After being pillorised for making Turkey Shoot Brian Trenchard Smith bounced back into critical favour with this delightful children's film - although interesting enough both movies have a lot in common: fast paced, full of action, a lively sense of humour, good production value, strong performances. The main difference is that this movie has a good heart whereas Turkey had a black one.
It's also a hell of a lot more positive in its depictions of women than Turkey Shoot: Nicole Kidman admittedly is kidnapped by the baddies twice and has to be rescued but she is brave and smart, gets to ride the bike, is part of the gang and is lusted after (in a cute tween way) by her two men; the only vaguely competent police officer is a woman.
I know this is in hindsight, but Nickers has terrific charisma from the get-go - her appearance really lifts this movie, with her frizzy hair and distinctive voice. No wonder she was rarely out of work in Australia (her stunt bike double does look a bit too much like a man). Her two co stars aren't as good but aren't bad - James Lugton is funny (even if his voice always sounds dubbed) and Angelo d'Angelo quite engaging - the three of them have a solid camaraderie. David Argue is hilarious as one of the crooks whose pursuit of the kids provides the plot. I also felt for the fat rich kid who teased Nickers, calling her moll - he's supposed to be a sort of villain but I looked at him and kept wondering he is probably full of self loathing, scoffing that chocolate milk and hating himself.
The film does bog down in a middle with yet another chase sequence (nothing wrong with the sequence, it just feels like yet another chase sequence), but rallies for an inspiring finale. The locations are well used - Manly looks beautiful (and so clean!). People who've lived there will get a kick out of seeing the wharf, Tanya Park, the mall, etc. There are some funny lines as well as daggy funny ones, and a few risqué (of the Are You Being Served kind - there a few English actors in the cast.) To be blunt some of the BMX stunts look a little lame but it's a really fun and nice film.
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