Adventures in Babysitting

Genre: Comedy

Director: Chris Columbus

Screenplay: David Simkins

Starring: Elizabeth Shoe, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp, Penelope Ann Miller, and Maia Brewton

After her boyfriend cancels their date, Chris has nothing better to do, but babysit. Expecting a relaxing if not annoying at times night, Chris finds herself thrown into one mess after another. Hilarity and danger ensue as she and the kids brave downtown Chicago at night. Chris’s only goal is getting everyone back to the house and safe before the parents get home.

This is officially my first review of an Eighties film. For those who know me, I have a slight problem when it comes to this decade. I am a bit obsessed. Eighties film tend to be more story driven, because visual technology was not as strong to help the films. This is why I respect them a bit more. Sure there were fabulous displays of acting in Eighties, but with most films of the decade it didn’t seem to be a requirement. The Eighties mostly wanted to entertain you with whatever your poison was, and that they did.

For a film that was a favorite when I was young, it is still a favorite now. It is a bit hokey or campy at times, but most films from this decade were, which where I think those words actually came from. This movie is just fun for everyone. The story is entertaining, but not the best ever written. You can’t help but laugh along with the antics. The Mighty Thor probably got one of his first major advertisements with this film. I remember personally wanting a helmet like the girl’s in this film when I was younger. The film is certainly not going to change your life by any means, but it should make you laugh at something, whether it’s the story or the decade itself.

This was probably Elizabeth Shue’s first lead role. Her talent as an actress is apparent in this film, but it was still growing. She had not yet achieved the level that would eventually lead to an Oscar nomination, but she was still believable here. The actors that play the kids that Elizabeth Shue’s character is babysitting have been in other things here and there throughout the Eighties and beyond, the more famous being Anthony Rapp. He is probably best known for his role in the musical, Rent. The only thing I usually thought of when he would be on screen was Ron Weasley. Terrible? Yes. But, I couldn’t help myself.

Every actor has to start somewhere, and most of our favorite leading actors of today started in these movies. This film has the added bonus of seeing some of those young actors. Not only do we get to see Elizabeth Shue when she was younger, we get to see Penelope Ann Miller, Bradley Whitford, and a very blond Vincent D’Onofrio.

I give this film 3 Buttery Kernels.

Coming Soon: Air America