by Moe Zilla

Created on: February 12, 2008   Last Updated: February 01, 2009

"Herbie: Fully Loaded" revisits Walt Disney's famous Volkswagen that has a mind of its own. It's been nearly 40 years since Herbie first appeared in "The Love Bug," and the producers tried to modernize their family comedy while still keeping it fun for all ages.

They set the right tone in the opening credits, flashing through the most exciting scenes from four earlier "Herbie" movies. But the montage also sets up Herbie as an underdog, with headlines showing Herbie's fall from success to the tune of the Beach Boys' wistful "(Will I Ever) Getcha Back." When the movie opens, he's a battered wreck lying in a junkyard, waiting for demolition.

Lindsay Lohan plays the likeable college student who's been promised a car as a graduation present. The movie only spends a few minutes on her family's story, but it gives the characters a crucial context. She's watched over by her father, a race car driver played by Michael Keaton. Her mother was killed years earlier in a car accident, the movie suggests delicately, and now her brother and she are being raised by their earnest, auto-minded dad. The car finds his way to the girl - and the fun begins.

The car reveals its magical independence when Lohan spots a preening NASCAR driver (played by Matt Dillon). The arrogant hotshot rudely insults both Lohan and her car, and soon they're competing in a street race. The underdog yet again, Herbie comes from behind - even though there's no room to pass - by zooming ahead on the rails of a fence. But a rivalry has been established.

I liked how the movie set up its conflicts, with Dillon creating an effective bad guy who'd you'd really like to see lose. Lohan also finds herself in genuine trouble with her dad, for sneaking her Volkswagen into a re-match against Dillon. And with Herbie's underdog status well established, there's a moment of genuine betrayal when the big showdown comes. Lohan shouts to her car that she wants to win, so she can claim the prize - a different car. Herbie screeches to a halt, apparently deeply offended. Lohan loses the race - and with it, the title to her Volkswagen. Herbie is sent off for demolition at a Monster Truck Rally.

The movie effectively sets itself up for a big finish. There'll be a brief moment of family drama, where Keaton alludes to the death of his wife and demands that his daughter stop racing cars. But her brother supports her ambition, along with a friendly mechanic (played by Justin Long from the "I'm a Mac" commercials.) Even the father comes around, offering his support during the big race in a message over her radio. Real NASCAR drivers appear in the film to compete against the car (including Dale Earnhardt, Jr.) There's the final race against Dillon's car, and the inevitable impossible come-from-behind move.

Dillon is funny as the overconfident driver, and along with the hokey race scenes, the movie does have a few surprising auto stunts. (How did a dejected Herbie escape certain death at the demolition derby? By whizzing up a jumping ramp and crushing his opponents from above!) To keep the movie interesting, the soundtrack includes twelve classic rock songs performed by modern artists like Caleigh Peters. And at the end of the movie, they even offered a modern remix of the original "Love Bug" theme!

This movie has some weaknesses, but it works hard to ensure that everyone in the audience has some fun. Ultimately it's very easy to get caught up in its story - about improbable surprises, and impossible victories.

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