My review was written in March 1990 after a screening on Manhattan's Westside.
This undemanding physical comedy is obviously aimed at the video fan, but offers okay gags for theatrical audiences waxing nostalgic for the generally unlamented '70s vehicular comedies involving trucks and cars.
The Barbarian Brothers, actually twins Peter Paul and David Paul, topline as a pair of affable but somewhat dim truckers hauling a load of toxic waste across country. Brainy but beautiful 16-year-old Ari Meyers stows away in their vehicle, as she's on the lam with her secret weapon developed at Martin Mull's think tank for kids.
There's plenty of effective slapstick as cartoonish villains chase after the tri, who are joined later by Meyers' school psychologist, the fast maturing starlet Claudia Christian. David Carradine, in particular, is fun (costumed to resemble his brother Keith) as a nutty repo man.
Meyers, who plays Susan Saint James' daughter on tv's "Kate & Allie" series, is delightful as the precocious heroine and manages to maintain a straight face opposite the cuddly but oversize nonactor Paul brothers. Except for a sex scene with a voluptuous waitress at a diner. The twins remain squeaky clean comic heroes for kids.
Cast's cameo include Richard Kiel gently spoofing his familiar screen heavey image and Olympic great Rafer Johnson cast opposite wrestling star Tiny Lister (aka "Zeus") as fellow truckers.
Only thing getting in the way of the decent gags and one-liners is an unfortunate emphasis on plugola for Coca-Cola product.
