The Love Bug (1997) (TV)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Peyton Reed

Writers (WGA):

Gordon Buford (earlier story)
Bill Walsh (earlier screenplay) ...

Release Date:

30 November 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Herbie's Back In A Brand-New Movie!

Plot:

Herbie, the magical Volkswagen Beetle, is passed on to a new owner. Together, they must battle a dastardly racer and his devil-car "Horace"...

Plot Keywords:

Volkswagen Beetle | Volkswagen | Animate Car | Smart Car | Remake

Cast

Bruce Campbell	...	Hank Cooper
John Hannah	...	Simon Moore III
Alexandra Wentworth	...	Alex Davis
Kevin J. O'Connor	...	Roddy Martel
Dana Gould	...	Rupert
Harold Gould	...	Dr. Gustav Stumpfel
Micky Dolenz	...	Donny Shotz
Burton Gilliam	...	Mecanic Race Announcer
Clarence Williams III	...	Chuck
Dean Jones	...	Jim Douglas
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Richard Burch	...	Tow Truck Driver
Jeff Garlin	...	Highway Patrolman
Alecia Guzman	...	Bride Model
Rich Hall
Christin Hinojosa	...	Trendy Gal
Andy Houts	...	1st Mechanic
Doug McCallie	...	Cocky Mechanic
Earl McDaniel III
Peter Spears	...	Young Dr. Stumpfel
Andrew Woodworth	...	Trendy Guy

Runtime:

88 min | Argentina:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:G | UK:PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Television

Trivia:

Herbie The Love Bug was a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle deluxe ragtop sedan painted in Volkswagen L87 pearl white. Under normal circumstances, the interior would be a matching white. However, Herbie's interior was painted a special non-reflective grey color so the camera and studio lights would not reflect.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the end of the "dueling race", Alex takes off her helmet twice.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#35.1)" (2006)

It Could have Been GREAT

Between the last feature length Herbie Film 'Herbie Goes Bananas' and the re-launch of the series 'Herbie: Fully Loaded' with Linsey Lohan, there was the short lived TV series 'Herbie the Love Bug'. This does not exist anywhere on video. I cannot view it so I cannot review it. I mention it to let the reader know the many lives of the beloved Love Bug. More importantly for the sake of this review is the fact that existing between these two films is 'The Love Bug'. This film is sort of a remake. Many similar story lines that were used in the first are used again here in the remake, but the film despite the same title is actually sequel. It is another film in the franchise. Doug Jones even appears in the film as Jim Douglas.

The film is only available on VHS. Interestingly enough there are Disney movies advertised on the VHS for certain movies that have either been released or will be released on VHS and DVD. So why was this never released on DVD if it has ads for films on DVD? Is it worth it? Lets See!

The acting minus the villain (John Hannah from the Mummy films) and the actors from the previous movie really are not that great. Even Bruce Campbell , though a good actor in other films, is not here. The acting brings the movie down several notches. I mean it looks like a TV movie, which it is. The film even has Mickey from The Monkees.

Despite several acting flaws the movie asks the right question. How can Herbie do the things he does? A car can't do wheelies? This question drives the action of the characters. That is good. The question results in finding the original maker of the car. We learn how Herbie got life. That is also good. We learn that Herbie adjusts to the person who owns him. His role in people's lives is explained and understood. That is also good. The name 'The Love Bug' is given to an article the main female character writes about Herbie. Jim Douglas hears this comment as an idea he has never heard before but finds interesting and satisfactory. We see Herbie's evil brother Horrace. Evil Brother? The maker of the car was found so he can make a car for the villain. He ends up making an anti-Herbie. An evil Herbie. This Herbie is named Horace as I said before. This evil Herbie ends up killing the good Herbie. But with help from Herbie's maker and a special guest appearance from Jim Douglas, he comes back to life. After Herbie is brought back to life, Doug Jones cameo is over and he says 'I'm not needed anymore' and walks off in the distance. What an interesting way to write someone off.

In order to control the Horace, the Irish villain puts a Wheel Lock on the steering wheel. I thought that was an interesting little bit. He then challenges Good Herbie to race Evil Herbie. Winner takes all. It is then interesting to watch Horace race Herbie. But it is not just a race , but a battle between good and evil.

As they race , Horace has been installed with all types of tricks he uses to cheat in the race. What happens in the race you'll have to fine a local library to view a copy. Or you can buy it at Amazon. The plot line and the concepts of this movie would make this worth adding to your library but only after getting all the other Herbie's first. Maybe this is a step above 'Fully Loaded'. I haven't yet re-watched the older ones but am sure they are excellent. They were when I watched them last, but I might have more sense now.

If the new 'Love Bug', had better acting and took more TLC into the production, it would be an outstanding film and would be on DVD. But alas they allowed the poor acting and underdeveloped script to proceed without taking more time to develop their really interesting premise. But the premise is enough to keep the film interesting enough and keeps the film from completely sucking. But what it could have been. It's a better made for TV sequel then 'The Parent Trap II' proving that not all made for TV sequels are not all bad.

One last thing. The villain utters the line in the end, "I'll get you and your little bug too.