A gang who are nifty on BMX bikes inadvertently find the walkie talkies of a gang who are planning a heist. The gang target the kids.

How did Brian Trenchard-Smith follow up his Ozploitation masterpiece, Turkey Shoot? By making a family film revolving around one of the biggest 80’s trends, naturally.

BMX Bandits has aged very well indeed. Beautiful cinematography, a bright and bold colour palate and a yarn that never lags or becomes boring, BMX Bandits fully deserved its status as one of the most recognisable kids films from the 80’s.

It was not just a huge hit in its native Australia but also here in the UK, both at the cinema and on home video. The film also holds several UK pop culture references. Check out the Minder t-shirt one of the robbers wears (Minder appears to have been popular in Oz as Dennis Waterman was a guest at that year’s Logies).

This was also one of Nicole Kidman’s first roles.

Also, check out the naughty references for the adults watching such as the priest who suddenly finds his head in between the legs of a female shop mannequin.

80s to the core and fantastic because of it.

4 out of 5 stars