Movie Review: "The Last Chance Detectives: Legend of the Desert Bigfoot"

Rated: Not Rated
Starring: Crystle Lightning, Ryan Calhoun, Davin Carey, and David Netter
Released: 1995

Synopsis: In this second adventure, the Last Chance Detectives are investigating the possibility of Bigfoot invading their small town! The monster supposedly stole an old man's gold and threatened the lives of some campers...but, everyone knows there's no such thing as Bigfoot...or is there? Winnie, Spence, Ben, and Mike use their deduction skills and gadgets to determine what's going on and who is actually responsible.
From Focus on the Family Films.  Features an appearance by Sherry Hursey (Home Improvement).

The Good: Despite its apparently modest budget, this movie works fairly well.  The story is convoluted enough to keep even older viewers interested, and the kids and most of the adults are rather likable characters.  There's even a bit of intensity.

The Bad: While the action sequences may interest older kids, they may be too much for the older set.  I was surprised to see a scene with a man drinking alcohol, as well as another where a kid nearly falls to his death.  This is supposed to be a Christian movie, but God only gets mentioned once or twice briefly.  Also, product placement was far too present, though that's likely how the film was financed.

Content Concerns:

• Sex: None. 5/5
• Nudity: None. 5/5
• Language: Nothing worse than, "What in the blue blazes...?" 4/5
• Violence: Several action sequences, including one where a kid nearly dies, and another where a sheriff is knocked out with the back end of a gun.  Two guys nearly get run over.  A scary story told around a campfire has violent references. 3/5
• Drugs: A man is seen drinking alcohol, which is also talked about. 4/5
• Frightening/Intense Sequences: Along with the violence, the scenes involving "Bigfoot" are mildly scary. 2/5
• Other: Excessive product placement. 4/5

Conclusion: My mom has been a big fan of Focus on the Family for quite a while; when I was younger, I used to get both Clubhouse and Breakaway magazines, both of which were publications of theirs.  Though we don't get their monthly updates or listen to their radio broadcasts anymore, I still find myself checking out their Plugged In website, especially when I get a new album so I can weed out any inappropriate tracks.  You might think that my longtime experience with their ministry would make me like this automatically, but, it didn't.  Though fun for what it is, I doubt I'll be watching it again; it's likely going straight to my trade-in pile.

Score: 3/5