Troop Beverly Hills (1989)

Troop Beverly Hills is a fizzy, big-hearted comedy that turns culture clash into a surprisingly sincere celebration of found family, with Shelley Long shining as a woman who discovers real purpose while surrounded by sequins, sarcasm, and suddenly very real responsibility. The movie’s special charm is how it lets its Beverly Hills gloss coexist with genuine warmth: the jokes land, the underdog energy builds, and the girls gradually become a team without the film ever getting preachy about it. Jeff Kanew keeps the vibe light and crowd-pleasing—more upbeat hangout adventure than wilderness saga—while Craig T. Nelson and Betty Thomas add just the right push-and-pull of romantic friction and cartoonishly strict rivalry. It’s not for everyone if you’re allergic to late-’80s broadness or mild innuendo, but if you want a comfort-watch that’s funny, optimistic, and sneakily sweet, this earns its merit badge.

Troop Beverly Hills is trying to be a fish-out-of-water comedy that gently satirizes rich-kid privilege while turning into a warm, pro-mom redemption story. The problem is it often plays like a stretched sitcom episode: the jokes are broad, the conflicts feel engineered, and the “Beverly Hills vs. real scouts” angle isn’t as sharp or as funny as it thinks it is. If you’re hoping for biting satire or consistent laughs, this will likely feel flimsy and repetitive, with cartoonish villains and a lot of easy moral lessons. But if you’re in the mood for late-’80s comfort viewing, Shelley Long’s committed energy, a few sweet troop bonding moments, and a generally harmless vibe may be enough to carry you through.