2005, Walt Disney Pictures
Live action
Rating: G
Approx. 100 mins.
THE STORY:
Maggie Peyton (Lindsay Lohan) is the young-adult daughter of a retired NASCAR car driver (Michael Keaton) , who shares her father's talent and passion. Unfortunately, her father is too afraid that she will harm herself to let her race.
When her father tries to appease her by buying her a car, she ends up as Herbie's new owner. Her old friend Kevin (Justin Long) fixes him up, and soon the car is up to its old tricks: falling in love with a new Beetle, driving every which way he wants, and challenging the NASCAR champion Trip Murphy (Matt Dillon) to a race.
Maggie beats her father's driving ban by racing in secret as 'Max', the mysterious racer who manages to best Trip. Her luck runs out, however, when she hurts Herbie's feelings, is fond out by her father, and loses her car to the tricky Trip. She eventually learns to be true to herself and honest with those around her, and all ends happily for those that deserve it.
When her father tries to appease her by buying her a car, she ends up as Herbie's new owner. Her old friend Kevin (Justin Long) fixes him up, and soon the car is up to its old tricks: falling in love with a new Beetle, driving every which way he wants, and challenging the NASCAR champion Trip Murphy (Matt Dillon) to a race.
Maggie beats her father's driving ban by racing in secret as 'Max', the mysterious racer who manages to best Trip. Her luck runs out, however, when she hurts Herbie's feelings, is fond out by her father, and loses her car to the tricky Trip. She eventually learns to be true to herself and honest with those around her, and all ends happily for those that deserve it.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
- Oh my God
- Stupid
VIOLENCE:
- some car crashes, but nothing gory or violent
TEACHING POINTS:
- Accept and appreciate those you love for who they try are
THE UPSHOT:
If I hadn't seen the original Herbie series not too long ago, I may have been tempted to wax nostalgic about the classics and how remakes are nothing compared to the originals yada yada. Having seen them all, however, I can only say that given how awful they actually were, a remake/ update was long overdue, and that this is a pretty good one at that. The story and themes remain true to the Herbie spirit, but the acting is better, the special effects much improved, the script is bearable and the hero(ine) is actually likable.
Herbie is funnier in this than in any of the originals, and younger kids will respond to the humour of his antics. The messaging is also not bad: be honest, be true to yourself, value those around you, accept those you love for who they are, etc.
A word to the wise: do not bother watching the blooper reel in the extra features unless you really really like hearing Lindsay Lohan squeal. Like nails on a blackboard.
Herbie is funnier in this than in any of the originals, and younger kids will respond to the humour of his antics. The messaging is also not bad: be honest, be true to yourself, value those around you, accept those you love for who they are, etc.
A word to the wise: do not bother watching the blooper reel in the extra features unless you really really like hearing Lindsay Lohan squeal. Like nails on a blackboard.
3.5/5
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