to see it and we all loved every minute! It's wonderful to see a film with good morals and no crude jokes or bad language.The director has done a great job of capturing the innocence and humour of the original films. The whole cast (including several top NASCAR drivers!) gives a fabulous performance and the special effects really make Herbie come to life.I wasn't expecting to be entertained much by this and only went because my kids are too young to go alone. I came out of the theatre very impressed and really glad I had seen it - something which doesn't happen too often with adult-themed movies! If you have kids under the age of 10, then go see it or buy the DVD - you won't regret it!
Silly, but a lot of laughs
posted on 02 Aug 2009Herbie returns and is entered in a NASCAR race.Believe it or not, this has a lot of laughs in it. Of course, they all come only when Herbie is in the scene and that's okay. It works. Yes, it is a silly movie, but the laughs make up for the corny story where Maggie (Lohan), who used to race, is forbidden by her father (Keaton) to race again (she had an accident); and she falls in love with the kid mechanic. But all promises are off when Herbie makes himself known. No, Herbie doesn't talk, but makes his presence known by manipulating his chassis and other parts, some containing liquids. Really well done. I had many, many good laughs here.It doesn't matter who the human actors are in here. Well, except for Mat Dillon. When he plays a bad-guy part he does it to perfection. He plays one of the stars in the NASCAR circuit and considers himself God's gift to racing and everything else.I did find a flaw in this movie. In the beginning, newsreels show car 53 (Herbie) winning all kinds of races in the 1960s. Car 53 was the metallic equivalent of Sea Biscuit uniting the country as did the little horse. Now we are in 2005 and Herbie reappears. No broadcaster or other racing driver or fan remembers Car 53 from the 1960s. It' like there was no history of Car 53. Here in 2005, it's all new. I thought this was strange especially after the movie started with the newsreels. I think probably something got left out on the cutting room floor. Oh, well. Still, this doesn't take anything away from the laughs.Dale Earnhardt Jr. makes a short appearance.Silly or not, it's a good family movie that delivers a lot of laughs.
Awesome Movie
posted on 17 Jun 2009Very well done -- the cast was perfect, the script well thought out and written. Obviously, the crew were fans or familiar with the originals and picked up on the little details that makes Herbie so lovable.This is not a remake and I so greatly appreciate that. Herbie is a classic and this is a great addition. I rented this movie along with another for research and enjoyed it so much. I can't wait for my 12 yr old son to come home from school so I can watch it again. Oh, the music, from my era and Herbie has always been my love bug, but it was awesome to hear the songs again. My 16 yr old will roll his eyes, but then next week, he'll be playing the music. He's discovering my era had the best music and movies. Herbie is great to break the generation gap.
Joey goes to the movies; HERBIE FULLY LOADED
posted on 09 Jun 2009With the god-awful trailer and the "Lindsay Lohan" factor, I was fully prepared for Herbie to crash and burn. But, Herbie managed to enchant me with its cheerful feel. Herbie was a pleasant surprise.Herbie tells the story of what happened after the original 70's and 80's films. Herbie has supposedly fallen from glory in a nicely put together opening-credits scene. Herbie is then forced to a junk yard, where he is discovered by a fresh-out-of-college Maggie Peyton (who is played by Lindsay Lohan). Maggie's family has a history of car racing, but Maggie has decided to take a job at ESPN instead (oh yes, product and company placement is abound in this movie). She stumbles upon Herbie after her father (Michael Keaton) decides to buy her a car from the junkyard for graduation (wow, how flattering). At first, Maggie thinks that Herbie is just a piece of junk, but after Herbie reunites her with her high school sweetheart Kevin (Justin Long) and helps her race and beat hotshot NASCAR driver Trip Murphy (Matt Dillon), Herbie finds a special spot in Maggie's heart.Now, what is good about this movie is that it was made in a manner that kept both the kids and the parents in mind. The kids have the funny antics of Herbie to laugh at, while the adults are kept entertained with the nostalgia factor of Herbie being brought back for today's audiences. The film really does have something for everyone, and it also has a great charm and fun feeling to it. It is an upbeat and highly entertaining film that many people will grow to love.The acting is also what you would expect for a movie like this. While Lindsay Lohan has matured a great deal from Freaky Friday, you still get that feeling that she is a child at heart having fun while making her movies, and while she does not necessarily give a good performance (by no means bad), she gives an efficient one. Michael Keaton and Matt Dillon are OK in their roles also, and Cheryl Hines (TV's Curb Your Enthusiasm) does a good job at what little she has to work with. Also, the robot/animatronic Herbie car is also very entertaining to watch. It really feels like Herbie is a living breathing thing. It was a smart move to have made Herbie animatronic, for a fully CGI Herbie would have ruined the authentic feel the film has.The film also is one of those unoriginal troubled-main-character-attempts-great-obstacle-yet-triumphs-greatly (this time, Maggie must race Herbie in a NASCAR event), but it is kept from falling into the hole where the nameless other films like this are by its over-the-top feel. Yes, none of the people in the film think that it is weird that Herbie is essentially a living breathing car, but it is OK because this film has a fantasy-like feel to it that truly feels magical. And while I am starting to sicken myself with all of these nicey-nice remarks about the film, it really does inspire such feelings as warmth and fun. It is a child's feel-good movie.BOTTOM LINE: Herbie Fully Loaded is a treat for the whole family to enjoy. The kids will love the comically-injected Herbie, the adults will love the nostalgia factor, and the teen/older child in your family will be delighted at the fact that one of today's hottest young stars is in it. Herbie is truly a joy and is definitely a worthwhile summer movie. I enjoyed myself immensely.Letter Grade: B #Score: 7/10 Stars: ***/4
Surprisingly fun!
posted on 09 Jun 2009While not as fun as the original Herbie movies (The Love Bug and Herbie Rides Again), the movie is put together well without being choppy. While the plot line is predictable and the writing unmemorable, the performances are fun, making the movie run smooth. The car with a personality is still just as easy to love! Memorable performances include Matt Dillon (he must have had a lot of fun), and who doesn't like to see Michael Keaton in anything he does? Filled with some of my favorite has-beens and never-will-bes, the only disappointment was Lindsay Lohan, in one of her least memorable or cute performances. A bit of mindless fun whenever you don't need to concentrate.
Laugh-Out-Loud Comedy
posted on 04 May 2009I thought that the movie was really great. There wasn't any drawn out boring scenes that didn't keep your attention. All the scenes were needed and helped push the movie along. I'm glad that I got my nachos before it started. This movie actually had you cheering for more. Lohan did awesome. I felt like she pulled off the race car driver girl thing. It was refreshing to see Michael Keaton on screen. I don't have one complaint about the movie. It kept me so intrigued that I forgot about the yucky, over-priced nacho cheese that I had bought. I wouldn't mind seeing this movie again. It was a surprisingly good movie and I enjoyed it.
As a sequel (it's NOT a remake, people!), it was fun. Unnecessary, but fun.
posted on 30 Apr 2009Many reviewers have droned on and on, detailing the plot and the synopsis. I don't know why every reviewer believes that giving the plot ad nauseum will lend some sort of credibility to their opinions. I won't do that, as you can read the plot in just about every other review.This movie was wholly unnecessary, as it really failed to accomplish anything in the annals of Disney except remind a younger generation that Herbie was once a well loved Disney vehicle. Frankly, if it weren't for Lohan's robust performance, this movie would have been absolute swill. The movie itself was completely superfluous, but Lohan's portrayal lent an air of extemporaneity which all but saved the entire production.And yet, somewhere in the middle, this work seems confused as to whether it wants to objectify women, or deify them. Will Maggie (Lohan) be true to herself, or will she cower to her father's (Keaton's) fears? For a while there, it seems as if the director or screenwriters were waffling as to which position she would take. If it was meant to draw the viewer in, or lend ANY form of suspense as to whether or not it would happen, it was a feckless attempt, as we (the audience) already knew the answer! It's a Disney movie! While it did have problems and, as I said earlier in this review, was a totally unnecessary venture, it was still fun to watch.It rates a 7.3/10 for Lohan's performance from...the Fiend :.
Good clean unpretentious fun that is as charming and winning as it is silly
posted on 26 Apr 2009Maggie Peytton is not overly impressed when her graduation gift from her race driver father is a busted VW beetle. Planning to ditch it at a gathering of car fans, Maggie inadvertently finds herself in a promotional street race with undefeated NASCAR champion Trip Murphy. What nobody knows is that this little VW is none other than former sensation Herbie – sadly now confined to the scrap heap of history (literally). When Maggie wins, Murphy is outraged and sets out to engineer a rematch while Maggie tries to work out quite what it is about this little car that makes her drive so fast.I think it is important to come into this film as a fan of the Herbie films rather than someone for whom the laws of thermodynamics must be rigidly applied across all film genres. I say this because much of the film is absurd and there will be those wringing their hands about the simply impossible moves that the little car makes, however these same people should also keep in mind that they are watching a film about a mischievous car that is alive. It is important to enter into the spirit of the film and, in fairness, Fully Loaded does help the viewer as much as possible by being wonderfully charming and disarming.It doesn't really have a bad bone in its body and I must admit that I found it refreshingly clean family entertainment that was easy to enjoy even if it was just as easy to forget. Of course if you're not sold on this charm and find it grating or silly from the start then you should bail out because it will not get easier for you as it gets sillier the longer it goes on. Director Robinson delivers a good clean script really well, not making it post0ironic but totally hitting the innocent charm that made the character so good in the first place. Herbie himself is quite fun but it is the main cast that do the harder job of getting the mood right.Ignore her real-life personae and just watch Lohan for what she does here and you'll find her performance to be quite good and fitting the film. Keaton, Dillon, Long and Meyer are all solid and provide the film with a professional feel in the cast. Overall then this is a fun and clean family film that is surprisingly charming and effective. Getting into the swing with it is important as the action is very silly at times and it is only if you are feeling it that you can forgive it. For me, I was right there with it and enjoyed it for the simple fun it was.
Classic
posted on 16 Apr 2009I've heard a lot of negative things about this film, but when it comes down to it my family love it. It's fun, funny and the soundtrack is upbeat and fun.I took my 3 and a half year old to the cinema to see it and he sat really well through the whole movie, watching Herbie and jumping in his seat with excitement during the racing scenes.No-one can argue with the fun factor of this film. Forget about Lindsey Lohan's press ... it doesn't matter one bit when she's being Maggie! My sons favourite scene is when Herbie bashes the monster truck ... the sense of happiness is incredible in that scene, as Lohan does a great job looking like she's happy to be back driving in Herbie and you really feel like love conquers.All of the emotional tools are put to fantastic use - it does exactly what it should, takes you through all of the emotions.We've suffered a long time without a Herbie movie and I think this film proves that it's time to bring back the bug! Roll on more Herbie movies, that's what I say!
Come on it was cute.
posted on 29 Mar 2009OK I liked this movie. I'm 42 years old and I have a 6 year old and 3 year old. We watched this at the drive-in and the kids loved it. My 3 year old would ask questions and he laughed a lot. He almost cried when Herbie would get banged against a wall. It's not Oscar material by any stretch, but if you have fond memories from the original movies as a kid then you'll enjoy taking your little ones to this flick.Lindsay Lohan does a good job playing the daughter of a racing dad that wants to race. The father wants the son to race and not her. Yes I know it's all so typical, but it'd for kids not you. Take the kids buy up a bunch of popcorn and lemonade and have funny talking all the way through the movie. If people complain tell them they are in the wrong theater. If you miss some dialog it really doesn't matter.7/10 Best at a drive-in.
Good for family, not for me to watch alone--
posted on 27 Mar 2009Like I said, this would be a good family film to watch with my brothers and sisters (Some of them are little kids, and two of them are 'older'), but this isn't something I would watch on my own and really enjoy it. The original Herbie's were better, I expected more of this movie, but not a whole much.1. It had cheap laughs (some were OK) 2. It was aimed for families and young children 3. It was just a little to hard to follow, and a bit un-realistic, (of course, a car with a brain is un-realisct.) 4.Predictable 5. Payed to much money to see a film I didn't really enjoy
Herbie is FUN!
posted on 23 Mar 2009What a surprise - i wasn't going to watch this film at all. The original sequels were increasingly disappointing and i'm not a Lohan fan. But i got a free ticket with the DVD of the original Love Bug, and found myself really enjoying this latest foray by Herbie - INSPITE of myself! A lot of fun. I'll buy it on DVD for sure.I hope they do a sequel - hell - i'd love to see Lohan return even. It would be nice to see the same driver behind the wheel for more than one movie, which hasn't happened since Dean Jones. I don't know what they'd do for a sequel maybe someone can steal Herbie, or maybe he gets amnesia and the Peyton's have to rescue him? and he can find more friends along the way? who knows but one thing is for sure - i'll be disappointed if they don't bring Herbie back for another helping. Great fun - i think i may watch it again.
Disney's return to successful formula; some laughs...
posted on 23 Mar 2009Lindsay Lohan plays a Los Angeles college grad from a NASCAR family whose graduation present from pop Michael Keaton is the same '63 Volkswagen Beetle from 1968's "The Love Bug" and its horde of cinematic follow-ups. 'Herbie', a car with a mind of its own, not only gets Lohan back on the racing track, but plays matchmaker for her and a cute auto-mechanic as well. Not especially imaginative, but a nice family film with some mild laughs (one which is sweetly in-tune with its '70s roots). The story denouement is utterly predictable, and the performances are all phoned-in (Lohan is so enervated, she barely reacts the first time she realizes her car is possessed). Still, the pace is fast, the music selections bright, and the special effects are good. ** from ****
not as silly as I thought it would be
posted on 11 Mar 2009I was actually impressed with this Disney movie because I was expecting something that would be so silly and childish. But, this movie was cute and funny. Maggie, a would be race car driver, gets to pick out a car at the junk yard as a graduation gift. She picks Herbie, or he picks her. Herbie is funny. He sprays oil at people, takes over driving, and it's funny how they all act like the car isn't possessed. That is until the end when Trip Murphy loses it and starts calling the car possessed. Herbie tries to pair Maggie and her friend Kevin together as only a car could. And Herbie even gets a yellow bug for a girl.FINAL VERDICT: Better than most kid movies. It has laughs for both kids and adults. I recommend it for a fun family film.
Entertaining fare for everyone!
posted on 03 Mar 2009My family just got back from an advance screening at Mall of GA, sponsored by the Gwinnett Daily Post. (Saturday, 6/18/05-10:00am). In attendance: My wife & I (40 & 41 respectively), our ten-year-old daughter, and her ten-year-old friend. All four of us had a blast! The audience was completely into it. First time I've heard people clap *during* a film in a very long time.Let's get one thing out of the way: if you're looking for realism: run the other way. This is a fantasy! But, like most good fantasies, it only asks you to suspend disbelief on a few points: Herbie has a mind of his own and can do outrageous things, including outrun a stock car. The biggest pill to swallow: NASCAR would let a VW Bug into a race!It comes down to this: if you liked the coming attractions, you'll enjoy this movie. Obviously, this is not a film for the art-house set. Judge it for what it is: a summer popcorn flick the whole family can enjoy. I laughed myself sick at times, and even found some of the scenes where Herbie's in trouble to be quite moving.Lindsay Lohan does a good job: not quite to the level of her Freaky Friday performance, but then again, this script doesn't give her as much to work with. Michael Keaton underplays the father nicely, and Matt Dillon chews a bit of scenery as Trip Murphy, the reigning NEXTEL Cup Champion. Most pleasant surprise: Justin Long (Warren from TV's "ED") does a great job in the role of Kevin, the dutiful love interest for Lohan's character. If you're a NASCAR fan, the driver cameos are a bonus.Nitpicks: for the most part, you know this plot, and you know where the story's going at all times. Also, product placement tends to get out of hand, and the movie starts to feel like a NASCAR/ESPN/BassPro infomercial.Bottom line: the movie delivers what the trailer promises. With decidedly little G-rated fare on the horizon this summer, this thing's gonna make a mint. And deservedly so.Scott
A good family film
posted on 25 Feb 2009In a day and age of films that are just not really family friendly, this one shines in that aspect. It is a good, clean family film. No bad language, no sex, no violence. (Hmm, maybe that is why some people didn't like it.) Do you have to be a real "Herbie" fan to enjoy it? I don't think so. You just have to use some imagination and get into the "spirit" of the film. I think that Lindsay Lohan does a good job at her role in the film, but some of the acting may seem a little cheesy at times. (Could be just the persona of the film.) There were several scenes that could have been taken right out of "The Love Bug" and the like, which some of the older Herbie fans will come to enjoy. So, all in all, I am giving this movie a 9 mainly because of the "family film" factor. If your kids are like "oh yeah right" when they see some obvious unreal effects, like a car "winking" or driving by itself, then it may not be for them. But if your kids just want to have some fun - go see it.
Good enough for kids and for the die hards to groove on Herbie
posted on 17 Feb 2009I loved Herbie ever since I was a kid but besides the first 2 flicks, Disney has never seemed to lavish much writing and directing prowess on my beloved VW.Still, seeing Herbie on the big screen is enough to get me excited and so I went to a sneak preview of Herbie today with other Herbie lovers and kids.I loved the movie in spite of itself. It wasn't terrible, but it was nothing special. It fails at freshening up the concept as "Parent Trap" and "Freaky Friday's" remake has (both starring Lindsey Lohan).Also, when you are dealing is a fantasy concept like a car with a heart and personality, you want to have a more realistic reaction for characters around that car.And yet, this hyper animated version of Herbie (he can emote with his headlights and bumpers now, you know) seems to go pretty unnoticed by most (especially the characters closest to him). Sometimes a bit character would notice that Herbie would blink with headlights but it takes an awfully long time for the main characters to catch on.Of course, Lohan's character suspects something (calling it "The mystery of Herbie")but she must've not thought much of that mystery if she could be swayed by a fancy car to race for pinks.It's a result of trying to shoehorn the characters to fit the target plot points that are mapped out in the story instead of what they would probably do more naturally.The plot dictates that about 1/2 through the movie Lohan's character should forsake Herbie somehow (before ultimately Herbie and Lohan coming back together for the biggest race and test of their lives). Her doing it after all she's seen with Herbie is not believable.So the fantasy is not anchored by realism in the character's reactions.As it stands now, Herbie:Fully Loaded is a pleasant enough film. It has nothing that will get in the way of kids and Herbie fans loving it. But it likes the finesse' that would make it a movie of value to anyone beyond that.The characters never advance beyond being tools of the plot and the acting reflects that.
On the bright side, it's still better than "Driven."
posted on 22 Aug 2009If "The Love Bug" had been anything like "Herbie: Fully Loaded," it would certainly never have led to several sequels, a TV series and a TV movie remake. While its relative success means Lindsay Lohan can still look down on Hilary Duff at the box office (if not on the album charts), she'd probably rather be doing the kind of movies her "Mean Girls" co-star Rachel McAdams was in this past summer... although I seem to be one of the few not enamoured with "Wedding Crashers." But anyway, this is less insufferable than most movies with the dreaded credit "A Robert Simonds Production," but nothing to make you glad you went to see it.The movie plays a lot like a subpar Disney Channel Original Movie, with its storyline hitting all the points automatically and with not much life from its cast; the best that can be said about Lindsay is that she at least manages to not look embarrassed at what she has to work with, while Matt Dillon as the closest this movie comes to a villain could have had some fun (the way David Tomlinson, Keenan Wynn and even John Vernon did in the other movies) if he'd been allowed to go further. As for Michael Keaton, the word "wasted" (both in terms of performance and appearance) comes to mind.The movie is so lacking in charm that even Herbie himself, all special effects and no character, is a bit lacking... he gets to be a lot more expressive, but maybe too much so. (And given the montage showing how famous he was in the opening credits, why does nobody remember him in the body of the movie himself? Since the movie takes place in the world of car racing, you'd think someone would have noticed.) That it only seems like an actual Herbie movie when George Bruns's theme from the first movie kicks in the first time our heroine goes for a ride in him says it all.Some bits do show flashes of interest (best lines: "And this time when you get the girls' numbers, get pictures - I don't want a repeat of what happened in Phoenix. I do enough charity work" and "Please understand the bad After School Special cycle I'm trying to break here"), but instead of allegedly digitally deflating Lindsay Lohan's chest - and it does noticeably change size throughout the movie (she has since done it without the aid of CGI, alas), Walt Disney Pictures should have put the computer jockeys to work on the script.