The ButterCream Gang (1992 Video) User Reviews

Its the Widow Jenkins, she's fallen down again...

[Sanpaco13 · 6/10 · 14 October 2011]

Unlike many people, I didn't watch this movie a lot as a kid. I actually think I saw it once and I hated it because Pete is so mean and it doesn't seem like the ending gives much closure as far as him changing because you never see it, you only hear about it in the letter. That being said, this was a pretty entertaining movie and the actors in it are quite good considering the level of production. The actor that plays Pete was really good in this. The message of the movie is a good one for kids and adults in that it teaches that love and non-violence is always the best way to treat others. Not only that but Scott learns that doing so with an agenda to try and change someone else will never work, and he learns that by loving his friend unconditionally, he changes himself before he really makes an impact on Pete. The other thing about this movie that made it interesting to me is that it was filmed literally in the neighborhood where I have lived since I was 11 years old and I recognize much of the scenery and locations from having driven past them my entire life.

All kids should be like this group

[helpless_dancer · 7/10 · 14 July 2001]

Ok, there was enough sap in this film to gum up every VCR & CD unit in the world...but, I still liked it. I also liked the sequel which contained quantities of corn sufficient for the feeding of all the hungry in China AND India. This movie had a good message which, although presented a tad simplistically [ok, big time simplistic], was still a good one even though I can't see most folks living by it. Call me a pessimist, but in the real world I see guys like Pete going to the pen for life or being blown away in the course of a drug deal gone sour. Old people, or lamed out losers like myself, would probably really go for this picture.

Ahhh, the good ol' days...

[pacedanypimp · 7/10 · 23 December 2003]

It's been a while since I've seen this movie, but it was always one of my favorites. It was primarily filmed in Draper City, Utah, which is where I spent a lot of my childhood days playing. I used to go out in the same fields, parks, and streets as the movie portrayed. I even went down to the tree house that is shown in the movie. If you've seen this movie, you are probably familiar with Draper City, since Utah is where this film was primarily marketed, as one of the feature family films treasures. If you liked this one, another one I would recommend would be `On Our Own', released in 1988. This was also distributed by F.F.F., and is a pretty good movie too.

an exquisite piece of filmmaking

[Tuley · 26 August 2001]

It had been awhile since I'd seen "The Buttercream Gang". Years, really; years in which I hoped that I'd be able to view the film again. Last night my wish came true: "The Buttercream Gang" was on the Hallmark channel. It really takes two viewings (at least) to fully comprehend this complex and deeply moving film. Director Bruce Neibaur's vision is complete in the portrayal of Scott, the wholesome, blond-haired boy whose only wish is to do good with his two wholesome, blond-haired pals. Michael Whetherred's performance as Pete, the troubled young man who has gotten into trouble with gangs in Chicago, is heart-wrenchingly accurate. When Pete makes a gang of his own with two other pals (we know they are bad because they wear black muscle shirts and have dark hair), it's up to Scott to win Pete back to the pure-hearted, helpful Buttercream Gang. Subtle and evocative, "The Buttercream Gang" masks an important moral beneath layers of inventive dialog and innovative filming. The whole meaning and depth of this movie cannot be realized in one cursory viewing. I urge everyone to watch this film again and again.

Morality in a simple package ..

[deviousfate · 7/10 · 29 June 2005]

No familiar faces in this movie, but there's always a chance that these actors might surface in another film down the road. I remember this movie from when I was a kid. My grandmother gave it to me and I watched it with my friends. I thought it was a great movie back then, even tried to follow it by example. Growing up, most kids have their own small group of friends - so it is easy to relate to the characters in this movie. They persevered and fought to make life better, even if it was just for the small town they lived in. I recommend this for parents of younger children. While it is a bit outdated now, it's still got the same moral standings that I hope to pass onto my children - if and when I have some.

Not Very Interesting or Captivating

[akuck-89055 · 2/10 · 12 February 2018]

This movie has a very weak plot, with cheesy lines. I did not find this movie any level of interesting and was quite bored.

A good message that runs a little long

[cricketbat · 6/10 · 13 August 2020]

Even though this was a favorite of many kids when I was younger, I never saw it. I just watched it for the first time as an adult and it was a little tedious. This feels like a 30-minute short that was stretched out and watered down into a feature-length film. It does have a good message, though, and I did connect emotionally with the movie at the end. It was just a long ride to get there.

Funny Things

[chancemacdonald · 4/10 · 11 May 2008]

I also received this movie in the mail as a kid and did like it. I came to this site to prove a point to people because these kids in my home town recently decided to start their own "gang" call "The Butter Creamers" i almost died laughing when i heard this. They think its cool and I tried to explain to them how that name is already taken by a hallmark film from my childhood so here i am.

My favorite scene was when the old woman fell down and needed help. It reminded me on the "Help I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up!" Life Alert commercials.

Enjoy the film!

Best Movie Ever Made.

[NerdyJustin · 10/10 · 27 November 2010]

I first saw this movie in Sunday school. The entire class was so impressed. Seriously, it's such a horrible movie, we all fell in love with it and it became a super big joke. I later found this on DVD via Netflix and lost the copy I made. I shall own this again. legally or illegally. The story is a fine example of light Christian morals implied with the natural morals from right and wrong. The acting is just donkfunkulous and spiffy. These stupid kids go about the town calling themselves The Buttercream Gang and they are taken serious! Really? I wanna live in this town. It does appear that the town is influenced by the church though. Which is cool. It's not the over-bearing kind of God fearing fools. In this town, doing the right thing is certified gangsta. They keeps it real by looking out for their brethren. And I also have a feeling Pepsi sponsored parts of this movie.

another 90mins of wholesome torture

[geekstergn · 1/10 · 31 May 2003]

Wow, I think this movie had to have been made by the JesusFreak Coalition and the Moronic Majority. this movie does nothing but teach a bunch of stereotypes and false truths to our children.

All kids in the city are in gangs?

Nothing bad happens to good people?

Stuff like that. If you find this movie, cover the dub lock and tape something worthwhile over it.

-the gizzle

I love this movie

[CKMahomo · 10/10 · 15 August 2001]

I love this movie. When I was a little younger, my family received this movie in the mail for some unknown reason and decided to give it a chance in our movie collection. Ever since, I have worshipped this movie. I mean, its been about 5 years and I still think its a fantastic film. I'm disappointed often by the fact that no one has ever seen it, but trust me, its worth it for everyone.

Comic Relief

[cristinaallegranza · 1/10 · 6 February 2019]

In the heart there's a neverland...(sorry ran away with the theme song) truly, that's the best I took away from the film. Let's break it down-Pete really isn't that scary, although for a leave it to beaver town he does give off a "straight out of Compton vibe". Mrs. Jenkins falling looked like the intro to a life alert commercial, the only thing we were missing were her input on benefits on a 911 dog tag. I was more concerned as to how the boys knew so well how to break into her house (plot twist: Pete ain't the only one who has questionable criminal tendencies). In addition, I don't know how why they were so concerned about the break in at the general store, just check the one place in town that sells "silk" Pantyhose and there you go. I love how the movie illustrates "criminal" behaviour by showing a bunch of kids breaking beer bottles on an abandoned railway track (so scary). This movie sucks, I gave it one star because I had to. The quality looks like it was filmed in the backyard of someone's home with an 8mm camera.

cinematic treasure

[merkinball24 · 15 November 2004]

One of the great masterpieces of our time, the buttercream gang takes a subtle approach to such important issues as the aryan nation, homo eroticism between childhood friends, and cheese. Younger viewers may not pick up on these themes and appreciate the movie as its makers intended- a commentary on how ideal our world would be if we all were fundamentalist conservative christians. Some concerned parents will object to the risqué dancing scene, and secular music, but this is where the film finds its "edge." The riveting story of pete, scott, lenny and eldon will have every viewer at the edge of their seat. Will the widow jenkins fall down again? will another flower bed fall victim to the harrowing actions of pete and his gang of troublemaker?? smiley face graffiti and broken bottles?? (you may want to cover the young ones eyes, these parts get pretty intense.) The climax of pete beating the p*ss out of canned goods is a moment in film history. So, strap on to this emotional roller-coaster if you dare, its worth the ride!

The most disturbing, bigoted film I've ever seen

[fuxing626 · 1/10 · 8 January 2003]

"The ButterCream Gang" is not only a horrible movie, it is quite fascist as well. Everyone in the film has blonde hair, except the bad guy who has brown hair. There are no Hispanics, Afro-Americans, Asians (except for a brief mention of Mahatma Gandhi, but I don't think that counts), Native Americans, or homosexuals in the film. In fact, when Pete (the bad guy) joins the bad gang, he changes his last name to a Mexican name for no apparent reason. There's also many misogynist images, such as the woman in the pink dress sweeping the porch.

It's also quite lame. The ButterCream Gang (the good gang) mowe people's lawns for no money, save "the Widow Jenkins" (not Mrs. Jenkins, Widow Jenkins; they have to remind her that her husband is dead every time they say her name) when she falls down, and, of course, attend regular church services. About one quater of the movie is father-son pep talks about how to deal with the bad gang, one of which mentions Gandhi, and I know if Gandhi lived to see his name mentioned in this chauvanist film, he would cry with shame. The bad gang do not do anything horrendous, merely break bottles a nd spraypaint sad faces on the sides of buildings. I'm sure racists love this movie.

Two Haiku Reviews

[jodawa80 · 4/10 · 23 June 2022]

Shockingly honest Despite production value A rare film today

~jodawa.

Or

Not shy about faith Not shy about hard friendships Not shy about love

~jodawa.

Overview of the Butter Cream Gang

[Juiletbebe05 · 10/10 · 11 February 2006]

I'm seventeen and I still love the Butter Cream Gang. YES--the lines in the movie are cheesy--but if you take a hard look you'll see what the movie is promoting. It's trying to convey the idea of respecting each other--loving and being thankful for who we were. Pete would not have turned around and become a better person again if it hadn't been for Scott and his friends. WATCH THE MOVIE--it is a wonderful movie--especially if you're sick of your kid just watching sex,violence, and cussing on the TV--I highly recommend this movie! I hate to see people being so mean about this movie. It's sad. Finally a move comes out that doesn't promote sex, drugs, or violence and it's dubbed cheesy. How unfair. Feature Films For Families isn't just some 'nutcase religious group'-they are a company that promote strong morals and values. What's so wrong with that?

This just goes to show you that a title like this, means your screwed.

[scifiman5385 · 1/10 · 6 August 2005]

Oh God where to begin, You ever hear about one of those movies/books/shows/etc. that is so nice and cuddly that people cant stand it ? This is one of them. This is, w/o a doubt, one of the worst movies i have had the undignified honor of viewing, and boy, it was a piece of...well..s#!t doesn't even give you an idea. it starts with main characters, who are so repulsively nice (to the point where it will make you question the sanity of the person who directed this abomination) that they made a gang (4 people = a gang ?) that does nice things. And all with Christian undertones that are as subtle as a blue whale being dropped on your house. One of the 4 leaves and goes to Chicago, becomes bad, comes back, wrong crowd stuff...wait...i get it this is supposed to convey a point, and NOT make the people watching it vomit. Look, I'll put it bluntly, its like an after school special that tells you what 45 % of the other ones do, be nice, hang out with the right crowd, blah blah blah, its not different, its not "cool", its not nice and happy but serious, its like the town they live in is perfect, thats it. Only 3 or 4 real "trouble-makers" (probably just egged a house, or stayed up past curfew) it has no meaning, and when i saw it, i was part of its target group, that was 2.5 years ago, thats how bad the suckiness of this movie stuck in my head. If your a die-hard Christian, even this is to much for you and your kids will be traumatized by the sickeningly overjoyed atmosphere of this tiny town which also evidently doesn't have any sort of Police Department, just the gang itself.

1 out of 10 AVOID AT ALL COSTS, DO NOT LET ANYONE TALK YOU INTO SEEING THIS IT'S JUST TO BAD, TO UNLIKELY, AND MOST OF WHATS THERE WANTS TO BE LIKE REAL LIFE, BUT ISN'T

Great snapshot before subhumans took over

[stighelmer-69272 · 10/10 · 29 December 2021]

I remember this film when I was in fourth grade. It had a great impact on me and I was happy to rewatch it recently. There is so much to this little after school special. The fact that leftists lost their minds in the reviews tells you everything that is great about this.

Buttercream Gang a BUST with my family

[slapper-4 · 1/10 · 4 January 2008]

I don't know what the other people who've rated this movie are thinking... but this movie is horrible... it was given to us as a gift, for Christmas. We got 15 or 20 minutes into it and turned it off. The acting was lame, the story line cheesy - a kid from a "good" small town (which seems to be stuck in some sort of weird time warp between the 50's and 80's) goes to the "bad" big city and becomes corrupted - casting a bad light on all big cities. The icing on the cake was the scene where the perfect, angelic kids, in their perfectly clean clothes and perfect hair-dos (soooo unrealistic) help the poor fallen widow by climbing through her 2nd story window... what about all the windows on the ground floor? Even before that, they ride for what seems like kms on their bikes, past numerous adults, not once asking for help - and has anyone there heard of 911?? We turned it off shortly after this and explained to our kids that if anyone they know is ever hurt or in trouble, they are to dial 911 immediately or ask an adult for help. We decided, as a family, to not finish watching the movie. This film... from the 15-20 min that I saw of it, is so cheesy and unrealistic I would never buy one! The copy we have will go into our infamous "garage sale" give away bin. I would much rather have my kids watch something they know is not real and not intended to be real, such as a good fantasy movie that may have some questionable content, than encourage them to watch something crappy and misleading, masquerading as "real" and "good".

cinematic *gold*

[ryanmcalary · 24 October 2003]

this movie is the most amazing piece of artwork i have ever seen. Did you notice that when Pete came back to Elk Ridge from Chicago he wanted to change his last name to Valdez? Those mormon screenwriters sure know how to make rascism funny. I really love this movie because it's reality based. You know, it really reminded me of the times in little league when i would stand up and start cheering "you got the right one baby!"

5 RANDOM REASONS WHY THIS MOVIE IS AMAZING

1. The women know their roles in family life 2. That ungrateful Widow Jenkins makes the boys do her shopping after they save her life....she really gets my blood boiling! 3. The word candy does not exist in Utah. It has been replaced with.....................TREATS!!!!! 4. The bad gang is very menacing....throwing rocks at bottles, setting trash on fire, ding dong ditching, 'kick me' signs on backs, you name it 5. 4-MAN choreographed huffy skid-outs!!!!!!!!

if this stuff doesn't excite you then STAY OUTTA UTAH!

May contain spoilers,I don't know

[pawleydeitra · 1/10 · 5 September 2008]

I saw the Buttercream gang when I was sixteen,my brothers and I popped it in our VHS Player and sat back to watch it.We ended up making snide comments the whole time.I'm a Christain and love good quality movies,but this thing was so cheesy and happy sappy I think I got a cavity from watching it.They try to overdramatise the serious parts. The Buttercream Gang is so perfectly good it makes you sick. The town is so small they preacher plays triple duty. Even the bad kid isn't that bad he shoplifts a couple of sodas (I think) the bullies aren't that scary,I mean what's so bad about riding your bike around the nerdy girl granted she'd get dizzy ,but still. The boys had a treehouse they're supposed to be 12 or 14 whatever way too old for a treehouse .I'm not sure I quite the moral of the story unless it was Don't move to big cities like Chicago or New York or you'll turn into a gang member and not the good kind either . The one good thing about the movie was the song that played toward the end and the credits other than it was horrible .

Unconditional Love

[wemprimo68 · 9/10 · 27 January 2005]

I watched this movie with my 8 year old nephew. It would not win any Oscars, but the "heart" of this movie is what makes it great. We live in a rather small town and we do have a gang problem. I know because I used to teach these gang members. I wanted to talk to my nephew about gangs, but mostly to remind him of God's love for us. How he loves us "No Matter What". Just like a good parent, He will discipline us when we need it to correct us, but He will never stop loving us. We should follow this example with one another. It is true that the world will never "perfect", but that is no reason for us to stop trying to improve our relationships with one another, and in turn improve our world. I also believe it shows that just one person can make a difference. Jesus began it by showing us how to treat one another. Scott showed God's love to Pete. (It reminded of David and Jonathan from the Bible). Then Pete showed it to others and so on. It isn't just a "dream" as some cynic's would have us believe. If you look past the amateur acting, etc. and look at the heart of the movie, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised, and just may learn something of our Heavenly Father yourself. After all, that is what He does for us. :-)

I would not want to meet Pete in a Dark Alley

[elderfarr · 10/10 · 12 October 2012]

Pete is a bad man. I commend Scott for having the guts to stand up to him when others wouldn't.

OK...... So on a serious note, I am 28 and I dig this movie. I watched it when I was a kid, and have fond memories. Even part 2 is good. If you liked it, give "On Our Own" a try. Another Featured Films for Families classic. This brings back some good memories. The message is good, the acting is not top notch, but I have seen way worse. If you are bored and want to switch up the movies you have been watching, give this one a try. It is good for kids too. It is on DVD not just VHS and you can probably find it online pretty cheap. Some of the stuff is kind of funny, like them breaking bottles and setting trash cans on fire, but I suppose it is better than showing violent scenes for the type of movie this is.

I loved this movie

[Wonder986 · 22 June 2003]

I used to watch this movie in school when I was young and I always loved it. My friends and I still talk about it sometime. Sure, the acting may not be top notch but that has nothing to do with the message and good feeling that the movie portrays. I can't see how anyone can say this movie is one of the worst they've seen. It might not be the best but I've seen far worse.

Oscar material

[nice_nice_jedi · 10/10 · 27 August 2008]

Ah, the Buttercream Gang! Where do I begin? Is it the truly gripping plot, the heart wrenching performances, or perhaps the life changing soundtrack that makes this movie a real winner. I must admit this movie makes me cry every time i see it. The fact that Pete Turner would leave his group of sweet, inspiring friends to become a gangsta, just gets me right in the heart. watch out, might not want to let the kids see this one. pete's gang pulls kids off the see saw, spray paints a smiley face on a building, and steals fruit pies. the outfits were a little extreme too. when it comes to true gangsta clothes, this movie hit a little too close to the mark. kids, shield your eyes. Michael weatherred gives a tortured performance as pete turner, especially the classic grocery store scene, where he utters the immortal line, "Because I hate myself!" Marlon Brando better watch his back. And as for Jason Johnson, the hottie who plays good boy Scott Carpenter, well, lets just say there's gonna be a new set of handprints in front of the Grauman's Chinese theater. Trust me on this, you won't want to miss this movie milesone.