The Love Bug (1997)

The box office success of Disney's 1969 classic The Love Bug inspired a slew of Herbie sequels, and, ultimately, this 1997 remake. Though remakes occasionally best the original (consider Disney's The Parent Trap), this one does not. It is difficult to match the talents of the original cast--namely Dean Jones, Buddy Hackett, and David Tomlinson. At least the car hasn't diminished during its 30-year absence. Herbie is still the smart, quirky Volkswagen Beetle with the same affinity for fast driving and rescuing arrogant-but-charming, washed-up racecar drivers to give them a new life and a new love. In this case, Herbie's progeny is Hank Cooper (played by hunky Bruce Campbell of the Evil Dead trilogy), who acquires Herbie by lottery from the junkyard. Herbie comes to life and begins his usual shenanigans, from popping wheelies to slamming his trunk on the fingers of evildoers, primarily one Simon Moore III (John Hannah). This wealthy, wicked numbskull sold Herbie before realizing his powers and now seeks revenge by creating Herbie's evil twin--a menacing black Beetle. The rest of the story repeats history, yet does so with passionless drudgery. Thankfully, there are two notable highlights: one, a brief cameo appearance by Jones (Herbie's owner, Jim Douglas, from the original film) who lends his larger-than-life persona for an all-too-brief moment; the other, Kevin J. O'Connor, who plays Herbie's eccentric and faithful mechanic, and does so with earnest zeal. The film's slapstick humor and happy ending make for solid family entertainment, but the original reigns supreme. --Lynn Gibson Amazon.com

herbie and jim

The best and enduring part of this movie is seeing Herbie himself after so many years - and - Dean Jones returning as Jim Douglas. It seems weird to say there is chemistry between a man and a car but Herbie and Jim have it!!! Thanks Disney, for the memories. July 26, 2007

A Guilty Pleasure

Let's face it, the original "Love Bug" is one of Disney's best live-action films (if not THE best). There is very little chance any remake could even come close to the charm of the original. This "Love Bug" starring Bruce Campbell doesn't deliver as other reviewers have said, but I couldn't help enjoying the heck out of it.

1. I love Herbie and always will, in whatever vehicle he appears in (forgive the pun:)).
2. I love Bruce Campbell. This is definitely not his best performance, but there was more than enough of the Bruce I know and love to carry this film for me.
3. Dean Jones--I actually started to cry when he showed up.
4. John Hannah. Not only is he the second most adorable Scotsman on the planet (LOTR's Billy Boyd is the first), he was so incredibly fun as the comic villain, I would have given this film 3 stars for him alone.

No, it isn't "Citizen Cane," but it is my guilty Herbie pleasure. April 22, 2006

Even Bruce Campbell cannot save this

And you thought Herbie movies died way back in the day! Boy were you wrong! In fact, Herbie is not dead, just out-of-style. There was no need to even attempt to make this film. The only reason I bought it (yes, I bought it) was for Bruce Campbell, but even his great cheesy one-liners could not save this film. In fact, the few one-liners he has aren't even in his cheesy style, making this movie quite a disappointment. October 18, 2005

DEAN JONES & HERBIE ARE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.?!

IN 1997 HERBIE GOT HIS OWN TV MOVIE,IT WAS THE REMAKE OF THE 1969 LOVE BUG ON THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY.AND DEAN JONES WAS THERE & HERBIE WAS THERE,THEY WERE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.IT WAS THE 1st TIME THAT YOU SAW A EIVL HERBIE & THE EIVL HERBIE WAS DETROIED AT THE END IN A BALL OF FIRE.?! September 17, 2005

Herbie's back...but the magic is gone!

Herbie is stuck starring in a poorly written tv movie where everyone is bored with the script, and it's okay for HERBIE TO DIE! Horace is a evil version of herbie.he's always making strange growling sounds and often wears a dumb smirk on his hood. FYI,HE KILLS HERBIE!!!!!! the writer,well I think he dosen't like herbie. Anyway, when Herbie dies they put him in a coffin, and stand by it for 25 minutes so us kids can cry all we want! Even I ,being in fourth grade, Cried so hard I got my pillow all wet!(in case your wondering,I LOVE HERBIE! and Killing him is a crime!!!!) The rest of the movie was some what enjoyable. The best part of this movie was the end because in this part herbie is safe from all the dangers that he faces in the rest of the film. If you want fun and some respect for the love bug watch the other Herbie movies. July 7, 2005

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