The Beniker Gang (1984)

Let's be realistic.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

The first must-see film of the year.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

I thought this was a good film with an emotional storyline based on a 'family' of five orphans. The five realise they have a special bond together, and see themselves as a family. Arthur, the leader of the family is 18 and has an unusual job but it pays the bills. There are two teen boys, one teenage girl and a six year old boy. They all decide to leave their orphanage so they won't be fostered and then separated from each other. On the run, they eventually find their dream house and have the time of their lives finally living as a family at last. However, they encounter problems when their neighbours suspect that they are runaways without parents and Arthur and the rest of them have to fight to stay together. There is a great bond between these orphans which makes it a good film to watch, especially for the family.

One of the worst of all 1980's family oriented films. This one stars Andrew McCarthy as the eldest and leader of a group of orphans who gradually begin to work together as if they're an actual family. This kind of film has been made so many times before and after this one that it's not even remotely interesting anymore.

Afraid of being separated, a group of five children run away from their orphanage. There's Arthur, the oldest; James, the introvert; Edmund, the sort of wisecracking kid; Cassie, the shy tomboy; Benjamin, the kid who eats paper. Cassie has the idea of what would be their perfect home, paints a picture of it, and they all set out to find it. They steal a pizza delivery van, repaint it and drive to Missouri. They arrive there at night, but must pull over due to a flat tire. The next morning Cassie's the first to wake. She steps out of the van and lo and behold, they've stopped right in front of a house with an uncanny similarity to the one she drew. It happens to be for sale so they buy the place (Arthur has a nice income from writing a "Dear Lola" column for a newspaper) and fix it up. It's here where the Beniker "Family" decide to live, and must put up with the snobbery of the nearby villagers. There are lots more coincidences, but you'll see them if you watch. Don't get me wrong--I actually liked this movie. It's sweet and interesting and devoid of the annoying, whiney personalities given to so many young characters in the few children's movies made today. Teenagers probably won't be too thrilled with The Beniker Gang (though I liked it), but it's just right for 10-12 yr. olds.

I saw this movie as a kid (now you can guess about how old I am), and saw it recently, and it's still fun to watch. A little fairytale-like. Andrew McCarthy was the male equivalent of Molly Ringwald in the 80's. Just a fun light-weighted way to pass an hour and a half.