Meatballs

I rarely even bother to watch comedic movies or television these days. They're insipid, vulgar, and, most importantly, not funny. This one could be seen as a refreshing blast from the past. It's worth watching, and I don't believe it would be dated in any significant way. Classic humor is classic humor, and good writing is good writing regardless of the era in which created. I would love to see this film again; it came to mind after having seen the somewhat similar "Summer School" on television recently. Like that slightly newer film, "Meatballs" is funny without being cruel, overly sexual or indulging in bathroom humor. The key, of course, is how the adult character makes such a difference in the life of the teen character -- maybe even a virtually life-saving change -- and how they both grow up in the space of a summer.

Once upon a time, Bill Murray didn't play serious roles, just goofy ones. "Meatballs" is one of the best, funniest examples. It's basically and hour and a half of complete silliness, with Murray as a counselor at a Canadian summer camp. If the movie has any problem, it's that the movie spawned a seemingly infinite number of movies about summer camps - and a lot of those were about kids trying to save their summer camps. But anyway, this one is a real hoot, especially what results from Murray's telling of the hook-handed-killer-tries-to-attack-teenagers urban legend. And of course, director Ivan Reitman later directed Murray in "Stripes" and the "Ghostbusters" movie (unfortunately, Reitman later backed Arnold Schwarzenegger for governor). A really fun romp. I wonder what ever became of Chris Makepeace.

No, it's not Citizen Kane. But would you expect it to be with a name like "Meatballs"? It's the best damn summer camp movie of all the summer camp movies. Does anyone quote "Little Darlings" line by line? Or "Whitewater Summer"? This is just one of those movies that got into my brain when I was in junior high, and stayed with me all these years. Every time I feel geeky, I mumble "Spaz. Spaz. Spaz. Spaz." Or when we're hiking in the brush in the forest, I tell my husband, "I'm Wudy da Wabbit." (He doesn't get it). "It just doesn't matter. It just doesn't matter." I mean, this stuff is classic! Disappointed with the DVD, though. Wish there were special features, maybe a commentary or a making-of. But the movie itself is a perfect snapshot of life as an adolescent in the late '70s. Maybe not MY life... You can't help but want to run around out in the woods in shorty shorts and knee-high socks and feathered hair every time you see this movie.

Meatballs has been a main staple in my family for over 26 years! We saw this movie when it first came out and have seen it dozens of times since. Bill Murray is at his best and is most touching in the scenes where he reaches out to a lonely pre-teen boy and befriends him, while leading his CIT's into once mischievous scheme after another! The cast of characters are fun and zany and you really come to care about them and the relationships they have with each other. This is not another sleazy, dumb, teen sex-fest. It is funny and sweet and just all-around fun. Anyone who sees this will enjoy themselves. It is a must-see. Watch out for Spaz - he is by far the best character! (Especially during the camp social - while Bill Murray hams it up for the camera - just watch Spaz behind him dancing with the poor girl he picks to dance with!) By far, one of my very favorite comedies of all time!

Meatballs is a great, feel-good movie. The first time I saw this movie was 1981 on HBO. I was 13 and loving every moment. I just finished watching it again, thanks to the 50+ movie channels satellite offers these days. Anyways, not only is Meatballs the excellent feel-good movie every young boy and 30 something should watch, it reminds me of the times I had in summer camp when was 7-10 years old. Bill Murray really makes the movie, as does "Rudy." The movie really shows how boys and girls did act at summer camp. Now, my summer camps were all church summer camps, but as young kids we all wanted the same things; to be accepted by others and fit in, and to have a shot at holding a girl's hand and maybe getting a kiss. those times were always great. Thanks to Ivan Reitman, we have a movie to ensure rekindling of great memories and laughs.

As a young teen when this came out, I completely related to it. As an adult in the present sex- obsessed American culture, it doesn't have enough nudity to be called tame. If you are looking for American Pie-type lewdness, vulgarity or fart and feces jokes, Meatballs will disappoint with impunity and a guarantee. If you like Bill Murray, and you like good clean fun, you will probably like and enjoy this film very much. Similarly with Stripes, Ghostbusters, Caddy Shack, etc. Enough said, just go watch it, and stop intellectualizing it. It's Meatballs, for crying out loud! Why read a review? Just enjoy it and have fun. And ignore the trash talk by others. Films, like so many other things in life, are subjective. To each his own. Always beware the 'expert' who diminishes others' taste.

Meatballs brought together Bill Murray and director Ivan Reitman. It also had Harold Ramis as co writer. Trip Harrison (Bill Murray) is a slacker camp counsellor at Camp North Star, a summer camp for kids. He is in charge of Counsellors-in-Training. Instead he is busy flirting with fellow counsellor Roxanne. He also has a rapport with lonely kid Rudy who does not like playing soccer. Trip also plays tricks on the camp's director, Morty. Every morning Morty wakes up somewhere strange. The film culminates with Camp North Star taking on a rival in a competition where they have not beaten them for years. This time the kids are spurred on by Trip's irreverent attitude 'It just doesn't matter.' Meatballs has a thin story. It does have some innuendo but the comedy is more kid friendly than raunchy. The comedy relies more on Murray's charisma who made his film debut. It is a bit of a mixed bag.