More ‘Blues’ Great Music And High Spirits Help ‘Blues Brothers 2000’ Beat Long Odds

“Blues Brothers 2000” is that rarity - a reunion that almost everyone can enjoy.

The movie is a success against adverse odds that include an aimless plot, lame characterization and predictable situations. In its favor are high spirits that grow more infectious with each musical number. Even if your mind wanders (which, with the film running 125 minutes, your mind is bound to do), it will snap back when the music starts. The high spirits win out.

The new flick doesn’t go to the extremes of car-crash explosions that almost turned 1980’s original “Blues Brothers” movie into the “Titanic” of its day. Director John Landis has grown more graceful through the years, and he manages to have it both ways. The movie is both silly and excessive, all the while laughing at its own silly excess.

It also gives Dan Aykroyd his funniest role in years, which, of course, may not be saying a great deal. He repeats his characterization of Elwood Blues, released from prison to find a new, and not altogether easy, world. He discovers that his old partner Jake (played by the late John Belushi in the original) has died and members of the Blues Brothers Band have dispersed.

Aykroyd’s solemnity in several scenes is hilarious, and his minimal physical gestures have maximum effects. Unfortunately, co-star John Goodman is wasted, apparently just along for the ride.

Elwood attempts to restart the band with bartender Mighty Mack McTeer (Goodman) and streetwise Buster (vigorously played by 12-year-old J. Evan Bonifant), an orphan for whom Elwood stumblingly attempts to be a role model.

The Buster-Elwood relationship stems from Elwood’s hapless visit to ferocious former teacher Sister Mary Stigmata (Kathleen Freeman), who still wields a mean ruler. (But has anyone ever noticed that Sister Mary has frosted nails?) Both Bonifant and Aykroyd keep the Buster-Elwood connection comic rather than sappy.

In attempting to re-establish itself, the Blues Brothers Band runs afoul of Illinois law enforcers, white supremacists and a voodoo princess. But you shouldn’t go to a movie called Blues Brothers 2000 expecting a linear plot.

This is one flick in which the “guest stars” really are stars. The roster includes Aretha Franklin (reprising “Respect” to great effect), James Brown, Eric Clapton, Blues Traveler, B.B. King, Late Show With David Letterman band leader Paul Shaffer in good comedic form, Taj Mahal and Wilson Pickett.

The film is dedicated to John Belushi, John Candy and Cab Calloway. No doubt they all would have enjoyed it.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: “Blues Brothers 2000” Locations: North Division, Spokane Valley Mall, Post Falls Cinema, Showboat Credits: Directed by John Landis; starring Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, J. Evan Bonifant Running time: 2:05 Rating: PG-13