Six Pack

I'm not a huge Kenny Rogers fan, in particular. I've seen a few of his movies, I like his work on the general end of things, and I have to say, I thought this movie was one of his best. For me, back in 1982, the kids are what made the movie. I caught it on TV again last night (2005) - had to watch it as I recorded it for my 13 year old - and it appealed to me as much now, as an adult, as it did for me when I was a kid. The language can be a bit crass at times, but I really considered this movie to be done in good taste, and my 13 year old has been asking to see it for months now. The main song is catchy, the characters are lovable, and Kenny Rogers... well, he's a good guy. It's a good story, heartwarming to the end. I highly recommend this movie for "family night" with pre-teens and younger teens.

Kenny Rogers plays race car driver Brewster Baker, who finds himself saddled with a 'six pack' of thieving orphans. The kids know a thing or two about cars and prove to be a big help with Brewster's career, becoming a first-rate pit crew for him. Brewster grows attached to the kids but eventually has to choose between them and winning a big race.

Kenny Rogers is good but the kids are the show, really. Two of them would go on to bigger things; Anthony Michael Hall and Diane Lane. The funniest of the bunch, though, is foul-mouthed Swifty, played by Robby Still. He gets most of the best lines. Pretty Erin Gray plays the love interest. Some nice country music and a generally pleasant tone throughout. A family movie, of sorts, but not a Disney movie for sure.

Brewster Baker (Kenny Rogers) is a washed-out race car driver. His car parts get stolen. He chases after the thieves who drive their van off a bridge. Brewster is shocked to find the thieves are actually six kids. He saves the youngest Little Harry from the river. Heather/Breezy (Diane Lane) is the oldest of the orphaned siblings. They steal for corrupt Sheriff Big John (Barry Corbin) to stay together. Brewster is quickly arrested but the kids break him out. His girlfriend bar waitress Lilah (Erin Gray) pushes him to be a reluctant father figure and they become his diminutive pit crew.

Kenny Rogers is not the greatest actor but he's good enough here. I liked this a lot when I was a kid. The six pack is compelling and I really root for them. There's a young Diane Lane and an even younger Anthony Michael Hall. The story is sweet. The kids are all familiar with foul language and Swifty is the loudest. It's a family film of that era. It's also a movie that is always going to have a happy ending. In addition, there is plenty of race track action.

A former stock car driver attempts to make a comeback with six orphans hanging on his coat tails. Kenny Rogers gets a taste of parenting on the road as he gets adopted by six brothers and sisters without any direction in their lives, except a crooked sheriff who wants to take advantage of their unusual skill.

As an actor, Kenny Rogers holds his own, and his interaction with the kids was good. Along with the growing relationship between him and the children is a young lady, played by Erin Gray, who has designs of her own on Rogers, but can't seem to get a commitment out of him.

Another of the main characters is the only daughter, played by Diane Lane, who has become an accomplished actor on her own. This film came out just after I finished high school and she was, virtually, an unknown (but we all know how that's changed).

As my one line summary states, this film is entertaining for the kids, and parents will even be able to tolerate watching it with their children (especially those who are stock car enthusiasts). 6 out of 10.

While I really enjoyed the story and the acting I like this movie more for personal reasons. I was living in the town of Woodstock Georgia whenever this movie was being filmed. Kenny Rogers was always my favorite actor and my father took me to go see the filming at a place called Dixie Speedway. Sitting in the stands my father gets asked to be an extra at first he says no and then he changes his mind. You can see him in two scenes wearing an STP hat and a blue jacket. Though he never got to say a single word in the movie, it will always hold a special place to me. The actors in itwill shock you.