Herbie: Fully Loaded

Three stars. Solid and enjoyable.

When I saw this, and came away thinking, "yeah, that was okay", I started to seriously wonder if my critical faculties are being eroded by hanging out in the presence of a four-year old. Because, you know, it's a Herbie film.

But: it sorta works. It isn't challenging or adventurous by any means (okay, it's downright shoehorned in), but it has charm. So many remakes and series extensions feel like cynical pocket-money grabs that it's pleasant to see one that feels like it is just trying to be a bit of good fun. The performances felt honest, like the cast were genuinely into their characters and cared about making the film work as a whole. Lindsay Lohan is always nice to drool over watch, and Justin Long deserves to see more headline screen time. Even Matt Dillon's bad guy over-acting was restrained and amusing rather than over-the-top and silly. And did I have a lump in my throat at the end? Yes I did. Because I'm a big softie.

I don't think I would have gone to see it on my own, but with young kids, it's great.