Good start, but then it gets ruined

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Blistering performances.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Brewster Baker (Kenny Rogers) is a washed-out race car driver. His car parts get stolen. He chases after the thieves who drive their van off a bridge. Brewster is shocked to find the thieves are actually six kids. He saves the youngest Little Harry from the river. Heather/Breezy (Diane Lane) is the oldest of the orphaned siblings. They steal for corrupt Sheriff Big John (Barry Corbin) to stay together. Brewster is quickly arrested but the kids break him out. His girlfriend bar waitress Lilah (Erin Gray) pushes him to be a reluctant father figure and they become his diminutive pit crew.Kenny Rogers is not the greatest actor but he's good enough here. I liked this a lot when I was a kid. The six pack is compelling and I really root for them. There's a young Diane Lane and an even younger Anthony Michael Hall. The story is sweet. The kids are all familiar with foul language and Swifty is the loudest. It's a family film of that era. It's also a movie that is always going to have a happy ending. In addition, there is plenty of race track action.

Six Pack (1982): Dir: Daniel Petrie / Cast: Kenny Rogers, Erin Grey, Terry Kiser, Barry Corbin, Diane Lane: A gentler retread of the Burt Reynolds race car comedies only this time it is country singer Kenny Rogers at the wheel. We are suppose to be amused with a title that suggests six kids and a six pack of beer. By the time this film ends one may need more than a six pack. Rogers plays sports car racer Brewster Baker who is returning to the sport after a two year absence. He comes across six kids who fix or dispatch vehicles but it is obvious that these orphans will bond with Rogers who will parent them from the scheming Sheriff. Screenplay attempts to hide stupidity under a heavy dose of charm. Director Daniel Petrie does best with the racing footage. Rogers presents charm, which allows him to be a likable present but we know his destiny. Erin Grey plays his girlfriend with no other function other than to bang him for an evening. Terry Kiser plays an exaggerated rival driver called the Turk. Barry Corbin plays the stereotypical moron Sheriff to a much lesser degree of success than Jackie Gleason had in the superior Smokey in the Bandit. Diane Lane seems to be the one teenager with any structure at all to her role as she struggles with decisions and growing too fast on the road. Cashing in on the success of Rogers within a screenplay that must have taken several six packs to write. Score: 3 / 10

I was 10 years old in 1982 - when this film came out. And I remember this movie as an adult because it was a pretty good movie for it's time era. Looking back on the film: the kids were complete brats in the beginning of the movie - they were in need of a step-father. The kids just did not realize it until Brewster Baker (Rogers) showed up. Oddly enough, Brewster didn't realize just how much he was wanting kids of his own until he ended up with a 6-pack of them.This is a heartwarming story. A man and six kids who found out they needed each other more than they could ever imagine.7.5/10

I'm with amyjo79 with this movie, as I saw it on TV years ago and videotaped it, then just bought the DVD when I finally found it had been released.Yes, it has its corny parts and some bad language in it, but as was already said, Kenny Rogers' character chides the kids for swearing and they stop doing it for the most part. Yes it is predictable to a certain degree as well, but since the DVD arrived here, my three boys aged between 4 - 9yrs have not stopped watching it! They love the fast cars, the music and the plot in general, and I won't stop them watching it. My boys understand that they are not allowed to swear and that it's only a movie and not real.I have always liked Kenny Rogers' music and always will, and if you like his music too, I'm sure you will like the move as well.