The Love Bug 1997
5.3 / 10
The Love Bug
The inimitable VW Beetle is losing all his races and destined for the scrap heap until mechanic Hank takes him over and gives him a new lease of life. Soon, Herbie is winning again, to the fury of his previous owner, who builds a menacing black bug to challenge Herbie to the ultimate race.
The inimitable VW Beetle is losing all his races and destined for the scrap heap until mechanic Hank takes him over and gives him a new lease of life. Soon, Herbie is winning again, to the fury of his previous owner, who builds a menacing black bug to challenge Herbie to the ultimate race.
Videos & Photos
All 1 Videos & 6 Photos
cast
Full Cast & Crew
... Hank Cooper
... Simon Moore III
... Alex Davis
... Roddy Martel
... Rupert
... Dr. Gustav Stumpfel
User reviews
See All 1 Reviews23 Jun 2021 by Wuchak
_**TV budget but better story, plus the Dark Herbie (actually Horace) and Alexandra Wentworth**_ Herbie is apprehended by a new owner (Bruce Campbell) who is surprised that the unintimidating Volkswagen can win races and do amazing things. A malevolent rival (John Hannah), who initially mocked Herbie, now wants it and therefore hatches a scheme to use Herbie’s creator (Harold Gould) to create a new version of the magical car, but the results aren’t chippy. Kevin J. O'Connor plays the mechanic, Alexandra Wentworth a racing judge and Dana Gould the villain’s associate. "The Love Bug" (1997) is the fourth sequel to the original 1969 film and the fifth entry overall. It’s limited by a TV budget, which can mostly be observed in the studio sets/locations and lack of extras, but the script is more compelling to prior endeavors, with the possible exception of the previous one, “Herbie Goes Bananas” (1980), which I enjoyed more than the first three (even though most fans look down on it). Several highlights mark this one above the others: We learn how Herbie was created with a mind of its own (the explanations provided in the first two films were vague theories rather than concrete truths); there’s an unexpected death/resurrection subplot; Dean Jones returns as Jim Douglas, now 65 years-old during filming; there’s an Evil Herbie, called Horace; and Alexandra Wentworth is arguably the best female to be featured in the series up to this point, with Elyssa Davalos from the previous flick in close second (i.e. Melissa). The film runs 1 hour, 28 minutes and was shot in Los Angeles. GRADE: B
Release Date:
Nov 29, 1997 (United States)
Run Time:
1hr 28`
MMPA Rating:
PG
Original Language:
English
Production Countries:
United States
Status:
Released
Plot Keywords:
Related Movies To
The Love Bug
_**TV budget but better story, plus the Dark Herbie (actually Horace) and Alexandra Wentworth**_ Herbie is apprehended by a new owner (Bruce Campbell) who is surprised that the unintimidating Volkswagen can win races and do amazing things. A malevolent rival (John Hannah), who initially mocked Herbie, now wants it and therefore hatches a scheme to use Herbie’s creator (Harold Gould) to create a new version of the magical car, but the results aren’t chippy. Kevin J. O'Connor plays the mechanic, Alexandra Wentworth a racing judge and Dana Gould the villain’s associate. "The Love Bug" (1997) is the fourth sequel to the original 1969 film and the fifth entry overall. It’s limited by a TV budget, which can mostly be observed in the studio sets/locations and lack of extras, but the script is more compelling to prior endeavors, with the possible exception of the previous one, “Herbie Goes Bananas” (1980), which I enjoyed more than the first three (even though most fans look down on it). Several highlights mark this one above the others: We learn how Herbie was created with a mind of its own (the explanations provided in the first two films were vague theories rather than concrete truths); there’s an unexpected death/resurrection subplot; Dean Jones returns as Jim Douglas, now 65 years-old during filming; there’s an Evil Herbie, called Horace; and Alexandra Wentworth is arguably the best female to be featured in the series up to this point, with Elyssa Davalos from the previous flick in close second (i.e. Melissa). The film runs 1 hour, 28 minutes and was shot in Los Angeles. GRADE: B
Cast & Crew of
The Love Bug
Directors & Credit Writers
Cast
... Hank Cooper
... Simon Moore III
... Alex Davis
... Roddy Martel
... Rupert
... Dr. Gustav Stumpfel
... Donny Shotz
... Chuck
... Jim Douglas
... Mecanic Race Announcer
AH
Andy Houts... 1st Mechanic
MW
Mike Wills... 2nd Mechanic
... Cocky Mechanic
... Trendy Gal
... Trendy Guy
... Young Dr. Stumpfel
... The General
... Highway Patrolman
... Bride Model
... Pepe
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