Bill Murray is charming, but he's too good at playing a sex weirdo.
Hopefully, nothing comes of this (click to find out).So, this was basically 'Animal House', but in a summer camp (both had a Harold Ramis writing credit). While 'Meatballs' isn't as morally objectionable as the previous, it still maintains some of the same issues I had with it, but I feel there are more likable characters (by that, I mean like two; kinda).
This is one of those meandering hangout movies that have been done well before with movies like 'Empire Records' or 'Dazed and Confused', but there are small victories to be had there, and they felt they were building to something with consequences that have a real presence throughout their runtimes.
There is a rivalry...sometimes, but it's not quite important, nor does it maintain any major consequences that affect the story. Most of the characters are very unlikable, and I couldn't care about their dynamics. What makes this movie stand out from 'Animal House' is the endearingly touching friendship between Tripper and Rudy.
Bill Murray is the John Belushi of this movie, in that he's easily the best part about it. He has a level of charm that makes him watchable, but unfortunately, the movie is also about other, less charismatic characters.
There is also some truly out-of-place moments that made this movie age like milk. Many of these involve the weird sexualization of underage girls by older men (yes, one of my favorite movies is Happiness. There is a way to do this, and this ain't it). The wrestling scene is also truly hard to watch.
It's not the worst thing ever, but this will leave my mind in a short amount of time.
