Disney Pimped My Movie: Review of Herbie Fully Loaded

I found the movie “Herbie Fully Loaded” (2005 Disney Release), to by an excellent remake of the original movie, “Herbie the Love Bug”. It seems that they re-made the movie especially for current MTV audience. They kept the major overall Disney elements of a feisty little car with a real personality, able to do the impossible and supped it up in the best “Pimp My Ride” style. In addition, they left out the ‘musical’ aspect that would considerably limit the audience and made characters of the hero (ine) and villain more real to life.

I personally was a little nervous about having my 9-year-old watch a movie featuring the now grown up Lindsey Lohan, (considering all of the press about her) but I now have to admit that her performance had nothing to do with her reputation. It was probably one of the best movies for girls I have seen in ages.

Side note for parents who care: Kissing was kept to a minimum, (with love interest Justin Long) and the movie showed that a girl can do anything a boy can and sometimes better… even if there is a little magic involved.

In addition to fun and action of the movie, it had a strong underlying moral. Although Maggie (Lindsay Lohan) was essentially grown up, she still respected her dad (played by Michael Keaton) enough to care about his opinion and feelings. Yes she still lied and disobeyed him, but at some point in our lives we get to the point when we what is best for other people regardless of whether they like it or not. (I had to explain this to my child during the movie, and it was a great teachable moment.)

Minor parts of the plot described here: My favorite part of the movie was after Herbie (the car) was battered in the demolition Derby. Maggie’s brother (Breckin Meyer) arranged for her to drive in the NASCAR race and she insisted that she would only drive Herbie. In, marches the race crew with new parts and all their experiences and totally revamped Herbie overnight. I guess it was somewhat expected and maybe a bit corny too, but hey! It is a kid’s movie! Watching Maggie’s rival (Matt Dillon) get dragged off to the funny farm at the end of the movie was funny too.

At 1 hour and 42 minutes, I found the length of the movie to just right. It is currently available on DVD.