Customer Reviews

Herbie Rides Again [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Alonzo Hawk has made his fortune by destroying old buildings and putting new office buildings and shopping centers in their place. His latest project is to build the world's tallest skyscraper in San Francisco. Unfortunately for him, one widow refuses to sell the little firehouse she's lived in since the day she got married. Even more unfortunately, she's keeping Herbie for her nephew, and Herbie has decided to protect her at all costs. But what can a VW Bug do against a man who will stop at nothing to destroy the firehouse?

This was the first sequel to the huge hit, THE LOVE BUG. Released 6 years after the original, none of the human cast returned. Only the car is around to reprise his roll. Stirring clear of racecar driving completely for this go around, the plot focuses solely on the tug of war over the firehouse. The plot itself is silly, with Herbie doing such things as driving the cable of the Golden Gate Bridge and swimming. Still, if you're in the mood for improbably fun, these movies are your ticket. The cast, lead by Helen Hayes, does a fine job keeping the storyline believable fantasy. And, of course, there's the romantic sub-plot just to add a little more tension.

I was really impressed by the Special Edition treatment that THE LOVE BUG received last year and was hoping for more of the same. Unfortunately, this is a movie only edition. This movie is presented in widescreen and full surround, however. The picture looks sharp with some dust and grain debris showing it's age. It sounds nice as well, although the movie won't give your surround sound a chance to truly shine. Then again, considering when the movie came out, that's not too different from the original source.

Despite the lack of special features, it's nice to have this fun film on DVD. I've been a fan of Herbie for as long as I can remember, and these films will always hold a special place in my heart.

Yeah, you should get this one. A little old lady owns Herbie, and she is trying to keep it away from the somewhat ruthless villian, Alonzo Hawk. This movie has action, especially when Hawk's men try to chase Herbie. It has romance, like when Wilibe falls in love with Nicole. Best of all, there is laughter throughout the movie. The only reason I give it 4 stars is because twards the end the movie started getting weak.

I enjoyed this movie much better than the origional Love Bug. I found the actors/characters more likable. I enjoyed Helen Hays character and all her little oddities. The movie is a nice family movie focusing on slapstick humor.

Like many sequels, the writers of this one were unable to come up with a new plot idea, so they basically re-hashed the original. Ken Berry takes the Dean Jones role, Stephanie Powers takes the Michelle Lee role, the demise of the firehouse replaces the demise of Herbie, etc, etc. Also like many sequels, the result was poor at best. While it had its moments [the parade of Beetles], for the most part, "Herbie Rides Again" seemed to try to hard to be clever...and as a result, fails.

As for the transfer...I couldn't help but notice how "tight" all the scenes with the actors seemed to be...especially the ones inside Herbie. The reason? It appears this movie was filmed in 1.66:1 ratio...and Disney, in its usual infinite wisdom, has trimmed information from the picture to make it fit a 16x9 screen. Geez...even Disney's widescreen movies cut out part of the picture. These guy are just clueless, aren't they?

The sound seemed a little off to me as well, with the music sometimes overwhelming the dialogue.

All that being said, my recommendation is to buy "The Love Bug" [which has an overall excellent transfer, with the exception of one out-of-focus scene in Chinatown], and forget all the sequels.

This movie is one of my very few comedy favorites. So many of the ones out today use material, that just flat isn't funny. This is one of those films that puts a smile on your face without all the garbage they use in 'comedies'(if you want to call them that) today.

Herbie is the most lovable car around. Kids love to watch a car come to life and fall in love with Herbie immediately. This is a great family movie.

This sequel to The Love Bug, lacks a good plot, and an interesting cast. Set five years after the original, this film finds Herbie now sold to an annoying old lady living in a fire house. The fire house is the only building left in the way of Alonzo Hawk's new sky scraper being built. Robert Stevenson enters the plot as Hawk's nephew and goes against his uncle to help save the fire house. This film has nothing to do with the original and loses the formula. I would pass on this movie. However, Dean Jones and Don Knots returned in Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo to give the series back it's good name.........

ken berry , helen hayes stefane powers are all very good actors, all the herbie movies are great for the whole family.

My 4 & 7 year old grandsons and I loved the movie. It was entertaining enough to keep them watching the entire movie. Lots of action & laughs and the story line was such that the 4 year old understood the plot, but was also funny for grandma. Adored Helen Hayes in the role she played. Great family movie !!!

MY 4 YEAR SON LOVES THIS DVD. VERY RECOMENDED FOR THOSE KIDS WHO LIKE CARS.