Herbie Goes Bananas Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A magical Volkswagen goes on vacation, adopts a child thief, fights crime, and somehow ends up in a bullfight, all while making questionable transportation decisions.

🍿 Herbie Goes Bananas: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Inheriting Herbie and Meeting Paco

Pete Stancheck inherits Herbie from his Uncle Jim Douglas and travels to Puerto Vallarta with his friend D.J. to retrieve him. They encounter Paco, a streetwise orphan and pickpocket, who inadvertently steals a film containing the location of Inca treasures from a trio of villains.

Cruise Ship Chaos

Paco stows away on the Sun Princess cruise ship bound for Rio de Janeiro, along with Pete and D.J. They meet Melissa and her Aunt Louise. Pete pretends to court Melissa to gain funding from Louise for Herbie’s race. Captain Blythe discovers Paco and Herbie’s antics, leading to Herbie being sentenced to be dropped into the sea.

Land Adventures and Thwarting Villains

After resurfacing, Herbie and Paco start a taxi service. The villains track them down, seeking the stolen film. This leads to a series of chases, including a comical bullfight scene. The villains eventually capture Paco, taking him to the location of the gold disc.

Rescuing Paco and the Gold Disc

Herbie and the gang rescue Paco and chase the villains. In a final showdown, Herbie sabotages the villains’ plane. The villains are apprehended and the gold disc is recovered. The film ends with the group aboard the Sun Princess, planning for Paco to drive Herbie in the Brazil Grand Premio.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Herbie (N/A): A Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own, who gets Pete and D.J. into various predicaments while trying to help his new friend Paco.
• Paco (Joaquin Garay III): A streetwise orphan and pickpocket who stows away in Herbie and becomes his close friend, calling him ‘Ocho’.
• Pete (Stephen W. Burns): The nephew of Jim Douglas who inherits Herbie and initially plans to enter him in a race in Brazil.
• D.J. (Charles Martin Smith): Pete’s friend and mechanic who accompanies him to retrieve Herbie and helps with their racing plans.
• Louise Trent (Cloris Leachman): A wealthy and eccentric aunt who hopes to find a husband for her niece, Melissa, and funds Pete and D.J.’s adventures.
• Melissa (Elyssa Davalos): Louise’s niece and an anthropology student who becomes a romantic interest for Pete.
• Captain Blythe (Harvey Korman): The surly and eccentric captain of the cruise ship who initially causes trouble for Herbie and the gang.
• Prindle (John Vernon): The leader of the trio of villains seeking to capture an antique gold disc, and to find Paco.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Paco: “Ocho!” – Paco’s nickname for Herbie, which means ‘eight’ in Spanish, based on adding the numbers 5 and 3 from Herbie’s racing number.
• Captain Blythe: “It’s a car, lady, not Lassie!” – Captain Blythe’s sarcastic response to Aunt Louise when she suggests Herbie can go for help, highlighting his disbelief in the car’s abilities.
• D.J.: “Why do you keep calling this car Ocho? Ocho means eight. Can’t you read the numbers?” – D.J. questions Paco about why he calls Herbie ‘Ocho,’ leading to Paco’s explanation about adding the numbers on the car.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $18,000,000
• Worldwide Gross: $18,000,000

💥 Herbie Goes Bananas Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I have to admit, ‘Herbie Goes Bananas’ is a guilty pleasure. It’s definitely not the best in the series, but there’s something about the sheer absurdity of it all that keeps me entertained. Seeing Herbie in a bullfight? Hilarious! And the whole plot with the kid and the Incan treasures is just so over-the-top. Sure, it’s cheesy, but it’s also a fun, lighthearted escape. Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I still enjoy watching it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for light-hearted adventure.”
  • “Fans of the original Herbie movies.”
  • “Viewers interested in classic Disney comedies.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild cartoonish violence.”
  • “Brief scenes of pickpocketing.”
  • “Some cultural stereotypes typical of the era.”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “The film strains to recapture the magic of its predecessors, but the humor feels forced, and the plot is overly convoluted. While the location shooting offers some visual appeal, the film lacks the heart and charm that made the original ‘Herbie’ movies so endearing. Harvey Korman and Cloris Leachman are wasted in their roles.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Although it offers some lighthearted moments and scenic views of South America, ‘Herbie Goes Bananas’ fails to deliver a coherent or engaging story. The child actor is annoying, and the film relies too heavily on slapstick and predictable gags. Die-hard fans of Herbie may find some enjoyment, but most viewers will likely be disappointed.
• Common Sense Media: “This Herbie sequel has some funny bits, but the story feels stretched and unfocused. There’s some mild action and cartoonish violence, but it’s mostly harmless fun for kids. However, parents might find the plot and characters a bit grating. A mixed bag for family viewing.

Audience Reactions

The bullfight scene is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in a Herbie movie!: Many viewers found the slapstick comedy and Herbie’s antics in unusual situations to be the most enjoyable aspects.

I love the relationship between Herbie and Paco. It’s so heartwarming!: The bond between Herbie and the streetwise orphan, Paco, was a highlight for many, adding a sweet touch to the film.

Overall Consensus: While not a critical darling, ‘Herbie Goes Bananas’ has its moments of fun and charm, particularly for younger viewers and fans of the series who appreciate the slapstick and silly adventures.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “In the sequence where Herbie ‘walks the plank,’ a real Volkswagen Beetle was cast out into the sea. It was never recovered.”
• “Over 20 Volkswagen Beetles were reportedly used and destroyed during the filming of ‘Herbie Goes Bananas’ due to the numerous stunts.”
• “This is the only classic Herbie film not to be shot at the Golden Oak Ranch, a frequent filming location for Disney productions.”

🖥️ How to Watch Herbie Goes Bananas?

Currently, ‘Herbie Goes Bananas’ is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for current pricing and availability. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray may also be available through online retailers like Amazon and major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Herbie Goes Bananas, you might like these similar films:

• The Love Bug (1968): The original ‘Herbie’ movie, setting the stage for the entire franchise with its charming story of a Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own.
• Herbie Rides Again (1974): Another sequel featuring Herbie, filled with slapstick comedy and heartwarming moments as the lovable car helps save a woman’s home.
• The Boatniks (1970): A Disney comedy involving bumbling criminals and a group of well-meaning but accident-prone harbor patrolmen, sharing a similar tone of lighthearted adventure.
• Condorman (1981): Released around the same time, Condorman features over-the-top stunts and a comedic adventure plot, appealing to audiences looking for similar family-friendly entertainment.

🛒 Herbie Goes Bananas Related Products

• Herbie: The Love Bug – Limited Edition Blu-ray: Own the original ‘Love Bug’ movie that started it all. This limited-edition Blu-ray features restored picture and sound, plus exclusive behind-the-scenes content. A must-have for any Herbie fan.
• Herbie the Love Bug T-Shirt: Show your love for Herbie with this classic T-shirt featuring the iconic ’53’ logo. Made from comfortable, high-quality material, it’s perfect for casual wear and a great conversation starter.
• Disney Infinity Herbie Character Figure: Add Herbie to your Disney Infinity collection and embark on exciting new adventures in the Toy Box mode. Use Herbie’s unique abilities and personality to create your own stories and challenges.
• Volkswagen Beetle Model Car – Herbie Replica: A highly detailed die-cast model of Herbie, complete with the iconic ’53’ racing stripes and weathered look from ‘Herbie Goes Bananas’. A perfect display piece for any collector.

🎧 Soundtrack

Herbie Goes Bananas features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Look at Me” – performed by Frank De Vol
• “I Found a New Friend” – performed by Unknown

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Herbie Goes Bananas – (1980) – Herbie talking to Paco. Featuring Joaquin Garay III.

Ever wonder what it would be like if your car could talk? Check out this hilarious scene from ‘Herbie Goes Bananas’ where Herbie chats with Paco – it’s pure comedy gold!

Did you see this in FINDING DORY

Did you know there’s a hidden ‘Herbie Goes Bananas’ reference in ‘Finding Dory’? This quick video reveals the secret, and it’s a pretty cool nod to the classic Disney movie!

Hot Wheels VW Beetle “Herbie Goes Bananas” 1980

Love ‘Herbie Goes Bananas’ and collecting? Take a look at the ‘Herbie Goes Bananas’ Hot Wheels car – a must-have for any true fan. The car looks pretty cool, though!

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