Product Details

• Actors: Whip Hubley, Joaquin Phoenix, Peter Billingsley, Stefan DeSalle, Susan Walters
• Format: NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: December 3, 1994
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00000F5X8
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #462,419 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars surprise sleeper, February 13, 2004

By 

H+E (Albuquerque, New Mexico United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Russkies (DVD)

We rented this on a lark, and although it looked like it was intended for kids, enjoyed it. During the time of the cold war, a russian officer is stranded in the US. Befriended by a group of kids, he finds friendship. Thre is cultural commentary even the young will understand. Although this movie didn't do well in the theatres, it is one of my favorite "sleepers."

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Russkies, September 4, 2005

By 

LovingLife - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Russkies (DVD)

Very fun old B movie. I was an extra in this movie so I am biased. Too bad there are no special features but with Leaf Phoenix who is now known as Joaquin and little Peter Billingsley, it is a must have to your collection.

3.0 out of 5 stars Follows successful 80's movie formula, but falls short, October 30, 2011

By 

Liz (Santa Barbara, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Russkies (DVD)

This film adheres to the recipe of successful 80's filmmaking. We are introduced to a diverse group of boyhood friends with a hunger for adventure and desire to prove their manhood that reminds us, but does not capture, the well-developed dynamic in Stand by Me. They find an E.T. - um, I mean, Russian, on a nearby beach and hold him hostage. Rather than peddle him around in a bicycle basket or take him out in a ghost costume, they choose upgraded transport via boat. No costume is needed when you use the blood-relative disguise, and passing him off as Joaquin Phoenix's uncle does the trick. Can you say 80's make-over montage?

Not surprisingly, a questionable friendship develops between the boys and their prisoner that is reminiscent of the unlikely bond between the Goonies and Sloth. We are shown just how much fun an adult male can have with a group of young boys as they introduce him to all great things American. They may not be feeding him Reese's Pieces, but you can taste the propaganda, and check out the supermarket aisle full of Oreos! Wow, who wouldn't want to wash ashore here?

Equally unlikely, but predictably 80's, is the instant romance between Russian Mischa and Adam's older sister. Yet, if we've learned anything from Ringwald (not featured in this movie), it's that common interests are not prerequisites for declaring your eternal love for Jake Ryan. Being the same age is enough. Continue the nonsensical romance Russian heartthrob and Peter Pan haircut girl!

Top it all off with a boy stealing a rocket pack to save the day, and you would think Russkies had solidified its place in the annals of cinema genius. So what went wrong? Obviously the lack of a dance-off competition didn't help. Perhaps the group of boys needed to bond in detention or sing on a parade float to be taken seriously in the cinematic world. While this film is not bad, it certainly falls short. It formulates the hallmarks of great movie-making, but lacks the magic to become a classic.