User Reviews

For an unknown (to me) reason, when I saw this on British TV, it was called "A Night On The Town", a far inferior title than 'Adventures in Babysitting', although maybe they figured that parents would think this a children's movie...

Anyway, the movie itself is charming in that way that only 1980s US comedy films are. There is an air of innocence to the whole thing, before these more conscious and overtly cynical days that we know and hate now - maybe a reason why 1980s retro is all the rage now... that, and things are cyclical.

I thought the film WAS charming, although entirely far-fetched in its plot lines, although I think that was kind of the point. The characters, while not being very complicated, were warm and at least not entirely two-dimensional, and the little girl was quite cute and not extremely annoying as could have happened.

Overall, I'd recommend it to hounds who love to watch 80s films.

I grew up with this movie and always wanted to be like Chris. She was so beautiful and handled the toughest situations so well. She took the deadliest situations and got the kids out of them so safely. Well, now I babysit and I'm glad I never got in the same situation, but it still made for a great and fun movie.

Chris is a senior who has a big date planned with her boyfriend, but when he cancels, she is forced to babysit the Anderson's daughter, Sara. They also have a son, Brad is a couple years younger and has a huge crush on Chris and decides to cancel on his friend, Darrel to stay home with Chris. But when Chris's best friend, Brenda, calls her from the Anderson's, she finds out her friend is stranded at a bus station and can't get anyone else to help her. So Chris takes Brad and Sara and is forced to take Darrel since he won't leave them alone, they all go into the city of Chicago and end up getting a flat and get into one deadly situation after the next, even getting chased by the Mafia!

This is a fun flick that I still watch 'til this day and have so much fun with. I would always recommend this also for anyone, I truly hope it is discovered by new generations. I still enjoy singing along with the "Babysitting Blues", I think I finally feel Chris's pain, after all, I'm too old to babysit. :D

7/10

"Adventures in Babysitting" is always an easy watch. I enjoyed it when I saw it in the theater (Sunrise Multiplex, Valley Stream, NY) and I still enjoy it. Elisabeth Shue is very good. The rest of the cast does a nice job as well. It fits nicely into the '80s teen movie genre. "Adventures in Babysitting" may not be one of the classics of that genre but it deserves to be watched every once in a while. Honorable mention: the Thor scene.

A few Years Ago my Dad Bought it for me on tape and I used to watch it over and over I watched it so many times that I knew Every Word in the movie I really Like this movie And I know It's an Old movie But SEE IT!!!! its Good

The 1980s saw a proliferation of "teen movies". About 90% of them had nothing new to really say, starred teen "heart throbs" and were marketed ONLY to younger, dumber audiences. I was in my teens and twenties in this era, but even I thought these movies were awful==obviously I was the correct age but just "didn't get it". Uh, huh.

Many of these movies featured crude and dumb humor, ample boobies (which is odd, considering the audience technically was too young to be admitted to many of these dreadful films) and low production values. As I said before, the movies seemed to be marketed to dumb people. Don't believe me?! Well think back to such films as the PORKY'S movies, Freddy Kruger films, HALLOWEEN, the later ROCKY films, etc. These films truly were awful.

So, with all this dreck, it was nice to see a few teen-oriented films that didn't insult the audience or feature mind-rot. ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING (as well as films such as BETTER OFF DEAD) was a decent film that actually had something to say to teens--and it could be enjoyed by adults as well (what a concept). While the story does have its sexy jokes, teens who know more than adults and silly escapades, it manages some originality and some genuine laughs. It's cute how an innocent little trek into the city results in a long series of unbelievable and dangerous consequences--many of which are quite funny. Give it a try--it's not "rocket science" or Masterpiece Theatre, but it's good old fashioned silly fun.

PS--watch ALL the movie--including the very end. Many times on TV they cut off the very end, but on video or DVD it's there. So, DON'T turn it off when the credits roll.

This is a fun, humorous movie starring Elizabeth Shue as a high schooler who gets stuck babysitting hyper, manipulative kids. While babysitting, her friend Brenda gets stuck in the city and must picked up. This is the start of a crazy, wacky, and fun adventure (as the title of the movie states). The movie, while far from being great, is a lot of fun to watch, and has a lot of funny scenes and moments. There are a few corny moments, and the movie as a whole is unbelievable, but nevertheless its just as much fun. One thing that should be noted is, that while this looks like a family movie its not really. It has quite a bit of profanity and sexual material. My rate for Adventures in Babysitting. Rated PG-13- Language including sexual references, and some Violence

"Adventures in Babysitting" is an awkwardly amusing movie centering around the many mishaps and pitfalls that occur when a single session of the movie's namesake spirals out of control. Though simple in principle, this narrative is ultimately the film's greatest make-or-break point, as it can be challenging to rectify at times what couldn't be described as anything less than a series of exceedingly unfortunate and coincidental events. As a feel-good flick that doesn't take itself seriously in this slightest, it still has an inherent degree of charm, however; especially for those who have a taste for the 80's aesthetic. At the end of the day, if enough suspension of disbelief can be granted, it is a solid watch for a more mature audience.

Concerning the plot, much of what happens after the main character, Chris, accepts a babysitting job can be best summarized as one hurdle after another; each requiring a leap of logic to clear, albeit with differing degrees. After receiving a distress call from her friend Brenda, Chris is subsequently blackmailed by the subjects of her sitting, Brad and Sarah, into taking them with her as she sets off for the city with neighboring acquaintance Daryl also in tow. One flat tire later, and the narrative slowly begins to unwind as it sends the four skipping from one tense scenario into the next; from the revenge plans of their tow driver and a den of chop shop criminals to a blues joint and a confrontation between rival gangs on a train, the fast and loose storytelling is a masterwork in plausible mayhem. This, for better or worse, sets an awkward tone in general as character interactions are generally lighthearted on one hand while the imminant death from the crime boss and his goons looms ever-present on the other. Though the pacing and flow of the scenes helps to hold the viewer's attention away from considering the odds of each new pitfall that occurs, it is still difficult to validate the story on a surface level when it comes down to it. This, combined with several contrivances that bail the group out of various predicaments make for a peculiar experience that feels both frustrating on a logical level and oddly relatable in terms of real-world applicability. Aside from one instance of jarring, unnecessary language and a repetitive use of crass innuendo, the overarching tone is overall enjoyable.

As for the characters, Chris was easily the highlight of film, due largely in part to the degree of maturity presented through her role and the perseverance she continued to display at each turn of the proverbial rollercoaster. Brad's overall arch was decent, alongside his sister Sarah. Both of which acted their age and were refreshing to watch, especially compared to how youth is commonly depicted in recent years. Similarly, Brenda's sporadic appearances were worth waiting for, as her colorful-yet-grounded personality leaned into both the serious aspects of the film and it's underlying humor in turn. Daryl, on the other hand, was a big question mark from start to finish, especially in terms of relevance. That is to say that he never truly contributes toward moving the plot forward, and is instead the squeaky fourth wheel whose only purpose is to insert crude humor wherever he can. As this can easily undermine enjoyability of the movie depending on personal preference, it would have likely been best if his role had been minimized to a side character.

In conclusion, "Adventures in Babysitting" has the potential for being a decent-to-good watch depending on if enough tolerance can be mustered to oppose the chaotic narrative and moderate use of innuendo. At it's core, it is a simple story with reasonable stakes that asks for little investment in exchange for a high degree of suspension of disbelief. While it is not the greatest feel-good flick around the block, it is still serviceable for providing a reasonable level of entertainment.

This is a really funny movie because you never really know where it's going. Basically everything that happens in it happens by accident. It's not only funny but also exciting if you aren't that old. I think it's great.

It sort of reminds me about "Afterhours" (starring Griffin Dunne) but this is the family version of that movie. Anything can happen during a crazy night or so it seems. Elisabeth Shue is good in this movie and everyone in it seems to have had a good time making it. If you just want to see a cute movie which makes you feel good , or if you've had enough of over-dramatic epics , action that blows you out of your seat and bloody horror movies , check this out. It's sweet , funny , lovable and adventurous all at the same time. If you don't like it , there are more than enough of violence out there for you.

Elisabeth Shue stars in an early role as a babysitter who leaves with the kids for downtown Chicago to help a friend..then she gets a flat and misadventure after misadventure takes place..A good little comedy that the younger ones can watch and enjoy the troubles that happen on an eventful night for Shue and the kids..on a scale of one to ten..6

Why does this movie have such a low rating on this site? This is such a good movie! Ok, I'll admit, the story is pretty odd, but it's still very good, and it's a great adventure.

All the actors do a great job in the film. Elizabeth Shue looks as beautiful as ever and does a great job as Chris Parker. Keith Coogan does a great job as well. Other notable cast members are Vincent D'Onofrio, Penelope Ann Miller, Geroge Newbern, Bradley Whitford, and Lolita Davidovich. Also, I have to hand it to director Chris Columbus, he did a superb job with this film. Amazingly enough, this was his first directorial effort too. Good job Chris! It's always good to see where directors come from, if you didn't know, he went on to do "Home Alone", "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York", "Mrs. Doubtfire", "Bicentennial Man", and "Harry Potter: The Sorcerer's Stone", just to name a few.

There are so many good things about this film! This movie's got action, adventure, and comedy. The comedy in the film is absolutely fantastic! There are a few scenes that crack me up just thinking about them. ...And there are a great number of quotable lines that everyone that has seen this movie will remember.

Anyhow, I strongly suggest you see this film! I really hope that you enjoy the film if you haven't seen it already. Thanks for reading,

-Chris

As far as teen comedies go, this is one of the best, if not THE best. I saw it ages ago and immediately fell in love with the movie and its characters. Shue and the rest of the cast are simply great. I saw the movie on E-bay last week and even though I'm 34 now (not really the intended target audience age) I just couldn't resist and bought it. Some bits feel a bit outdated, but that does not diminish the fun I had watching it. My favourite scene is the blues singing scene, although I like the gang fight in underground as well, particularly Chris' line. You all know which one I'm referring to. All in all, I can only recommended this movie to everyone who hasn't seen it. I don't need to recommend it to people who have seen it, because they will know what an excellent movie this is.

"Adventures in Babysitting" is an underrated gem featuring a very strong young cast. The movie opens with Chris Parker (played by Elizabeth Shue in a very early starring role) first finding out that her boyfriend can't make their big date that night. So she agrees to babysit Sara and Brad Anderson, played by Maia Brewton and Keith Coogan (both of whom have dropped off the face of the earth, apparently, in the last 10 or 15 years). Sara's kind of a brat, and Brad has a crush on Chris. Brad's best friend Daryl (played by Anthony Rapp, who went on to appear in "Dazed and Confused" and "Road Trip"), who is an annoying wise-ass, also drops by. Things go okay until Chris gets a call from her best friend Brenda (Penelope Ann Miller), who says that she ran away from home, and is now stuck at a bus station in the city with no money and no way home, and of course she can't call her parents. This prompts Chris to take the kids (including Daryl) on a little trip, and of course, hilarious hijinks ensue.

They have a tire blow-out, and are helped by a mechanic with a hook for a hand. Their car is then stolen, and they go to try to get it back. They're caught by the mobsters running the car ring, and have to escape (which they achieve by walking along a very thin metal beam overhead). But the mobsters catch them trying to leave, forcing them on the run and leading to one of the funniest scenes in the movie: going through a blues club, the singer stops them, saying "Ain't nobody leaves here without singing the blues." So they do, Chris leading, singing a song about their predicament. It's both cute and hilarious, with the others joining in singing back-up ("And we should be in bed!").

The rest of the movie is about them being chased through the city by these mobsters, and of course, there's one funny bit after another, with some suspenseful bits thrown in for good measure. This is all hilarious, but the best scenes are the ones interspersed throughout with Brenda trying to get along at the bus station. Penelope Ann Miller truly steals the show; scared out of her skull, she has to contend with such problems as a bum yelling at her to get out of his "house" (a phone booth); getting her glasses stolen by a bag lady (the look on the bag lady's face when she puts them on and realizes she can see is priceless); a hot dog vendor who won't help her out ("Then I don't have a wiener!" he says when she says she doesn't have any cash); and a jumbo-sized sewer rat she tries to rescue, thinking it's a cute little kitty cat (because she can't see). This is probably the best part Penelope Ann Miller has ever had, and she demonstrates a surprising talent for screwball comedy.

Like I said, the rest of the young cast is great; Shue pretty much began her career here, and Coogan, Rapp, and Brewton (who was also very funny on the also underrated TV show "Parker Lewis Can't Lose", which I'm dying to see come out on DVD) put in funny, though clichéd, parts. "Adventures in Babysitting" is one of those movies that just sounded kind of dumb based on the title (like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), but if you haven't seen it, give it a try anyway; the brilliant gags and the strong acting made it work.

Adventures in Babysitting (1987).

Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) has a date planed with her boyfriend but he has to cancel because his sister is sick.So she accepts an offer to baby sit a young girl and her older brother.As she is looking after them her fiend calls her from the city and tells Chris that she desperately needs her to pick her up from a bus station.Chris then has to drive herself and the 2 kids and and one of the kids friends into the city to pick up her friend.And as they are driving on the freeway they get a flat tire and they have no spear tire.And from there on lots of funny crazy stuff happens to them.

This movie is a good 1980s comedy movie and if you like those kind of movies i highly recommend that you watch this movie.Elisabeth Shue is such a good actress she acts really well in this movie and you should watch her in her first movie The Karate Kid (1984) she is great in that movie.

Over all i liked this movie a lot and my rating for this movie is six out of ten.

"Adventures in Babysitting" is sort of ridiculous - maybe completely hokey - but harmless nonetheless. For the most part, this is one of those teen movies that they cranked out in the '80s. It has Chicago teenager Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) babysitting for some people, but a series of events lead her and the children on a wild goose chase all over the Windy City. I really liked the scene on the metro, and also the scene in the office building. Nothing special, but good for a few laughs.

Who ever would have guessed that the director behind this would later helm the "Harry Potter" movies?

When I first saw this movie in the late 1980's I thought to myself how whenever I had babysat I had had a pretty boring night stuck in front of a TV hoping the kids wouldn't wake up crying and spoil the peace. How I wish they had been more like this movie.

Elizabeth Shue plays Chris Parker who is babysitting one night but due to certain circumstances ends up taking the kids out on the town in order to pick up one of her friends. What follows is all sorts of adventures involving thugs, crooks, thieves, the lot. The film is totally funny to watch and has some really good scenes in. Two that come to mind involve a fight between two gangs on a train and one involving the god of Thunder Thor (well, not the Thor you would be expecting).

This is an exciting movie which was typical of 1980's movies. Boy, I wish they could make movies like that now. The 80's has got to be the best decade ever for films of all genres and this movie is just one of many great comedy films of that era. Oh and by the way, I think Elizabeth Shue is beautiful and I believe this was her best role.

When I was in the second and third grade, THE movies to see were "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Wayne's World," and "Adventures in Babysitting." And, back then, those titles were some of my personal favorites.

However, now that I find myself walking down the hallways of high school, they have lost some of their charm, A) because I've grown up, and B) because I know a lot more of and about movies.

Still, watching the totally implausible story of a pretty high school girl (played by the then-unknown Elisabeth Shue) and her babysitting charges venture around an exagerrated (yet fairly tame) variation of Chicago, Illinois still has its moments of fair charm and fun. Rated PG-13. 99 minutes. 6 out of 10.

I though this film was pretty good about 13 years ago when it first came out, but seeing it now it was a lot easier to pick the faults. The story is uneven, and some of the sub-plots are just plain stupid. One that springs to mind was Dawson the mechanic as Thor, this was such a weak link and just did not fit in with the rest of the film. We all knew that Sarah was a bit Thor fan, but the scene with Dawson was cheesy, contrived and just plain stupid. Most of the other sub-plots were all O.K, in fact some were fairly amusing. I liked the singing the blues scene, the escape scene and the last 15-20 minutes were not too bad at all. But some of the dialogue seemed a bit contrived and it seemed like the writers were just missing the mark with a lot of things as they were treated on such a superficial level. Still Shue was appealing in one of her first lead roles, and I did like Miller in the understated role as Shue's best friend. The film does seem to have dated a bit due to the fashions adorned, especially Shues and the kids.

A babysitter has to look after some kids, is called up by a friend in need, drives with the kids to pick her up, gets a flat tire, and thus stumbles into a nightly adventure in the big city.

If this would actually happen, especially in today's society, you could imagine a lot of awful things waiting to happen to them. However this is obvious a family movie, so all the adventure is mild mannered and, well, fun...

Just set your mind to zero, expect harmless entertainment to kill some time, and watch it. It's not that bad. It's a bit like a comic book (actually, Thor-fans will like this movie even more).

Elizabeth Shue is dependable, the kids are less obnoxious than you would expect, and there are some nice supporting roles.

"Adventures in Babysitting" is a movie that I'll never forget. One of the reasons why this film is so memorable is because of the Chicago locations. For the past 25 years or so there have been lots of good movies shot in and around Chicago (as well as the suburbs) such as "Risky Business", "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", and "The Fugitive" just to name a few. But "Adventures in Babysitting" is probably my favorite movie to be made in Chicago. I saw this movie when it first came out in the summer of 1987 (a year after "Ferris Bueller" which "Adventures" bares somewhat of a resemblence to) and while I was watching the film it felt to me like I was part of the adventure. Today, this is still a very entertaining picture, and a lot of fun. Elisabeth Shue is terrific in her first leading role as Chris Parker, a 17-year-old high school senior who prepares for a big date with her boyfriend at the beginning of the film. But he cancels the date, and since she's now free for the night, she's asked to babysit for the Anderson kids. She agrees. Once she gets over there, she gets a frantic phone call from her best friend Brenda (Penelope Ann Miller) who's run away from home and is now stranded at a bus station in downtown Chicago. Terrified after witnessing a shooting, Brenda asks Chris to pick her up because she blew all her money on the cab ride to the bus station. Hesitant, Chris has no choice but to take the two Anderson kids Sara (Maia Brewton) and Brad (Keith Coogan) with her to pick up poor Brenda. Also going along for the ride, Brad's horny best friend Daryl (Anthony Rapp). Once they get on the expressway, things start to go wrong. Very wrong. This is where "Adventures in Babysitting" turns into a fun movie. The foursome experience car troubles; run-ins with a friendly car thief, a mob group the thief works for (who spend most of the movie chasing the kids through the streets of Chicago), and two gangs on a train; a short trip to a hospital (when one of the kids is slightly injured by a member of one of those gangs); a brief stop at a frat party; a chase to the top of a high-rise building; and a show stopping classic scene in a blues bar. And much more happens as the hapless Brenda continues to wait and wait and wait for Chris to come get her. "Adventures in Babysitting" was directed by Chris Columbus in his directing debut after writing screenplays for a couple of Steven Spielberg produced movies ("Gremlins", "The Goonies", and "Young Sherlock Holmes"). Since this film, Columbus has gone on to direct some of the biggest box office hit comedies of all-time such as "Home Alone", "Home Alone 2", and "Mrs. Doubtfire". "Adventures in Babysitting" was nowhere near as big a hit as those films, but it did modestly well. I would have loved to see a sequel to this. It would have been interesting to see what kind of misadventures were next for Chris and company. Shue, Brewton, Coogan, and Rapp all seem to be having a blast on screen, and I would too if I were up their on the screen. Even though Miller doesn't seem to be having a good time, she's a scream as Brenda (she would later show off some real good acting in "Kindergarten Cop" and "Awakenings"). And Vincent D'Onofrio (of "Men in Black" and currently "The Cell") has one of his first film roles in a very small part as the owner of a auto repair shop (where the broken down car gets fixed). "Adventures in Babysitting" is a movie that's great fun from start to finish and never lets up. This comedy/adventure is awesome!

**** (out of four)

This is definitely a movie for younger kids, but older people will still see the humor. Elizabeth Shue carries the movie as a babysitter entangled by an unfortunate series of events, not to mention the responsibility she bears in containing the two children. Overall, its younger entertainment, but family friendly.

Adventures in Babysitting is one of those movies that all of the kids back in the day saw apart from me. No particular reason, I just never got around to it. With the new Blu-ray I figured now would be right time to catch up on what I missed.

It's not a John Hughes movie, but it does have a similar aesthetic and is set in a cold, snowy Chicago (a common Hughes theme), and it's the director debut of Chris Columbus who worked with Hughes on the first two Home Alone movies. Babysitting is quite similar in that is has a bunch of kids/teens getting into all kinds of hi-jinks while evading and outsmarting crooked grown-ups.

Elizabeth Shue plays Chris Parker (no relation to Jennifer Parker from BTTF) a girl who has been stood-up by her sleazeball boyfriend and ends up babysitting for a wealthy couple while they go hob-nobbing in the city. Though content to sit in the house all night she gets a frantic call from her friend Brenda (Penelope Ann Miller) who is trapped in an inner city bus station and needs rescued. Multiple detours and deviations make the rescue no easy task. I guess in this sense the movie feels a little bit like Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

It's all inoffensive and good-natured, though I was surprised to hear a couple of F-bombs in there, and some of the dialogue is a little raunchy. Babysitting is no classic, but has lasting appeal and is a fun ride. Michael Kamen also provides a score which sounds like a Die Hard prototype, lending a little more weight to the adventure than would be typical. Stay watching until after the credits for an extra scene.

As a young teen, this was one of my favorite movies. At one point, I could recite the whole thing. I never had a babysitter who was as exciting as Chris, and in my babysitting experiences, the kids were never as exciting as the Andersons. I love the engaging plot and humor still to this day. Yeah, it's a bit unrealistic, but hey, what's wrong with that? Check it out if you're looking for a simple, easy to watch, very harmless, but fun movie.

8/10

The opening scene of Adventures in Babysitting (curiously re-titled A Night on the Town for British audiences) has Elizabeth Shue's character Chris Parker dancing to an old record from the 1960s, as she gears up for a romantic evening out with a partner. It is a scene that perfectly sets the tone for the film: wacky titles, upbeat and likable song, fast edits and happy people dancing as they prepare to be with the one they love. It is a scene that not only sets up the tone of the film but it is also a scene that will come and go; a scene that the film will not revisit or so-much as even reference later on since just minutes later, Chris' bubble will be burst and she will be off down a different path.

Such is the cut and thrust nature of films that rely on cause and effect as their narrative base, it is very rare for a film to refer back to a scene from ten minutes ago because something so drastic would have happened to propel the story into its next situation. I hate to refer to films made since the one I'm talking about but 2005 film Cellular is a good example of a film that presents us with one situation the hero must overcome, before leading into another and then another – all the time not looking back; the closing half an hour of Mel Gibson's Apocalypto is another good example. But then again, I'm a big fan of those two films and whilst Adventures in Babysitting is good fun; it does not hold up as a film nor as a realistic piece of entertainment.

The most frustrating thing that glares the most out of the film, for me anyway, were the inconsistencies apparent within the character of Sara Anderson (Brewton) who is the youngest member of the family being babysat at eight years old; she is also the smartest and there's your problem. Unfortunately, most of the logic in this film is replaced for good excuses to try and get laughs out of the audience. Sara is smart enough to have the dialogue to make us think she is clever but is actually foolish enough to climb out of a window on the fortieth floor of a skyscraper; her imperative inclusion to the story is once again utilised as she is able to overcome the plot point that involves being able to turn a money grabbing mechanic into a good Samaritan; this time through innocence. The third example of Sara's inability to be an 8 year old human being, or indeed the writer's inability to create an 8 year old human being is when, shortly after they have been caught carjacking by a carjacker and are hurtling along to a gangster's warehouse, Sara pulls out a chocolate bar and finds it in her heart to offer some to all in the car – she is not terrified like her brother, his friend and Elizabeth are even if she should be the most terrified.

But then we have to suspend belief to go along with the film's running gag; that these incompetent human beings can get their way out of any jam, no matter how difficult. Elizabeth is a 17 year old babysitter who has jeopardised everyone's situation at the expense of a friend although you cannot blame her; Brad, 15 (Coogan) is a kid who is attracted to Elizabeth and his friend Daryl (Rapp) who is equally sexually active, at least in his own mind and enough to want Elizabeth to rape him. But while these kids can get out of jams such as escaping a building full of gangsters who will no doubt kill them in due course, the film does not elevate itself above that level of: 'here comes the situation, here is the situation, there goes the situation' which is disappointing as there is a certain likability for all of the characters involved. Daryl may think with a body part that is not his brain on more than one occasion but he carries a degree of innocence that just keeps him from being another one of these American teenagers obsessed with women; something that does not work AS a character, IN a film.

But whilst the characters remain inconsistent and the plot remains basic, the actual cause and effect situations are nothing that special either. The carjacker does not have time to deliver the kids somewhere safe before driving on; the kids actually stop half way through their escape from certain death by singing 'the blues' in a music club and they even find time to go to a student party during the course of their adventure. It's not that these events aren't interesting, they are just too unrealistic and heavy handed to warrant good viewing. If your idea of comedy and tension is to have the kids actually stop and sing to a crowd of blues fans, this is the film for you; otherwise I am surprised they did not merely barge through the barrier and continue to escape – maybe they could've even asked for help from the musicians as they outrun the murderous gangsters.

But whilst incompetence would have them go on this adventure in the first place as it is Brenda (Miller) who sparks the journey off, it is incompetence and inconsistency that actually gets them through the journey that matters. The bad guys nearer the end are not waiting for them in the garage despite having the address and would rather follow them to the third act setting than nab them there and then but glaring errors seem to be accepted by director Columbus, embraced even, as these people survive the city streets like cacti survive the blistering sun. It may not be smart nor that funny but the adventure is enjoyable in places, even if you need your brain suspended for the majority of the runtime.