 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Herbie: Fully Loaded
- Review Date: October 23, 2005
- G
- Genre: Comedy
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Kids may enjoy it; most parents will snooze.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie includes images potentially disturbing for small children during a demolition derby, when a monster truck targets Herbie the car, and slight sexual innuendo concerning Herbie's interest in an apparently female yellow Volkswagen (his antenna goes "erect" at the sight of her, an allusion that will likely go right over the head of the youngest kids). There are many brand-name logos present.
What's the story?
HERBIE: FULLY LOADED begins as Maggie Peyton (Lindsay Lohan) graduates from college and plans to leave for a new a job at ESPN. This future pleases her NASCAR star father, Ray (Michael Keaton), but she really wants to race. But Dad refuses to let her drive because years ago she totaled a street racing car. Maggie's graduation present changes all this: Herbie, a 1963 Beetle she and Dad find in a junkyard, has "personality" and what seems a singular will to race. With Maggie at the wheel but not exactly steering, Herbie wangles his way into a street race with egotistical NASCAR superstar Trip (Matt Dillon), which she wins. Trip sets up a rematch, for which Maggie and her mechanic Kevin (Justin Long) rebuild Herbie. Their prep means she has to lie to Ray. Trip's eventual efforts to undermine Herbie lead to the very depressed and abandoned Bug's engagement in a demolition derby where he's smashed up by a monster truck before Maggie shows up to inspire him.
Is it any good?
Kids may get a kick out of the lovable car revived, but adults will find the trendy NASCAR connection slow going, and the story clunky and mostly unfunny. While the movie is focused on Herbie and Maggie's "relationship" (they learn to have faith in each other, though thankfully, each has a romantic partner -- Maggie likes Kevin and Herbie a yellow bug), it also illustrates the business of NASCAR. That is, it shows how teams need sponsors and features actual logos prominently (Cheetos, Home Depot, Tropicana).
The crossover marketing goes so far as to include a kind of human product placement: Herbie: Fully Loaded features brief appearances by real-life drivers like Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Maggie's repeated lies to her father concerning her racing. How could she have achieved her goals without lying? How might her father have been less rigid about rejecting her desire to race? How is his resistance based on the idea that her brother can race, but a girl should not? Families might also talk about the cheating by the champion driver and his punishment (he's designated "crazy" and carted off in an ambulance, even though his belief that the car is "out to get him" is technically correct).
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
I was surprised
that I - as an adult - found this movie entertaining (not great, just entertaining), but my 5 y.o. loved it.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Kids's loved it
I took my daughter and her two friends to see this movies. They loved it, even the boy who came loved it, I was worried he may not like it because of Lindsey Lohan being in the movie but I was wrong he really liked it. Lots of race car driving to appeal to all. It got a little boring near the end, it dragged on a bit but over all it was a good movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Air Pollution
While returning from a trip, Delta chose to screen this flick on each of the hundreds of tiny screens dotting the cabin in our plane. My 4 year old, who had (fortunately) slept through most of "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," woke to find "Herbie" in full throttle. He was transfixed, thank you, Hollywood. But on what? A crass mix. If anyone thinks there was social redeption in the casting of a girl as lead -- wrongo. My boy told me afterward that boys ALWAYS win. When I asked what the movie showed, he said that it was just a story on a movie. This was his second movie. No thank you, movie houses.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
better than expected
My six-year-old daughter liked it a lot and I barely checked my PDA for email during the movie, so it met my entertainment thresshold. Talented cast, a few cute moments, and I wanted to be young enough to date the young lead who played Kevin.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I thought it was good!
I thought it was so cool! Herbie was so much a LOVEBUG. I loved it. See it!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Herbie - Finally a great movie for kids and parents!!!
My son (8 1/2) and I both finally had a movie to really enjoy! I didn't think the commercialism was a big deal, and as far as Maggie lying to her dad - my son had no problem getting what a disappointment that was to him. It was clear that lying has consequences. The movie was fast paced, no icky love connections for little kids to gross out over, and was humorous. Everything I'd expect from Disney and more.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A super disney movie like the good old days!
This was a good movie. My daughter, who is 6, and I loved this movie! It is just how a disney movie should be. It on the same awesome caliber as Freaky Friday (original)! The cast was great and Herbie was so loveable! This is a must see for fun family entertainment at the movies! Lindsay Lohan did a great job!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
It was a good movie, i have an 8 and 5 yr old. they absolutely loved it. Good movie to take the whole family to. My husband and I even enjoyed it. There were a few parts that were there for us adults.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | cars and trucks |
| Studio: | Buena Vista |
| Director: | Angela Robinson |
| Cast: | Lindsay Lohan, Matt Dillon, Michael Keaton |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 22, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | October 25, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
| MPAA explanation: | All ages |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
