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Herbie: Fully Loaded (G, 2005)

common sense media says

Kids may enjoy it; most parents will snooze.

parents & educators say
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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.

Positive messages: Girl lies to her father, villain cheats, car squirts liquids on opponents.
Violence & scariness: Cars crash; a slightly scary demolition derby.
Sexy stuff: Boy car has a crush on a girl car; girl kisses boyfriend at end.
Language: A character complains about "busting his butt."
Consumerism: NASCAR is all about commercial endorsement logos.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Herbie: Fully Loaded

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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).

What's the story?

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Angela Robinson
Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Matt Dillon, Michael Keaton
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release: June 22, 2005
DVD release: October 25, 2005
MPAA Rating: G
MPAA explanation: All ages
This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

5

Most useful reviews by all members

CaliberIS
adult
 
I was surprised
that I - as an adult - found this movie entertaining (not great, just entertaining), but my 5 y.o. loved it.
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gothamstone
parent of 10 year old
 
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.
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robinpeggy
parent of 12 year old
 
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.
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CSM Screen ...
teen, 14 years old
 
I thought it was good!
I thought it was so cool! Herbie was so much a LOVEBUG. I loved it. See it!
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js10357
adult
 
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.
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beanbag
adult
 
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Miranda ...
kid, 11 years old
2
 
The best!
Herbie is the best car who ever lived!
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Mickeyfan3
adult
 
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.
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meganandcaitli ...
adult
 
It was okay :) I would wait for Video
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kid, 12 years old
6
 
what, it's not G, that is PG.
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teen, 14 years old
6
 
what, it's not G, that is PG.
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kid, 11 years old
6
 
what, it's not G, that is PG.
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shawnarene
parent of 5 and 9 year old
6
 
Good movie for car enthusiast kids
Better than some overly cheesy kids movies. This one was entertaining and fun.
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nicman04
adult
 
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.
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cyclendogs
adult
 
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pizza31
adult
5
 
The person who named their review "Air Pollution" doesn't make any sense at all. What the heck are you talking about? Anyways, this movie's kind of fun and it's okay for five year old. I know, they say oh my God over and over, even though it' rated G.
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gabeshatesprof ...
parent of and 4 , 5 , 7 , 11 year old
2
 
Use of God's name over and over makes it inappropriate for all kids
I was astounded and offended at the recurring use of God's name in vain. It happened at LEAST 10 times and was rated G. I was horrified and should have left the theater. In our home, that is worse than any 4 letter word and I was surprised that I could not feel assured that a G rated movie would not include religious exclamations.
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JjSmihal
adult
 
Herbie is back and should have sequels!
I took my 4 year old daughter to see this. I will admit, the outcome of the movie was extremely predictable, but it HAD to be (Herbie couldn't lose the big race!) I didn't like Maggie saying "Oh, my God" when she first had Herbie do his own thing (this phrase really irritates me!) but I could overlook it because the rest of the movie was great. I didn't like Maggie lying to her father, but this gave my daughter and I a lot to discuss. She asked if we could go see it again or buy it when it comes out on DVD. My answer is YES! I hope that there are more Herbie movies that are similar in style!
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txpenny
adult
 
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!
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laceysback
adult
 
I didnt like it
I didnt care for it it wasnt as I remebered growing up hehe
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