moonspinner55 The wealthy wife of a Beverly Hills business owner, accused by her soon-to-be-ex spouse of never finishing anything she's ever started, applies to be the city-chapter's troop leader of the Wilderness Girls, a dwindling group of which her pre-teen daughter is a member. The pampered rich kids (daughters of various celebrities, an unemployed actor, and at least one dictator) are either in therapy or full of attitude...but with a dismissal order handed down by their outraged commander-in-chief, the troop must work together (in their own colorful way) to bring a good name to Beverly Hills. Unfunny family comedy, written by Pamela Norris and Margaret Grieco Oberman from a story by Ava Ostern Fries, has a fetish for designer labels and its own Theadora Van Runkle costumes. While the first-half of the picture (littered with unnecessary cameos, including Pee-wee Herman on the television) is an almost total washout, the movie does improve in its third act when the troops compete at an outdoor jamboree for trophies (sadly, there's no irony apparent here). Shelley Long dithers and cute-walks her way through the lead; Long was slowly losing her comedic niche about this time, having left her TV hit "Cheers" for the movies. Unable to find material that stretched her proved sitcom persona, Long plays right into that familiar harried-but-hopeful routine without hesitation--the sure sign of an actress desperate for approval (she gets it here on-screen whenever her suddenly-loyal teammates laugh at her 'wise' retorts). As Long's nemesis, Betty Thomas goes all-out with a one-note role--and, indeed, the drill sergeant bit is a wheeze--however, Thomas' brighter moments at least derive from characterization, not from shtick. Unsuccessful in theaters, the film picked up a fan-base from cable and home video. *1/2 from ****

araceliearambula Some people are really arrogant sometimes when they review things, and I hate when people use the word "cheesy" because it's ridiculous to assume that what's "cool" at this moment in time was always cool, fads and fashions change, people call the 1990s wave hairstyle cheesy now, but you never called it cheesy when you were in 8th grade rocking that style. That makes you and many others who use the word "cheesy" just a bunch of hypocrites.Same goes for this movie.I loved this movie as a child, the acting is great, people always underestimate it cause they're not actors, but I am, and it's harder to portray comedic roles than it is for dramatic roles, and actors who play comedic roles are among the most underestimated actors in the entire world. Shelley Long was amazing in this, it had a heart warming message, I watched it today and still love it as much as I did when I was a child. They don't make movies like this anymore, films nowadays look exactly alike and use the same formulas.The chemistry between Craig T. Nelson and Shelly Long was great, and the writing was so funny, I laughed so hard and I got a lot of the dirty jokes now as a 26 year old that I never did as a child. Just a heartwarming funny movie to relax with. Screw the arrogant critics! Not every film has to be a thought provoking life changing drama, if every movie was like that, I think we'd just all commit suicide! Some people are just unhappy in general, and some people need to lighten up! Comedies in general are underrated, especially those from the 80s and 90s, when those were the ones that provided the groundwork for today's comedies. This movie was great, a classic!

trinidadgal89 This movie was excellent from start to finish. I enjoy watching old movies on TV and this was no exception. It caught my attention as soon as I read the movie description. Shelly long and her daughter lives in posh Beverly hills and she is the ultimate fashionista. She wanted to prove to her daughter that she knew more about life than jewels and clothes. She became mother of the wilderness girls troop which her daughter was a part of and led them to the finish line proving to her daughter all along the way that she was no quitter. Having had some fierce competition she was still able to beat them sending the other leader into a frenzy. This movie is perfect for little girl troopers who enjoy movies like Polyanna and Annie etc. I absolutely loved it and thought it was brilliant.

aquajock06 this movie is for anyone who can laugh at their own ridiculousness and still look utterly fabulous doing it. Shelley long is uproarious and reminds us all of what we loved about the 80's...EXCESS!! big hair, big fashion, big money and big fun! i know i wish i had Mrs. Phylis Neffler for my mom. she has the ability to make you laugh till your gut hurts and still let you know that she cares and would do anything for you..even camp with dirt and bugs and rain. many people who have never had money cant appreciate a lot of the comedy because they have never experienced what its like to have nothing to do all day but shop. and some may be offended because they believe that Beverly hills kids really do act as such, but living not too far from Beverly Hills makes it all the more hilarious. this movie is a classic and anyone who says otherwise doesn't have much of a sense of humor..probably a bad childhood or something...whatever...GO TROOP BEVERLY HILLS!