Richard Mulligan attempts to provide comic relief for the comedy, in the role of a grizzled archangel, but it's a thankless task. The most interesting element of the film is its premise. [26 July 1985, p.D8]
Teenage summer film trash such as The Heavenly Kid makes one root for the leaves to start turning brown.
37
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
Cary Medoway uses backlighting and spatially distorting lenses to give the film the hyped-up look of a rock video, but his handling of actors is so inept that he must rely on the rock score to make the most basic emotional points.
Guardian angel movies almost always have a little charm, but The Heavenly Kid has none.
25
TV Guide Magazine
TV Guide Magazine
A reprehensible film that unashamedly steals ideas (if not entire scenes) from other works.
25
Washington PostPaul Attanasio
Washington PostPaul Attanasio
Everything about The Heavenly Kid is ripped off, from a sprig of music that apes the Beverly Hills Cop theme to Gedrick, who was obviously cast because he looks like Tom Cruise, but cheaper. [26 July 1985, p.D2]