Movie Reviews

with Evelyn Gough

Herbie: Fully Loaded (G)

Directed by Angela Robinson

The Bug is back! Now a whole new generation of kids can experience the legend that is Herbie, the magical 1963 Volkswagon bug that has a mind of its own and power to spare. I have fond memories of this classic Disney character and thankfully the 21st century version captures the spirit of the original love bug movies courtesy of a fun script, great actors and plenty of chaotic hi jinks from Herbie himself.

Lindsay Lohan stars as Maggie Peyton. She's just graduated from college and her dad, Nascar champ Ray Peyton Snr (Michael Keaton) has a surprise for her. She can select any car she wants from Crazy Dave's junkyard as a graduation present! What a guy. Little does she realise her life is about to change forever...

After a long and glorious racing career poor old Herbie has wound up on the scrap heap. Literally! But salvation is imminent. Out of all the junkyards in the world who should wander into his but Maggie and Herbie is determined to go home with her. Anything but end up in the crusher. Maggie doesn't really want a beaten up VW but she is unable to resit Herbie's charms. Now it's up to her old school buddy Kevin to work his own magic and restore Herbie to his former glory so they can take on the current Nascar champ and all-round nasty guy Trip Murphy (Matt Dillon).

Herbie: Fully Loaded is a terrific school holiday movie that the whole family can enjoy and VW fanatics in particular will be in their element watching Herbie being rebuilt over and over again. Lindsay Lohan proves yet again what a capable actress she is, although apparently her breasts have become "family unfriendly" according to Disney who have had to have them digitally reduced! (Not that you would know it, she still looks incredibly chesty!)

The pacey soundtrack rocks with revving classics like Steppenwolf's Born to be Wild and T Rex's Metal Guru. The title track I Want to Come First is sung by Lohan herself.

Lots of fun.

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