Six Pack (1982) / Comedy

MPAA Rated: PG for language
Running Time: 108 min.

Cast: Kenny Rogers, Diane Lane, Erin Gray, Barry Corbin, Terry Kiser, Anthony Michael Hall, Bob Hannah, Robbie Fleming, Robby Still, Benji Wilhoite
Director: Daniel Petrie
Screenplay: Mike Marvin, Alex Matter
Review published February 24, 2006

Kenny Rogers (The Gambler, Rio Diablo) plays Brewster Baker, a recently retired stock car driver with plans for a comeback.  His plans are thwarted temporarily when he finds that his car has been stripped for parts, and after a lengthy chase, he discovers the culprits are a group of six sibling orphans, ranging in age from seven to sixteen years old.  He doesn't really want to deal with them, but they end up growing on him, and soon they use their knowledge of cars to become his pit crew.

Country singer Kenny Rogers had dabbled in acting for several years before landing his first and only big screen starring vehicle in Six Pack.  Fans of Kenny should certainly enjoy his ingratiating performance here, as he plays well with the rest of the kids with a natural charm and his trademark down-to-earth personality.  It's nothing remarkable, as it never strives to be anything but pleasant, and it certainly achieves the modest goals set forth.  Future stars Diane Lane (A Walk on the Moon, The Perfect Storm) and Anthony Michael Hall (Johnny Be Good, The Breakfast Club) in his debut acting role) play two of the Six Pack, so their fans may enjoy seeing their early work.

It's cute, amiable, and an easy watch, especially for Country fans, NASCAR aficionados, and viewers that like down South late-70s and early-80s films like Smokey and the Bandit and all of its brethren.  I know it isn't really a good film by any stretch, but it definitely ranks as a guilty pleasure favorite from my youth.

Qwipster's rating:

©2006 Vince Leo