HERBIE: FULLY LOADED

Year: 2005
USA: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
UK: Buena Vista International UK
Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Michael Keaton, Matt Dillon, Breckin Meyer, Justin Long, Cheryl Hines, Jimmi Simpson, Jill Ritchie, Thomas Lennon, Jeremy Roberts, E E Bell, Peter Pasco, Mario Larraza, Patrick Cranshaw, Scoot McNairy, Amy Hill, Jim Cody Williams, Allen Bestwick, Benny Parsons, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jarrett, Tony Stewart, Stuart Scott, Bob Dillner, Robert Ben Garant, Tim Sitarz, Bruno Gioiello, Andy Hillenburg, Edmund L Shaff, Caroline Limata, Mary Bonner Baker, Mark Deklin, Rocky Soto, Robert Short, Scott Martin Gershin
Director: Angela Robinson
Country: USA
USA & UK: 101 mins
USA Rated: G
UK Certificate: U contains car stunts and mild language
USA Release Date: 24 June 2005
UK Release Date: 5 August 2005


Synopsis

Start your engines...

"There's nothing ordinary about this Bug." —Trip Murphy

One of the most beloved and magical characters in movie history is back—and about to not only be rediscovered but revved-up, tricked-out and put on the fast track to changing a family's life in the high-speed comedy adventure, HERBIE: FULLY LOADED. The legendary "Love Bug" who became an icon in the '60s rides again in 2005; only this time he's partnering up with Lindsay Lohan and headed from the scrap-yard heap to the high banked curves of NASCAR as he helps a young female race-car driver discover her destiny.

In 1969, the Walt Disney classic HERBIE THE LOVE BUG first introduced the world to the whimsical wonders of #53, the little white VW Beetle with a mind and feelings all his own—not to mention an exuberant spirit that seemed to redefine the word "free-wheeling." Herbie went on to become the star of numerous movies and television films in the '70s, '80s and '90s, forging a three-decade cinematic legacy. But since then, Herbie has been missing in action, awaiting demolition in a downtrodden junkyard. Now, just when it looks like his number is up, Herbie is rescued and has a chance to win over a whole new generation of fans in a fresh and original adventure for the 21st century.

With an all-star cast appealing to audiences of all ages along for the fun-loving ride, this comedy takes the world's grooviest VW places no one ever imagined he might go—transforming from Junkyard Herbie to Street Racer Herbie to Demolition Herbie to attaining the ultimate dream of becoming NASCAR Herbie. Director Angela Robinson hits the throttle as she takes Herbie into all-new twists and curves that have him matchmaking, helping a family and even falling in love.

Herbie's (starring as himself) rescuer is none other than Maggie Peyton (Lohan), a third-generation member of a legendary NASCAR family. Racing is deep in Maggie's blood, but she has been forbidden from pursuing her dreams by her overprotective father and NASCAR champ Ray Peyton, Sr. (Michael Keaton) and, instead, is about to begin a career at ESPN. Ray does offer to buy Maggie a car for college graduation, but takes her to the junkyard to pick out her gift. Maggie has her eye on something sporty, yet a certain rusty, banged-up, '60s-era white Volkswagen Beetle keeps vying for her attention, revealing that whatever he lacks in the engine compartment, he makes up for with personality. Much to her surprise, Maggie leaves the lot with a smoke-spewing Herbie—who she soon discovers is no ordinary auto, but a charmed car who will literally help her shift the course of her life.

Soon, with a little help from his new friends, Herbie is stronger, faster and Herbie-er than ever, as he and Maggie become partners in a hilarious quest to make the world believe in them.

"So many of us have loved Herbie since we were little kids. There's no other character in movies like him, and I think we all felt it was time for his comeback," says director Angela Robinson, who even went to race-car driving school to prepare to shoot the film's contemporary NASCAR action. HERBIE: FULLY LOADED brings a charming new angle to Herbie's legacy as he meets up with Maggie Peyton, the character played by Lindsay Lohan, and they both get the chance to realize their dreams on the NASCAR track. I knew it would be a whole lot of fun to bring the classic Herbie into a fresh new world of action stunts and special effects—but we also wanted him to be as real as ever. Our goal in designing the movie was to use our nostalgia for the original Herbie, who is still so cool and retro, while also updating him in a poppy, kind of hipster way that would appeal to a new generation of kids. We wanted the film to have a 'California dreaming' feel to it and to be like a perfect summer day—sunny, happy, fast-moving and tinged with magic."