mark.waltz The Disney movies of the 1970's have a pedestrian feel to them, sort of like "Why did I spend $4.50 to come see a movie when I could sit at home for free and watch a sitcom?" Within several years, their movies would be on TV, so unless it was a musical like "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" and "Pete's Dragon" or an animated feature like "The Aristocats" and "The Sword and the Stone", it wasn't worth rushing to see. This sequel to "The Love Bug" is actually a very amusing entry amongst the farcical comedies which were released during that time, featuring the cutest little old lady around (Helen Hayes) who has acquired Herbie and refuses to leave the old San Francisco fire station where she lived for years with her late husband. Big bad boss Keenan Wynn hasn't learned his lesson, having tried this with flubber inventors 10 years before, and tries to get Helen out so he can put up his big bad skyscraper. Wynn's nephew Ken Berry is sent out to try to get Hayes to change her mind and crosses the line with her pretty niece, Stefanie Powers, an expert in handling men like Berry and not without a little physical efforts put in as well.Hayes and Herbie end up on an adventure, taking a magical ride up the walls of the skyscraper where Wynn currently keeps his evil business running, and after a little bit of an understanding, Powers and Berry find they like each other, taking some adventurous rides with Herbie as well. But this doesn't stop Wynn from further planning his evil intentions, and he takes drastic steps to get what he wants. But we all know Herbie. This spirited bug isn't bugged by evil human thoughts; He has a few ways of his own to protect the lovable Hayes. And Wynn, why he would want to kick Hayes out of her home, even if she can move into the lap of luxury with old movies and old fogies around her 24/7, is beyond reprehension. He's a character that you'll have fun booing at, right up to the hysterical climax.There are so many fun slapstick bits that will amuse the children, and enough examples of real goings on in the business world to appeal to the adults. Hayes really shines, even though she's continuing to play what she already played in "Airport!", and you will just want to give her a hug, especially when she strikes up a friendship with an old geezer (John McIntire) who ends up on a living streetcar with her. Yes, Herbie has the power to turn other moving vehicles into thinking, feeling creatures, and when the film begins to reach its climax, it becomes a truly feel good movie about the victory over evil.Powers, having already taken on Tallulah Bankhead in "Die, Die My Darling" is more than prepared for the first lady of the American theater, having a great rapporteur with Hayes. Berry is dippily charming, obviously against what his uncle has him doing but afraid of standing up to him, and what happens between him and Powers makes his transition fun to watch. Wynn is surrounded by the typical group of "yes men" which includes "Beverly Hillbillies" bank boss Raymond Bailey. Among the other familiar faces who pop up in small roles are the "Bowery Boys" Huntz Hall, cute old man Bert Mustin, lip popper Fritz Feld and the hugely accented Vito Scotti. This may have some typical Disney aspects to it that seem dated now, but of all the teen comedy films they put out in the 1970's, this is probably the best held up.

David Brailsford Another of my favorite movies from childhood, I classify this movie as being as good as the original for a number of reasons.Lines, this movie has a lot of funny lines and good actors. I can still today go back and look at the film and laugh at some of the scenes and lines in this film.Another good thing in this film is footage. Herbie is literally everywhere in this film.Yes it gets a bit corny at times but its not so corny as to be unwatchable. The film has aged and it really does show its era, but that doesn't detract from it's enjoyability factor. This is a good family movie even if it does have a few scenes that boarder on pg.

bob the moo Willoughby Whitfield comes to work for his uncle Alonzo Hawk in a development company. His first job is to force the owner of an old fire station to shift off land earmarked for development. However Willoughby makes friends with the owners, including their eccentric car Herbie, and finds out about his Uncle's dirty tricks to move the residents on and joins with them to stop his uncle.This is a late Herbie movie – but really his appeal never goes away (they just remade The Love Bug). However here much has changed since his original appearance. Here the story doesn't involve him that much until the last half – up till then it could easily be any movie, and his scenes feel forced into the plot. That's not to say it's not good – but the story isn't as interesting as his race-car incarnation. There are some funny bits, like the dream sequence of Mr Hawk, but even the silly stuff that has Herbie driving up suspension bridges will please kids!Also where `Herbie Goes Bananas' benefited from a good support cast – this has no one to speak of. Not only has Dean Jones left (a big, big loss to the film) but no-one is good enough to provide any human interest. Berry makes a dull figure who can't do comedy, and Stefanie Powers is only of interest because, well, because it's Stefanie Powers! The only interest comes from Wynn's bellowing bad guy and Hayes' sweet grandmother. Herbie is OK but he is in charge the whole time and has maybe lost a touch of the `lovable little guy' appeal that he had in The Love Bug.Overall kids will love it, and it isn't a bad Herbie movie – it's just not as good as the first couple. But really – you know what to expect and it delivers nothing more.

matt-81 "The Love Bug" runs this entry a very close second, but the energy of "Herbie Rides Again" makes it perfect for kids. There are many great scenes and sequences that appeal to the younger set, and the normally 'bo-ring' opening credits are spiced up with stock footage of buildings being demolished. That immediately made me pay attention when I was a little whipper-snapper!Disney should have stopped this series at this point. The next film, "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo," was pedestrian, and only saving grace was that it, A) features Don Knotts, and B) is 1,000 times better than "Herbie Goes Bananas," the only good thing about which is the whacky title.