3297. Adventures In Babysitting (1987)

Starring: Elisabeth Shue, Maia Brewton, Keith Coogan

Director: Chris Columbus

Running Time: 102 mins

Adventures In Babysitting is an American film about a high school senior who sits for two siblings one evening, but soon sees the night turn into chaos as they find themselves pursued across the city by criminals.

I had an absolute whale of a time with this film. More than just another ’80s comedy, Adventures In Babysitting is wall-to-wall hilarity blended with great adventure, fantastic characters and memorable performances, all of which delivers a fun-loving watch that appeals to viewers of pretty much all ages.

That last point is actually one of the things that make Adventures In Babysitting so good. It’s a fun-loving movie, but it’s neither overly family-friendly, nor excessively dark and gritty. In fact, it hits a real sweet spot which makes it a fluffy, enjoyable watch, as well as a film with a little bit of depth and boldness to it.

Of course, the distinctive ’80s style is always cause for celebration, and with a whole lot of shoulder pads and perms to be seen throughout the movie, those with a good bit of nostalgia for the decade will lap up all of the contemporary sensibilities of Adventures In Babysitting.

But even for those born after the ’80s, the movie has tremendous appeal, much of which comes from the surprising charisma and chemistry of its lead actors. Composed of a young cast fronted by Elisabeth Shue (Back To The Future Part II), the movie absolutely soars on account of the lead performances.

Shue plays the high school babysitter trying to keep tabs on both the kids she’s looking after as well as her own friends and social life. Inevitably, this leads to her leading Keith Coogan, Maia Brewton and Anthony Rapp out on a crazy night across the city, when they should all be nicely tucked up in bed.

For the most part, Adventures In Babysitting doesn’t have the most innovative story you’ll ever see, but the lead quartet work brilliantly together, with Shue’s charisma, likably juvenile turns from Coogan and Rapp, and a whole lot of energy from the young Maia Brewton working wonders through the film.

That plays into the movie’s comedy value, which is absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Brilliantly funny right the way through, Adventures In Babysitting has all the chaotic slapstick and sharp wit of a really great comedy, and I found myself laughing my socks off from the very start to the very end.

Light-hearted and action-packed throughout, Adventures In Babysitting is just the kind of pick-me-up kind of movie you may need. Genuinely funny and so, so fun, I had a whale of a time with this great comedy, and that’s why I’m giving it an 8.0 overall.