Washed-up stock car race driver Brewster Baker (a solid and likable performance by country singer Kenny Rogers) makes a successful comeback with the assistance of six scrappy orphan kids who serve as his pit crew.
Director Daniel Petrie keeps the enjoyable, if predictable, story moving along at a quick pace and maintains an amiable goodhearted tone throughout. Moreover, the kids are a colorful and engaging bunch of rascals, with especially stand-out work from Diane Lane as selfless and responsible ringleader Breezy, Anthony Michael Hall as the crafty Doc, and Robby Still as the foulmouthed Swifty. The sound acting by the supporting cast keeps this movie humming: Erin Gray as perky barmaid Lilah, Barry Corbin as corrupt sheriff Big John, and Terry Kiser as slimy jerk rival Terk. Charles Fox's flavorsome score and the catchy country music soundtrack hit the harmonic spot. Mario Tosi's bright cinematography provides an attractive sparkling look. Sure, this film doesn't do anything particularly fresh or surprising with its familiar premise, but it's done with so much genuine heart and warm humor that it still manages to be quite amusing, entertaining, and even affecting just the same.
Director Daniel Petrie keeps the enjoyable, if predictable, story moving along at a quick pace and maintains an amiable goodhearted tone throughout. Moreover, the kids are a colorful and engaging bunch of rascals, with especially stand-out work from Diane Lane as selfless and responsible ringleader Breezy, Anthony Michael Hall as the crafty Doc, and Robby Still as the foulmouthed Swifty. The sound acting by the supporting cast keeps this movie humming: Erin Gray as perky barmaid Lilah, Barry Corbin as corrupt sheriff Big John, and Terry Kiser as slimy jerk rival Terk. Charles Fox's flavorsome score and the catchy country music soundtrack hit the harmonic spot. Mario Tosi's bright cinematography provides an attractive sparkling look. Sure, this film doesn't do anything particularly fresh or surprising with its familiar premise, but it's done with so much genuine heart and warm humor that it still manages to be quite amusing, entertaining, and even affecting just the same.