headhunter46 According to other reviewers the acting was awful. One must consider the year of the movie and the age of the child actors. I thought the kids did quite well. Some of the antics taken by the kids who suddenly found themselves orphaned were quite believable. Some were a bit over done, but they were necessary in the flow of events.The four children did not wish to be separated in foster care which is understandable so they went on the run. Trust me, homes that are willing to take FOUR children are few and far between. The kids used their wits, a little thievery, and a whole lot of luck to go looking for "uncle jack".Looking back the movie did a fair job of showing kids who watch this how much trouble can come of taking off without adult help. The movie had a "happy ending" which some reviewers thought was corny but hey, it's a "family movie".There were consequences for their dangerous and ILLEGAL behavior which is good because young impressionable kids watching it need to know that lying and breaking the law will get you into trouble. And that you will be expected to PAY for your misdeeds. That is an attitude too often lacking in the minds of some of today's young people.Due to the moral teachings of this film and the happy ending I rated it a six.

sburton7 The Commenter before me stated this movie is the worst that was ever forced upon him/her as a child. I have to say though that I loved this movie when was little and I still love it today. The movie has the best running theme of all-family togetherness. Considering the time period the movie was released I thought the movie was acted out well. I only wish I could still find a copy of it somewhere!! Of all the 1980's films I watched as a kid this was on of my favorites. I know I probably watched it at least once a week with my brother and my mom. I would definitely recommend it to anyone I know-or don't know. So if you do find a copy of it I suggest watching it! It's wonderful and heartwarming.

Not Telling I really did, I used to beg to watch it. I dunno why, I just was in love with the story. Recently I just uncovered the tape and decided to rewatch it, well it wasn't as fun as it was when I was a kid that's for certain. The acting is very very wooden, and the scenarios beyond cliché. And some things are perfectly illogical, for instance the oldest boy Mitch had never driven a car before in his life and suddenly his driving like a pro? Wow, I wish I was that talented LOL. The plot had a lot of potential though, and I think it was part of the charm that made me want to watch it over and over again when I was younger, kids defying adults, kids being rebellious, meeting their Uncle Jack. Yeah it was the dreams that made me watch this obviously not the realism. It moved to fast my liking, I realize that this is just a cute little family film but there should have been a lot more plot development, not only with the kids but with Jack, Jack's girlfriend and with Peggy. I felt that the relationship with Peggy and Jack moved a lot to fast and then in the end kind of left us hanging. That being said there were a lot of good moments where I still laughed out loud. Travis was the funniest out of the kids, that kid had a knack for comedy."Do you even know what that is?""Mud?" "Yeah because mud is green." LOL. I kinda hope that this movie WILL be remade. I mean Hollywood remakes the good movie, why can't they re make the bad, eh? I see Julia Roberts as Peggy, Dakota Fanning as Kate, Elle Fanning as Lori, Zach Mills as Travis Skandar Keynes as Mitch and George Clooney as Uncle Jack. Hey, I know it's not possible but a girl can dream eh? All in all not the best movie you'll ever see in your life but certainly an enjoyable light hearted one.

vanhalen1984 If I were to rate this movie based solely on the acting/script/production, etc., I would give it one star. All these elements are awful. I can partially forgive this, in light of the film's $250 budget. The movie does contain many entertaining scenes, mostly those of the unintentionally funny variety. Some of these include: a 14-year-old kid stealing and driving a bus, teenage hooligans (one of whom is sporting a Joy Division t-shirt) getting scared away from harassing the film's protagonists by a woman brandishing an obviously fake firearm, and an encounter with a plastic bull's skull in the Arizona desert.I would have given it 5 stars just for the entertainment value were it not for the presence of that horribly annoying, morally pontificating old granny. I had to dock one star just because of her. Who the *bleep* makes a wedding cake with black frosting, anyhow? In all fairness, I feel I must reveal that these cringe-inducing "granny" scenes were added to the film after its rights were purchased by Feature Films for Families. So the original version probably does deserve 5 stars. This one doesn't.