This series of movies may have been sentimental and old fashioned in its attempt to make the far north version of Swiss Family Robinson. The acting if good and the stories, although fought with danger are realistic to life in the north country. If we are to goo through life only living for and watching movies made to please many of those who prefer the world through a cynics eye then we are doomed to miss a lot. Watching a skunk lapping the frosting off a much converted cake and the raven stealing the clothes pin may be far fetched, but possible. The scenery is beyond beautiful and even though the first girl who played the daughter is replaced in the second and third movies, the replacement is a delight to watch.

This film is not a great family film, it is not even a mediocre family film. This film sucks! The plot, which makes up the entire movie (as there is no action, which would be fine if it had a good plot) is full of holes. This guy's daughter can't breathe in downtown Denver, so, instead of moving to the suburbs, the country, or other reasonable alternatives, he takes his entire family in to -guess- the wilderness. They survive by putting up a cabin in about 2 months, which appears to have its own electricity and heating, powered by..... um. The appearance of wildlife is also stupid. The family raises bear cubs to full-grown bears without ever needing to act like bears, protect themselves, or otherwise make sure the bears do not attack, but the film also demonizes wolves by showing them as mindless beasts that attack and kill for no reason, when in reality wolves are smarter and better towards humans than bears. Duh! I would go on, but I won't waste my time. Just... don't watch this movies. Period.

I loved this film as a child - and was brought up in the Rocky Mountains, backpacking with my Dad, and can relate to the feeling of wanting to drop everything and "head for the hills."Have seen the movie and its sequel recently, I can still say it is a movie I would love for my children to watch and love. It is wholesome, family value oriented, and in general, a great joy for kids. It makes you want to go out camping and enjoy what little wilderness we have left in the US. While I do have to agree with other posters that you simply can't "up and leave" as they do in this film (ie - no preparation re: hunting, fishing, planting, learning, etc.), you just can't fit all that into a film. And it would bore the kids to death. It is a family/children's film, after all, not an adult action flick.I highly recommend this film to anyone with children.

So many bad reviews! Why? I loved this as a kid-OK so maybe now it's not my favorite but being that this movie stayed with me as a kid and helped fuel my interest in movies I'd say there was plenty of good to this.What I liked best about it was the adventure. In these times, a movie like this would never be made at all, or at least not without computer generated monsters chasing the family and lots of car chases. The best thing about this movie is it's earthiness and tranquility. The feeling of being in the middle of nowhere-I can appreciate all types of environments but there is something so beautiful about being in the country when it's perfectly still with just yourself and the environment. In this movie that feeling is created beautifully, it touches the nature and quiet, country feeling. The scenery and country feeling created is beautiful.It is also not boring at all as this family struggles to make it out in the middle of nowhere.Lots of wildlife and lots of Action packed adventure.Lots of adversities to overcome. And as mentioned, the cinematography is great-you'll feel like your out there in the wilderness too!I'm not saying this is the best movie in the world-but for those who can appreciate a story revolving around a family and their struggles out in the wilderness it's great. I was enamored as a kid. I wanted to be out there with them! I think this is a good movie and would give it at least an 8. Of coarse it wont appeal to everyone but shouldn't be forgotten either.