Meatballs (Special Edition) Reviews

• Hey, You Have a Good Summer, Too

  
  By A3NUM3JIE6II0F on 2000-02-21
  This is one of my favorite movies from childhood, and I still love it (I'm now 27).

  Bill Murray is terrific as head counselor Tripper Harrison in this warm and funny feel-great movie. All of the players in the ensemble cast are good, and the music is also really effective. If you like summer, good times, goofy humor, if you were born in the seventies (or even if you weren't) check out "Meatballs". It's a great way to spend a Friday evening--make something strange for a midnight snack and put on "Meatballs".

  As for the DVD transfer, here are a couple of comments:

  1. It does include the trailer. 2. It's a "matted" widescreen version, which means you actually see less than you do on the full-screen VHS version, because they simply lay black bars across the top and bottom of the full-screen image (I compared the two versions scene-to-scene). 3. For some reason, some of the music has been changed in the DVD version. I found this unfortunate, because the music is one of my favorite parts of the movie. Whenever the song "Meatballs" plays, for instance, an alternate version is played. Also, the "Makin' It" song at the "big social" scene is cut differently.

  Aside from these few complaints, I'll still give the disc five stars, because I love the movie so much.
  
  

• INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2007 SPECIAL EDITION

  
  By A2OPU2LQOABDDZ on 2007-05-31
  Update: Just received mine last week (6/14/07) and it is ONE disc, not two. Picture quality is BEAUTIFUL! The night scenes are actually not one big black blob!
  
  Just an update on the 2007 2-disc Special Edition of Meatballs, since Amazon is not providing any information and all the reviews on this page deal with the less than stellar previous dvd release. The 2007 Special Edition is digitally remastered in Widescreen 1.85:1 Color (Anamorphic). It is in 5.1 Dolby Digital Stereo [CC] and it features subtitles in English, Spanish and French.
  
  DVD Features:
  - Commentary with Director Ivan Reitman
  - "Summer Camp: The Making of Meatballs" Featurette
  
  Amazingly, no theatrical trailer is included. Also available in Blu-Ray.
  
  Technical Specs:
  - Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 - Digitally Re-mastered
  - Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
  
  
  

• Best Summer Camp Movie Ever

  
  By A1G0A5BJOYEIFP on 2003-04-29
  As a person who spent many of my summers at camp I found this movie to be excellent. It also doesn't hurt that this movie stars Bill Murray...one of my favorites. I've owned this movie on VHS for many years now and have watched it numerous times. I just bought the DVD and noticed that the actual song titled "Meatballs" (originally written and performed by Rick Dees) is different than it is on the VHS version. The DVD version is actually sung (or more like halfway spoken/rapped) by Bill Murray himself. There is also about ten seconds of footage added at the end of the cafeteria scene that isn't on the VHS. Not much, but to a fan of the movie it's kind of cool. I wish the DVD had more features on it (like deleted scenes), but none the less this is still probably the best camp movie you could ask for.
  
  

• Murray Shines

  
  By A1GN8UJIZLCA59 on 2001-01-17
  Meatballs is a comedy about a second rate summer camp that is made up of assorted losers, geeks and such. The movie concludes with an oympics against the rival camp that is a state of the art facility made up of rich and privileged kids. The movie brings out all the classic cliches, sex jokes and David vs. Goliath situations. The movie gets away with this due to its charm. The characters are all likeable and seem like real kids. This was Bill Murray's first movie and he shines in the film. He plays Tripper the head counselor at the camp and the movie's opening scene which has him addressing the camp counselors over the P.A. system is classic Murray. He more or less carries the movie and his just doesn't matter rant at the end of the film has become semi-famous. Meatballs isn't the finest moment of Mr. Murray's career, but it definitely shows he had the goods to be a major comedic film star.
  
  

• A Very Good Natured film

  
  By A1VVKTTKYHQD2W on 2000-04-04
  I remember summer camp very well, arriving there and hating it instantly,then as the days and weeks go by you get used to it and start to enjoy it. Meatballs is a perfect reflection of this, it's fun and Bill Murray never lets us down being the true comic genius, he talks to the campers on their level instead of talking down to them, he is basically a kid at heart himself. My favorite part was the summer olympics.Who can forget those at the end of camp? This movie never gets to out of hand, the scenes of competition are hilarious, the campers, though some are bratty, make a lot of people identify with them when they were young. I am not going to even acknowledge the following sequels they made to this film, Meatballs 2,3 and 4? Whatever, after the first one the rest became just a bunch of idiotic raunchy sophmoric teen flicks. If you want something a little more realistic and to just have a good time, this is the one worth watching.
  
  
• Perfectly BILL MURRAY!
  By A3HETHW2XD3DWH on 2000-02-23
  Meatballs is Bill Murray's best comedy next to Stripes. He is lovable and funny as Tripper and he plays the character of Head Counselor with such tender affection and humor that it makes you wish you had a guy just like him in your troop as a youngster! The music is fun and memorable (especially the last song, ARE YOU READY FOR THE SUMMER) and having spent three summers myself as a head camp counsellor, I can relate completely to the antics, jokes and competitions within this group of goofballs. I even played this tape at a sleepover at my camp once and it went over really well! Excellent comedy entertainment!
  
  
• Hey! It's 1979!!!
  By AYLPDW7CWJZKJ on 2005-08-19
  Are you ready for the summer!!! This movie is an all time classic with Bill Murray!! This is a movie you can watch over and over and never get sick and tired of!!! By the way, the other three so called sequels to Meatballs Sucks!!!
  
  
• #1 Meatballs fans
  By ACK35HVBDORWF on 2000-12-24
  Man, this dvd is awesome. What the hell are you talking about Leonard Maltin? We had a Meatballs club well past fifth grade. In fact, I've seen the VHS version an uncountable number of times. Once my friend and I watched the movie with no sound and were able to fill in all the voices and even some of the sound effects so I feel that I hold the same authority as my friend who doesn't even own a dvd player but he saw the dvd at my house. We believe that the dvd is true to the original film. The VHS version was altered without fan consent. Be grateful that we now have Ivan Reitman's unabridged vision. Meatballs is direct line into the happy part of the brain. Go buy the DVD and a player if you don't already own one. This movie alone justifies the purchase.
  
  
• Humor and compassion
  By A399A90PYENG4S on 2005-04-18
  Murray's interactions with the boy are so good that I used excerpts from the film for a final exam on basic counseling I taught at a graduate school - the students had to identify the techniques used by Tripper and suggest alternatives. This may be a far more educational portrayal of counseling than any of the wierd therapist-involved movies Hollywood has produced over the past decade.
  
  Beyond all that, this is a film of good-natured humor that has sympathy for its characters. Among the very best things that Bill Murray ever did.
  
  And where is Tripper today when we need him?
  
  
• Funny Movie
  By A3QTP2CI1BDV0M on 2005-07-26
  "Meatballs" is Bill Murray's movie. He makes it work. From beginning to end he gives us a non-stop stream of funny lines and crazy antics.
  
  I believe we're seeing him (Murray) at his peak here. He's not funny at all these days, but back in the 70s he was the funniest person in the entertainment industry, and in "Meatballs" he is at the top of his game. I would pick Bill Murray (at his peak) over Tom Hanks, Eddie Murphy, or Robin Williams.
  
  The story ... your basic summer camp situation ... is brought to life and made hilarious. Bill leads the way, but he does get some help. The supporting cast is actually pretty good. They were well chosen for their respective roles, and are believable and likable. Chris Makepeace,the "short depressed kid we ordered" is very effective as the sensative camper who is shunned by the other campers. Jack Blum, as Spaz, is excellent. I think the creation of the Spaz character is a stroke of movie genius, and Jack makes the part work ... making me wonder if maybe he is that way in real life. Kristine DeBell is very nice as the counselor A.L. ... very likable.
  
  Bill Murray handles the funny guy role (who is actually a caring guy) with ease. His scenes with Chris Makepeace are very real, very touching ... and, whether he wanted to or not, Bill gave quite a bit of depth to the Tripper character.
  
  The humor does, at times, cross over the line into questionable taste. For some reason though, when Bill Murray makes a dirty joke, we are not offended. It's as if we know he's only bluffing and is not really that way. Personally, I think his clean material is better than that stuff, but if we want Bill Murray, I guess we have to take the whole package ... and we get a wide variety of humor here.
  
  But the movie is funny and entertaining ... beginning to end. And it holds up well under repeated viewing.
  
  
  
  
  
• Meatballs Is My Favorite Bill Murray Movie!
  By on 2005-10-09
  I saw Meatballs on video tape when I was a little and I loved it, partly because I'm a big Saturday Night Live fan and I like Bill Murray but also because I thought it was a very funny movie that was cute, and yes parts of it were kind of lowbrow but it wasn't anything that was really bad. Bill Murray was hilarious and I also liked Morty played by Harvey Atkin and all the pratical jokes they played on him were quite funny and the burping contest between Bill Murray and Chris Makepeace was also funny! I had this on video and I would like to have this movie on DVD! This is my favorite Bill Murray movie!
  
  
• Spaz & Fink Rule!!!!!!!!
  By A3UT41TWD7N0D5 on 2002-11-17
  I can hardly call this a great film but it is entertaining. In my case I, at the time this film was released, was the same age as some of the junior campers in the film. For me watching this film brings back the memories of my camp years. While some of the pranks that takes place in this movie, like carrying the camp director out in his bed and leaving him on the side of a road, strung up in the trees or out on a lake, are a bit over the top some of the other pranks are not. When I went to camp the campers and counselors pulled similar stunts such as running underwear up the flag pole, canoe battles and boys raiding the girls cabin. As I grew older I realized these night raids to the girls cabin that I participated in were carefully orchestrated by the counselors so that we wouldn't find the girls in embarrassing situations but at the time I thought it was real and it was fun. That's what MEATBALLS (MB) is.

  MB captures not only the scenic beauty of camp surroundings but the beauty of being young and carefree. MB gives a great example of pre-teens, teens and young adults living their summer with no concerns other than guys hooking up with girls and girls hooking up with guys and booth having as much fun as they can before they head back to junior high & high school and college. The opening title song that goes "Are you ready for the summer?...no more homework no more books, no more teachers dirty looks..." describes exactly how summer is viewed by school kids.

  I personally enjoyed the two campers Spaz and Fink. What boy, nerd or jock, didn't spend all camp trying to cozy up to some pretty girl camper? What guy didn't want to be accepted by the other campers and counselors? While these two characters are somewhat over the top I bet everybody who watches the film can't help but to like these two guys. These two characters are a mix of Charlie Brown from PEANUTS and Jack Tripper & Larry Dallas from THREE'S COMPANY. I would bet that most viewers even cheer for Spaz in the egg carrying competition and for Fink as he attempts to "beat the stomach" in the hot dog eating contest.

  Lastly, this movie had normal looking kids and counselors. No super models for counselors or campers that wore trendy clothing. It is fun to just kick back and watch this film and remember when life was as fun as this movie.
  
  

• Where's Chris Makepeace now???
  By A1ZKPET0VDG25V on 2005-05-05
  I love this movie, and did when I first saw it as a kid. Upon repeated viewings, I miss actors like Chris Makepeace, along with the humanity that Bill Murray's character displays. Though this movie is funny, and fun to watch, what gets to me now is the vibe or the undercurrent of the film. It has a gentle quality (human) that you practically never see in movies of the last 20 years or so. Along with 'My Bodyguard', I think Chris Makepeace (nearly) created a type of character that came and went very quickly, just like his acting career, and yet, to those of us who remember him, left an indelible impression. Although it might sound stupid, nostalgic, and sentimental, I'm glad he (and 'Meatballs') did what he did, the way that he did it. As someone who got picked on a lot as kid, I KNOW just what his characters were feeling, and what it's like to have a Tripper-like father figure to watch out and protect you. For these reasons, this is my favorite Bill Murray movie, and definitely worth owning.
  
  
• Really Funny Movie
  By A2DSAMMY07LF9B on 2006-05-25
  This movie is such a comic classic and it's sad that it's been sort of forgotten. Where was the aniversary edition? If you can find a copy of this movie get it. Some of the music is different and that's a shame but if it's all we've got...
  
  p.s. I have such a crush on Bill Murray in this movie!!
  
  
• Murray is the one...
  By ATP9LYGM6D3RO on 2007-07-01
  Meatballs is the sincere story of a group of plucky, rebellious "Counselors in Training" (or CITs, as they are known) at Camp North Star who live and learn, and learn to live with each other and the Head Counselor known as "Tripper". Unfortunately for them, "Tripper" is played by Bill Murray in his first starring role and he dominates the picture from the get-go.
  
  For those who didn't grow up watching this film, it can be broken down into two equations;
  
  Murray = Funny
  No Murray = Not So Funny
  
  Murray is turned loose in several scenes, such as the campfire story, the "wrestling" with Roxanne, and most insanely the "It Just Doesn't Matter" speech. To the point were you can see other actors crack up when Murray takes off. He simply takes the reigns of the movie and makes it a classic.
  
  The CITs who are the "heart" of the film are a likable lot, though none of them really stands out. They spend little time with the kiddies it seems and lots of time horsing around, so it must be a great life they have.
  
  Chris Makepeace is a real find as he's sympathetic without a trace of cuteness, which I thought was impossible for any young actor who's name is not Ron Howard. He went on to star in "My Bodyguard".
  
  As for the "Special Edition" of the DVD itself, I was disappointed. The movie is presented in faux-widescreen, which is to say full screen with the top & bottom chopped off with a black band to give the illusion of widescreen. And the transfer itself is not half as good as the version I DVRed' on Showtime recently. And the audio commentary by director Ivan Reitman & screenwriter Daneil Goldberg is pretty bad when they go off-track and can't remember simple details. But the three documentary shorts are informative and well made. While I expected Bill Murray to pass, it was nice to see "Roxanne" (Kelly Lynch), "Spaz" (Jack Blum), "Fink" (Keith Knight), & "Rudy" (Chris Makepeace) talk about the film.
  
  I dock this classic one star for the poor presentation and another star for the faux-widescreen of the film. Given that, I expect the "30th Anniversary Edition" (no doubt set for 2009) to be superior in every way, too bad we have to wait a while for it.
  
  Tidbits:
  
  - The comic Chris Makepeace is reading when Tripper prepares for the overnight is the Marvel Two-In-One #50: Thing vs. Thing. I know, I used to own it.
  
  - I understand where the nickname "Hardware" comes from, but what about "Wheels"? And speaking of "Wheels", he's played by Todd Hoffman, the younger bother of Dustin Hoffman.
  
  - When Tripper burps out, "Oh, really...really" and puts his hand to his face, it's an homage to Jack Benny.
  
  - During the basketball game "Fink" takes a basketball to the back of his head and drops something which remains on the court. Can't be a cell phone, probably a candy bar.
  
  - Tripper & Roxanne singing in the canoe is taken straight from a scene in the Marx Brothers' "Horsefeathers", although the song they sing is different.
  
  - Other than the CITs, we see three male counselors, but where are the female counselors?
  
  
  
• CLASSIC!
  By on 2000-06-27
  Anyone who grew up in the eighties has to remember and love this film.

  Please don't listen to reviewers who call this movie sophmoric and cruel. It does have a little low-brow humor BUT for the most part the film is surprisingly kind-hearted and sentimental (a perfect way to remember childhood).

  Even if you don't purchase this movie, do yourself a favor and rent it. You won't be disappointed.

  Some classic lines:

  (what other movie has so many quotable lines?)

  "the kids wanted adventure so this year each camper will stalk and kill his own wild bear."

  "Spaz, Spaz, Spaz, Spaz, Spaz! "

  "You can change that record, but don't you change! Promise me! "

  "Wun you wascally wabbit! Wun! "

  "Come on Morty, make up your mind! "

  "IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER! IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER! "

  RUDY: "I'm going away." TRIPPER: "You goin to Vegas? Cause if you were going to Vegas I'd be up for it!"

  "Well, that's life in the slam-bang, live-on-the-razor's-edge, laugh-in-the-face-of-death world of junior league soccer!"

  "You make one good friend a summer, and you're doing okay."

  "Spaz! What are you a homo or what? "

  "THE EGG TOSS! Probably the most PUNISHING of all food-related sports"

  "Ya gotta WANT it, Larry! "

  "Come on, Fink, this is weenie WAR! "

  TRIPPER: "Roxanne, I have what doctors call very active glands. You're the only person I've told. My folks don't even know."

  ROXANNE: "Well, maybe you can have surgery without them knowing." TRIPPER: "Awwww, heck with surgery! LET'S WRESTLE! "

  "SHARK INFESTED WATERS! "

  "YOU, ON THE WATER SKIS! "
  
  

• Thank You Good Viewers
  By on 2000-10-23
  Thank you to everyone who wrote good reviews of Meatballs and looked past any so-called "sophmoric" humor, and realized that Meatballs is a very good feel-good movie. I am 28 years old and grew up on this movie. I only own a few movies, but this was one of the first ones I bought. I have watched it over and over since getting it, and I am happy to know that others feel sentimental about it like myself. True Meatballs fans don't acknowledge any other "Meatballs" movies (they made more than one?). This is a classic, despite what "professional" reviewers say. I just wish I could find the soundtrack to this great movie. Anyone have any ideas? "Lets say it was the Moondust..."
  
  
• The ultimate feel-good summer camp and late 1970's movie!
  By A2MS36FOKVBRZT on 2002-01-21
  'Meatballs' is one of my all-time favorite films. I can watch it repeatedly and never grow bored with or get tired of it. It works successfully on several different levels. It has some truly memorable funny moments, a lot of them. It also has some touching, moving and poignant ones, as well. Anyone who has ever been to summer camp, just camping or been a kid, will find much to identify with and relate to. I really don't understand why so many well-known film critics "reviewed" this warm and wonderful family film so harshly. I always feel good and upbeat when the film's end credits roll to a close, although I am always sorry and a little bit sad when it is over. Anyone who is looking for an entertaining, enjoyable and bright family film won't be disappointed. Anyone who loves summer and has wonderful memories of summers gone-by will enjoy 'Meatballs'. It is about having a good time, making friends, memories, being a kid, growing-up and saying goodbye. It is very realistic, especially for anyone who has ever had a wonderful time and been left with bittersweet memories of the day it all ends and you have to say goodbye to good friends. It is a real pity that the so-called sleazy and cheaply-made sequels chose to start off in the gutter and go downhill from there. Start and stay with this wonderful family comedy film and avoid the would-be and in name-only sequels. You won't be sorry. These later, cheap rip-offs didn't have Bill Murray or anything else that made this film so wonderful and most fortunately, none of them can possibly do anything to give this fine film a bad name or reputation. It has lasted and stood the test of time and stands sturdily on it's own merits and truly towers over any subsequent films that have very misleadingly used the name 'Meatballs' in their titles. Bill Murray has never been better or more natural. He must have had a great time making this film. The supporting cast of young and mostly unknown Canadian actors and actresses are bright, warm and appealing. Chris Makepeace really shines as 'Rudy', the lonely outcast befriended by 'Tripper Harrison' (Bill Murray}. The on-location filming at Camp White Pine in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada, really adds a lot of realism and believability to the film, as well. The management and staff of the summer camp reportedly were worried at the time of filming that Bill Murray would be a disruptive, corruptive and bad-influence on it's real-life campers! Do yourself a favor and don't miss seeing this truly great comedy. It will also evoke wonderful memories for anyone who grew up in the late 1970's, as I did. It is like making a wonderful trip to the past, one you won't want to see come to an end. See this wonderful film, you truly won't be sorry. It is still every bit as fresh, funny, entertaining and uplifting as the day it was first released. Please see 'Meatballs'. It might even make you long for being a kid, going to summer camp or just camping and growing-up again. I can guarantee that it will at least make you laugh and feel good. It is really a very special film. Please don't miss out on any opportunities to see it!
  
  
• Not the best, but a classic nonetheless
  By A2YWMAYL9J0PRV on 2002-04-12
  Bill Murray is basically this entire film. His character will make you laugh even if you are not a Bill Murray fan. He's as good as Caddyshack but with more screen time, but not as good as What About Bob.
  Yes, it's also got a string of other more minor characters and the lead is shared by Chris Makepiece, whom everyone thought would become a star. But apparently after Mazes and Monsters he dropped off the face of the Earth. Chris' character was a little whiney which makes it difficult to root for him, but the underdog and rompy atmosphere of the second rate camp gets you rooting for everyone else.
  With many oft quoted lines and several signature scenes such as Marty in a tree on his bed and Bill Murray leading the buses off on his motorbike, this is a must see movie. Personally, I put it on a must own list because I can watch it over and over, but some may not find the I'm a dufus but still get by humor as funny, therefore I give it a 4 out of 5.
  
  
• SOOOOOOOOOOO Funny!
  By on 2002-12-29
  You probably think this movie is stupid and that it is just about meatballs. NO WAY! I'm not going to give this movie away, but it is about a sleep away camp. Crazy, funny, and serious things happen in this movie. If you are thinking about getting this movie don't click anywhere but the buy button. Buy it!! You'll love it till you die! For all ages
  
  
• Miss movies like these
  By A2FDWH4W7Y151F on 2003-09-17
  These comedies are great. Great and fun humor. Yes, there was some toliet humor mixed in, but its so tame by today standards you don't even raise an eyebrow when you hear it. Bill Murray is one of my favorite comedians. When I was younger I saw this movie and then every movie after when I saw Murray I would say "Hey, its the guy from Meatballs." Even to this day I when I see him I remember Meatballs.

  I with this movie would get a better treatment with the DVD. Its one of the best comedies ever. Actually, its a family comedy that you can watch with any age group. The adults will get the minor sex jokes, and the teenagers will too, but enjoy the rest. Kids will enjoy the fun of Bill Murray father like figure to one of the kids.

  This is a must see comedy.
  
  

• The Strength of this movie is in the Characters.
  By A2NQUGGYM0DBM1 on 2005-02-14
  The combination of Bill Murray, Ivan Reitman, and Harold Ramis is well known among movie fans. "Ghostbusters", "Ghostbusters II", and "Stripes" are three well known movies among this combination that featured Murray's acting, Reitman's Directing, and Ramis' writing (as well as acting). However the movie that started it all for them was a low budget, but highly successful Canadian filmed comedy called "Meatballs". This movie basically tells the story of an Sleep-away Camp named Camp North Star and all of the hijinks involving both the Campers and the Counselors.
  
  There are two main plots involving the story of Camp North Star. The first involves the Head Counselor Tripper Harrison's (played by Bill Murray) relationship with a Camper by the name of Rudy Gerner (played by Chris Makepeace). Rudy is ostracized by several of the other campers and finds a friend in Tripper. The two will grow and learn from each other as the summer progresses. The other main plot involves Camp North Star's rivalry with a High Class Elite Camp named Camp Mohawk. These two plots will actually converge when the two Camps meet in a two day Olympiad Competition at the end of the movie.
  
  Revolving around the two main plots are several subplots, hijinks, pranks, and one liners. There are subplots that explore some of the romantic entanglements of the Counselors. The most interesting ones are: Tripper trying to rekindle a relationship with the Head Girls Counselor, Roxanne (played by Kate Lynch); A nerdy Camp Counselor named Spaz (played by Jack Blum) and a Female Jock named Jackie (played by Margot Pinvidic); Two blonde haired Counselors - Crockett (Played by Russ Banham and Candace (played by Sarah Torgov). There are also some interesting events that take place at the camp such as The Olympiad, An Overnight Campout by the Counselors, a Counselors Social a Basketball Camp with Camp Mohawk, and Parents Day. These events do a great job at helping to shape the movie.
  
  However the real strength of this movie is in the characters. These are characters that you can easily relate to. The Counselors almost seem like people you'd hang out with when you were in your late teens. I also think the theme of the "underdog" that is prevalent throughout the movie helps in the audience being able to relate to these characters. Bill Murray is really the only name movie star in this film. Another character who has been seen is Harvey Atkin. Atkin plays Morty, the beleaguered Camp Director, who is victim to multiple pranks and hijinks throughout the movie - providing for some of the funniest moments in "Meatballs". Most people will probably remember Atkin from the TV Series "Cagney and Lacey" in which he played Desk Sergeant Ronald Coleman. Besides Tripper and Morty, the other stars (who aren't well known names do a tremendous job at building their characters throughout the movie. The characters that stand out include:
  
  - Roxanne - the Headstrong Head Girls Counselor who is a great balance to the goofy Tripper
  - Spaz - a complete geek, but as he gets a chance with a relationship with Jackie - you can't help but root for him to succeed.
  - Larry a.k.a. "Fink" (played by Keith Knight) - the chubby Counselor who has some hilarious moments when his pants are run up the flagpole and when he beats "The Stomach" in the Olympiad Hot Dog Eating Contest;
  - Hardware (played by Matt Craven) - the Counselor who is a whiz at "handyman" stuff - who when hooking up an air conditioner knocks all of the electricity out of Camp North Star.
  - Rudy - The Kid who we all can relate to as. When Rudy runs the marathon in the last event of the big Olympiad, you can't help but root for him.
  Also worh mentioning are Crockett, Candace, Jackie, Phil, A.L., Wendy, and Wheels.
  
  The one liners are also a key to this film. There are plenty of times where you are going to want to stop the film and listen to the line again. Some of these highlights include:
  
  - "Hi Mickey!" - what everyone says to Morty whenever Morty introduces himself.
  - "An Air Conditioner just doesn't pick itself up and walk away" - Morty to Jackie and Tripper when he learns his air conditioner is missing.
  - "I thought you said you had it Meat Ball" - Fink to Spaz while they are playing doubles tennis against Jackie and another girl
  - "Spaz, You're on your Way" - Fink to Spaz after Spaz tells him he held Jackie's hand.
  - "It just doesn't matter!" - Tripper's rally cry at Morty's Olympiad rally.
  - "Spaz! Spaz! Spaz!" - What the North Star teams says to Spaz as he is in the Olympiad Stacking Contest.
  - "Come on Morty! Make up your Mind" - Tripper to Morty when they are trying to decide whether Rudy should run the marathon.
  
  The music is fun in this movie. Three great songs include David Naughton's "Makin' It", the Opening Song "Are You Ready for the Summer?", and Rick Dees' title song "Meatballs". They all fit in perfectly to the film.
  
  Finally, the hijinks are also key to this movie. Some of these highlights include:
  - "Operation Late Night Excitement" - on Morty!
  - The hijaking of Morty's Air Conditioner
  - The final play at the Camp Mohawk Basketball game
  - Spaz and Fink eavesdropping under the Female Counselor's Cabin
  
  I do think all of these factors added up to a real enjoyable film. Even 25 years later, I still enjoy this film as much as when it was in the theaters. There were several sequels that were made to this movie. I would call these sequels "loose sequels" at best. None capture any of the charm that made this movie up. One should note is there is some foul language and sexual references. But ultimately this is a very funny movie - highly recommended.
  
  
• Are you ready for the summer?
  By A20HIDRW118WAL on 2000-07-26
  Great summer camp 80's flick.

  Bill Murray in a great role. (2nd only to Caddyshack)

  Bill Murray is a pure laugh riot in Meat balls.

  Add it to your collection now!

  Nipsey Gives Meatballs 2 THUMBS UP and Camp Mowhawk 2 thumbs down!
  
  

• A Classic - Even if you've never been to Summer Camp.
  By on 1999-06-09
  Meatballs! If you've ever been to summer camp as a kid/counsellor during the late 70's or early 80's then you'll laugh at the silly jokes, Murray's 1-liners, and the overall slapstick abound. Feed off the outtakes of the character "Spaz". No-one can beat Spaz - from the very 1st time you're introduced to him, to his trimuph at the Olympiad at the end of movie - you will love this guy. Pay particular attention to him in the background during the "Big Social" scene - what a great creation! DO NOT waste your money on ANY sequel!
  
  
• Forget the critics on this one!
  By on 2001-02-15
  I loved this movie when it came out because it -- what other word can I use here? -- re-activated so many of the feelings I'd had as a camper and then counselor myself in Maine. It was a great time in my life. I'm buying it again, this time for our daughters, aged 10 and 7. I'm going to watch it with them!!
  
  
• Profound, Moving
  By on 2001-11-16
  This 70's classic remains the masterpiece of Bill Murray's noteworthy career. Murray's years of training in the Suzuki method of acting is plainly evident as he tackles the challenging role of camp counselor. You'll laugh, you'll cry. You'll cheer on the campers as they navigate the tricky shoals of adolescence. This movie is an extraordinary achievement is American theater.
  
  
• Mildly entertaining
  By A1VHK9A4VLJTHC on 2001-11-18
  An entertaining coming of age comedy, but not one of Murrays better movies and not one that I am anxious to see over again unlike the bulk of Murray films. After this film, Chaddyshack and Stripes, Bill Murray started his real climb into superstardom and this offering is recommended to hard core Murray fans and others that enjoy silly teenage summer movies.
  
  
• Hardwares air conditioner
  By A1LQPMX21BS6N8 on 2002-03-15
  "You animal, what are you doing" "Hooking up our new air conditioner!" "An air conditioner, where'd you get it!" "Morty's office! He loves the heat!" "Are you guys, ready! Are you guys ready!" "Okay, in five seconds, I'm talking five, we are gonna have the coolest cabin in the camp! O.K. 5......4......3.....2.....1do it! Craaaaaaaaaaaaaaash!............................"Hardware." "Ya, crocket." "Your a prick!"---------------------------
  
  
• Classic Murray
  By A1LLMWTMZXSOWW on 2004-07-19
  I think there are two types of people in the world -- those who get Bill Murray and those who don't. For those of us who intrinsically get him, he simply has no peer when it comes to pulling off the kinds of comedic characters that he portrays. It's not so much about what he does, but who he is and how he presents the character that matters. As the head camp counselor "Tripper", Murray is funny but he is also so much more than funny: He gives the movie it's heart and humanity, without which, it would be nothing more than a series of sophomoric pranks. In my opinion, that is why this movie works when all of the others in the series are deplorable.

  To be sure, this is one of the definitive "summer camp" movies of all time; just as Caddyshack is one of the greatest golf movies ever made. But for those who somehow just don't get Murray, there is little that can be said that will convince them to like either movie. Even with as much commercial success as he has had, I believe his comic genius is still way underrated. I have given this movie four stars because I reserve five star ratings exclussively for movies which I believe are exceptional, and because the transfer of this movie to DVD should have been handled with greater care. Otherwise, it's a solid movie with plenty of laughs and some tender moments as well.
  
  

• Meatballs (1979)
  By AEFRJ6ZBKGZV2 on 2005-11-26
  Meatballs is a summer camp movie. Bill Murray stars as the wacky camp counsler Tripper. Bill Murray is much of what makes this movie as good as it was. Murray displays his trademark wacky sense of humor here, providing most of the laughs.
  
  
  
  

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