Blues Brothers 2000

REVIEW
Eighteen years after the fact, this surprisingly bad sequel to the hilarious 1980 comedy brings the Blues Brothers back to the screen -- minus John Belushi, of course. Released from prison (and just learning his brother Jake has died), Elwood (Aykroyd) is "appointed" mentor to a young ne'er-do-well and decides to get the band back together. An embarrassing Morton as a policeman is in hot pursuit the whole way, until he has a change of heart in an insipid scene inspired by the gospel number in the first film. In fact, 95% of 2000 is a fifth-rate rip-off of its predecessor with absolutely none of the joy, humor or timing which made that film terrific. What's more, the musical numbers are lousy. The only real spark comes from a genuinely fun all-star Blues Band at the very end of the film; it's too little, too late, however. Goodman is good as a bartender along for the ride, but he's no substitute for Belushi.