Meatballs III: Summer Job

I don't understand why Meatballs III ranks in the bottom 100. It isn't a Kubrick film nor is it Star Wars, but it never intended to be. Meatballs III is, very simply, a summer "camp" B-movie infused with a dose of teenage humor. I enjoy it and even own it on videotape because the film's premise is hilarious and it plays out well. (I didn't pay much for the used tape, though.) In fact, I think it is more entertaining than half of what makes it into the movie theaters from Hollywood.

The movie is entertaining because the premise is so outrageous you can't believe anyone made a film out of it. Also, I enjoy the antics of the outrageous, ogre-ish "Mean Gene" who owns the marina.

If you just want to relax with a few beers and don't mind drek if its done decently and doesn't pretend to be anything other than drek, then you might enjoy this movie.

I voted a 7 for it because it is pretty decent as far as B-movies go. I did not rank it on the same scale that I would use for a more serious movie or a big budget Hollywood film.

Yes, it being the summer is the only thing that remotely ties this film to the first two movies. That being said I did enjoy this movie more than part two, however, you can see by my score of four that I still did not like this movie overall. It had potential and I think its low score here of 2.8 has a lot to do with the fact it tries to pass itself off as a sequel to a set of movies it has nothing remotely in common with. However, that being said overall it was still a poor comedy with the typical teen sex comedy plot...guy wants to lose virginity. The twist, a ghost of a porn star must try and help him. Of course, my question is why does he need help? He is pals with a cute girl who would obviously be more than willing to have sex with him, I mean she is watching a porno with him. Still, if it were that easy there would be no movie. However, that may have been a good thing in this case. Still, it has a couple of good comedy moments and far less groan inducing humor than part two (though it has its fair share as well). So there you have it, we go from family oriented comedy to a teen sex romp in three films.

Sally Kellerman has been in some good stuff ("Serial", "Foxes", "The Boston Strangler").

Then there's "Meatballs III"...and this stuff ain't good.

You see, Kellerman plays a deceased porn star whose only ticket into heaven is to help a hopeless nerd (Dempsey) lose his virginity at summer camp.

This is a Canadian tax write-off (as if you couldn't tell from Waxman in the credits) and it shows from the writing right down to the witless sight gags (dropping trou here is as sophisticated as it gets). Don't get all huffy, now: I like Canadian movies as much as the next guy, but not when they're this stupid.

What else can you say about a movie that under-utilizes Shannon Tweed as much as this one does?

Nothing good, that's for sure.

No stars for this one. Maybe someone should write Jason Voorhees to move to this camp.... Anyone got his address?

Yes it's camp, cheesy & corny nonetheless far away to be bad, 3.5 rating it means that many bitters placed lowest rating like 1-2 out 10, it conceals the downgrading so deeply, quite sure something around 5.5 shall be more appropriated, of Meatballs franchise I just watched this third sequel and fourth only, starting by the premise is shallow however effective at its proposal, all those gorgeous girls in a summer spot on soft sexploitation oriented delivers all the audience really expected.

The leading casting Sally Kellerman as porn film star died on action going into heaven has a final task back earth as spirit to be accepted there is clever purpose, the newbie Patrick Dempsey at his major role is plenty suitable, many funny sequences come over, mainly the filthy character Mean Geane (George Busa) was a right choice and his buddy Huey the Rat's leader (Maury Chaykin) as well, the producers have staked in the teenager offering as much near of PORKY's influence, the famous Shannon Tweed as Love Goddess just appearing at last sequence was a wasting.

It had a smashing success in Brazil aired many times on TV, in nineties it was released in VHS format only, unfortunately until now never come out in DVD, praying for it with dubbed classic version the entire franchise, fully restored of course, don't be fooled by the haters it's a funniest teenager entertainment that worthwhile revisit.

Thanks for reading.

Resume:

First watch: 1993 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-Youtube / Rating: 5.5.

Sally Kellerman manages to totally debase herself, but nobody really shines in this movie that demonstrates they should have stopped at #1.