Herbie Fully Loaded (2005)

Directed by: Angela Robinson | 101 minutes | comedy, adventure, family, romance, fantasy | Actors: Lindsay Lohan, Michael Keaton, Matt Dillon, Breckin Meyer, Justin Long, Cheryl Hines, Jimmi Simpson, Jill Ritchie, Thomas Lennon, EE Bell, Peter Pasco, Mario Larraza, Patrick Cranshaw, Scoot McNairy

In the summer of 2005, Disney will release a new version of Herbie in cinemas, ‘Herbie Fully Loaded’, for young and old alike. The older ones will undoubtedly remember the name and the Volkswagen from ’63 from previous films and with this film Disney has revived the wagon. Especially with the popular teenage star Lindsay Lohan (“Mean Girls”) in the lead role.

As the tough Maggie, Lindsay Lohan seems completely at home. It takes a while for the engine to get going, but once the movie starts well there’s no stopping it. Not only fun for the girls, but also for the boys: race after race follows, each more exciting and faster than the other. What’s unfortunate is that the creators chose to have Maggie dump her alter-ego Maxx quickly. Had they not done this, but kept it going a little longer, the film might have been even more enjoyable.

Matt Dillon as the villainous Trip Murphy might have liked a little smoother and scarier, especially for kids, but it’s not bad. Michael Keaton as a concerned but proud father is almost unconvincing. Only towards the end does he seem to realize how it should actually be done and that is a pity. Cheryl Hines as Sally adds absolutely nothing to the story. It would have been better to leave her out or give it a little more character. Whether there is a relationship, or upcoming relationship, between her and Peyton Sr. is remains unknown, although they exchange certain glances. It seems that the makers themselves have not yet figured it out.

Breckin Meyer’s role, Peyton Jr., is also not well developed, he has no depth. Too bad, because Meyer is an excellent actor and could have carried the part. A character that comes into its own is that of Kevin (Justin Long). He has, after Lohan, the largest role and the most depth. If he had been a little more confident he would have done better, but he’s not bad.

The star of the show has to be Herbie (or the creators of it). His appearance is generally divided into four major categories, junkyard, street racer, demolition and NASCAR Herbie. All four have been worked out in detail. Kudos to his facial features, it makes the car come to life.

All in all, ‘Herbie Fully Loaded’ is a fun summer movie that boys and girls, young and old, can enjoy. Disney has done that well.