I absolutely adore Shelley Long AND Craig T. Nelson (though admittedly this is the first -and prob only- film I have seen them costar.) They are wonderfully 'matched' as estranged spouses on the brink of divorce, and juggling a peacemaking preteen daughter. At first I wasn't sure what to think as my Shelley memories are stuck in CHEERS. However, this role was perfect for her personae, and the film, absolutely enjoyable.What it boils down to, humorously, is the a-typical "diamond in the rough" indulged Beverly Hills housewife; challenged to take on an area in which she is unfamiliar but at the same time intrigued. Enter The Wilderness Girls which her daughter is involved. The fun only begins when their chairwoman snidely challenges Nefler to prove herself as a Wilderness leader.

This movie was excellent from start to finish. I enjoy watching old movies on TV and this was no exception. It caught my attention as soon as I read the movie description. Shelly long and her daughter lives in posh Beverly hills and she is the ultimate fashionista. She wanted to prove to her daughter that she knew more about life than jewels and clothes. She became mother of the wilderness girls troop which her daughter was a part of and led them to the finish line proving to her daughter all along the way that she was no quitter. Having had some fierce competition she was still able to beat them sending the other leader into a frenzy. This movie is perfect for little girl troopers who enjoy movies like Polyanna and Annie etc. I absolutely loved it and thought it was brilliant.

If only all girls scouts were as fun as Troop Beverly Hills! The film about a down and out divorced house wife with a passion for fashion becoming a girl's scout leader is both hilarious,exciting and thoroughly entertaining.Comedic actress Shelley Long shines as Phyllis Nefler,the woman who dares to make alterations to her daughter's scout uniform,and modify the location of their bushland camping trips to the Beverly Hills Hotel! Phyllis rejects traditional scout activities such as bush walking for manicures and pedicures,preferring her troops to live in the lap of luxury.Needless to say,the girls adore her,the leaders of the other scout groups despise her,and this is all makes the delightful,hilarious and wacky comedy that is Troop Beverly Hills!

Let's say it together, "Troop Beverly Hills Sucks." However, I can't stop watching it. What's wrong with me? This movie is like the moon, all cheese, but its campy 80s cheese at the peak of its cheesiness. No decade other than the 80s could have produced this film, as it has a direct not so subtle attitude of "rich people get a bad rap." So what if they don't like camping or first aid or low budget shopping, they can 'survive' in the "wild of Beverly Hills." It may just be me, but this is an extremely shallow movie and yet it is never ashamed of being so. Even in the troops redemption at 'real' camp the troop comes off as a bunch of whiny rich kids. You can't help but side with the pesimistic outlook of ms. Plendor towards the troop, because they're a bunch of spoiled brats who don't know what nature or hard work are. No true realization of the err of their way by the troop and Nefler and thus the film remains a cocky culmination of rich ideas and attitudes from the opening animated title sequence to the end credits. However, its so dated that one can't help but be engrossed by its themes as ridiculous. Plus Craig T. Nelson (Coach himself) is in it along with a brief cameo by Cheech Marin ("Anie Herman, bo-yoi-yoi-yoi-yoing!") so it has its moments. Its fun to look at the young girls of 1989 Hollywood, which include Carla Gugino ("Son In Law" TV's "Karen Sisco" and 1st season of "Spin City"), Heather Hopper ("Saved By The Bell"'s Nikki) ,Kellie Martin ("Life Goes On", "ER"), Emily Schulman (the sister in the freakish 80s TV show "Small Wonder"), and Jenny Lewis (The Red Hed in "The Wizard") they capture a decade of idiocy and greed so well its fun to watch and scoff at the film's shallow message. Plus you'll probably have that darn cookie song stuck in your head for weeks. For Quality, Grade:D, for repeat watchability, Grade:B+.