Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 12, 2017

Herbie, the lovable little VW Beetle with a big heart and a mind of its own, is back again, this time racing through France! This third film is another in the series built on simple joys, basic charms, and the car's hearty personality that makes it not only the mainstay in the series as human companions come and go but one of the most recognizable faces/non-faces in movie history. The car is again adorable this go-round, following many of the same basic antics as characters are taken for joyrides, as Herbie spits up oil on those who mock him, and this time, he plays a part in foiling a couple of bumbling criminals. It's a movie in high spirits and built for good, clean fun, delivering a tidy, well-paced little bit of family-friendly entertainment that, thanks to another great looking Disney Movie Club Blu-ray, holds up even today and, arguably, better than ever.

Herbie does, indeed, go to Monte Carlo! The car and its driver, Jim Douglas (Dean Jones, reprising his role from The Love Bug), and Jim's friend and the car's mechanic, the affable Wheely Applegate (Don Knotts), have arrived in Paris. They're there to participate in the Trans France Race Exposition where they face stiff competition from several drivers, including German Bruno von Stickle (Eric Braeden) and fellow American Diane Darcy (Julie Sommars). Though Jim hasn't raced with Herbie in a dozen years, he and the car are the big draw at the pre-race festivities. But it's not all fun and games. While everyone's attention is on the cars and their drivers, a pair of bumbling thieves (Bernard Fox and Roy Kinnear) steal a large, precious diamond from a nearby vault. In a panic after barely escaping, they drop the diamond in Herbie's fuel tank, meaning the little car isn't just racing but also unwillingly smuggling stolen goods. He'll have to pull out all the stops if he's to win the race and save the day.

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo might be most emblematic of the series' allure and success. This is a very fun, very breezy little movie in which the car's personality shines, the laughs rarely relent, the romance blossoms with time, and the opposing drivers are suitably villainous, all the while the outside interference -- the jewel thieves -- adds a bit of spunk and spirit to the movie beyond the on-track racing excitement. All categories contribute to the film's agreeable presentation. Dean Jones' return is most welcome and Don Knotts, always good for a laugh or a few dozen, is the unquestioned comic highlight. Racing scenes are zippy and fun, the diverse vehicle roster is a pleasure to watch take their paces through the film, and the support elements and actors are right on the money. This is basic entertainment done right.

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo zooms onto Blu-ray with a gorgeous 1080p transfer. The image is organically filmic, retains a light grain structure, and only occasionally succumbs to the odd spot or speckle with only very brief instances of increase, such as at the 32-minute mark. Otherwise, the image is good-to-go. Detailing is excellent, crisp and well defined for the duration. Douglas' racing outfit shows frays and material density with ease in close-up. The cars present with much tangible detail. Environments -- whether the interior location where the diamond is stored, city streets, roadways, or treacherously rocky mountain roads -- are a showcase for prominent detail that appears sharp and tangibly so. Colors are prominently saturated but never loud or dabbling in excess. Bruno's bright red racing suit, for instance, delivers a positive color punch but never appears inorganic or overly saturated. The color palette enjoys a crisp, pleasant neutrality. Blacks are fine and flesh tones appear true. This is another winner from DMC.

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Much like the previous Herbie Blu-ray releases, and particularly Herbie Rides Again, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo features a less-than-impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Elements are a touch fuller in this go-round compared to the last, but most everything comes straight up the middle with precious little horizontal stretch or back channel push. Music offers basic instrumental definition and outreach beyond the center is minimal. Prominent sound effects like a blaring alarm in the diamond's vault don't excite or saturate the stage, never mind offer the sort of sharp, ear-piercing clarity and excitement one might expect. Milder effects, like crowd applause or light traffic, again offer only cursory presence and sonic accuracy. Dialogue is a bit shallow as well even at reference volume, but basic clarity, positioning, and prioritization are fine. The track is certainly serviceable, as in it gets the point across, but the Blu-ray in no way offers any sort of major upgrade in terms of clarity or spacing.

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Disney Movie Club Blu-ray release of Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo contains no supplemental content.

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo just might be the best of the series. It's a fun movie on and off the race track. Performances are great, the movie is breezy, the laughs come regularly, and Herbie's personality shines throughout. Disney's Blu-ray, exclusive to its online movie club, looks great: the 1080p transfer does right by the movie in every way. Audio is much less impressive, but it's serviceable. No extras are included, but the disc comes recommended on the strengths of the film and the 1080p presentation.