31 reviews
Not really bad, just sort of pointless
To call this movie a sequel to MEATBALLS is stretching the word "sequel" to a ridiculous degree. Other than the fact that both movies take place at summer camps (not even the same one), there is no connection between the two. It's the usual 80's cable TV time filler, with a dumb script, mechanical direction and mostly one-note performances.
The only laughs are supplied by such great comic actors as Richard Mulligan, Paul Reubens (aka Pee-Wee Herman), John Larroquette and Hamilton Camp. A subplot which parodies E.T. also managed to make me chuckle a few times.
The only other point of interest is seeing a twenty-year old Kim Richards in the lead female role. The little tomboy from ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN and NO DEPOSIT, NO RETURN had grown into quite a hottie by 1984. Unfortunately, she leaves her clothes on.
If this comes on TV, it's not worth switching the channel. You'll probably laugh a few times, plus you can get up and go to the bathroom and not miss anything. At any rate, it's better than MEATBALLS PART III or (gag) IV.
The only laughs are supplied by such great comic actors as Richard Mulligan, Paul Reubens (aka Pee-Wee Herman), John Larroquette and Hamilton Camp. A subplot which parodies E.T. also managed to make me chuckle a few times.
The only other point of interest is seeing a twenty-year old Kim Richards in the lead female role. The little tomboy from ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN and NO DEPOSIT, NO RETURN had grown into quite a hottie by 1984. Unfortunately, she leaves her clothes on.
If this comes on TV, it's not worth switching the channel. You'll probably laugh a few times, plus you can get up and go to the bathroom and not miss anything. At any rate, it's better than MEATBALLS PART III or (gag) IV.
- squeezebox
- Sep 19, 2005
- Permalink
Its bad that even as a kid this one made me groan.
"I have an idea" someone said, "lets make a sequel to Meatballs and have it be completely moronic and groan inducing!". After the movie was made and released the person said "dude, I was making a joke". And so Meatballs 2 was made and while it is in fact about a summer camp and more of a sequel to the original than the third one is, I still think this one is the worst of the bunch. Granted a few jokes make me chuckle which is why I nicely gave this movie a three rather than a one or two. The plot? Why bother, it involves some dude who does not want to be a counselor, an alien, and a brawl for it all boxing match between two summer camps, one regular and a military type one. That is the gist of it, and if you are wondering, yes the alien is friendly and probably inserted thanks to the success of E.T. two years prior. Bill Murray is not in this movie and can you blame him, while they made this movie he was making Ghostbusters. Instead they got Richard Mulligan, who I like in some roles, not this one. They also begin easing this series of movies into more of a teen sex series, but only lightly in this one.
Sex comedy with no sex
Okay, so this movie isn't great but its a good way to waste a rainy summer day. That's how I ended up seeing it. To be truthful, I thought there would be a lot more nudity and sex. The box for the movie shows a shower scene that isn't in the movie. The box also features a picture of the busty Fanny, played by Misty Rowe. That was the most interesting story line: Two horny Councelors trying to get it on. It was only later on that I found out that Misty Rowe isn't nearly as top heavy as Fanny. Well, I'll always have Meatballs Part II to keep the dream alive. There was a lot of potential, but instead we had aliens and a stupid boxing match. Good lines, and okay women. It's worth a look.
- mitchorenstien
- Mar 28, 2006
- Permalink
Camped out...
The first "Meatballs" had Bill Murray, Chris Makepeace, a lot of laughs and no alien subplot.
"Meatballs II" has Richard Mulligan, Paul (Pee-Wee Herman) Ruebens, Hamilton Camp, Archie Hahn, John Larroquette, a few laughs and an alien subplot.
By the time "Meatballs II" came out, there had already been so many ripoffs of "Meatballs" that this just paled liberally by comparison (TIDBIT - this in fact was a "Meatballs" ripoff originally, until the rights were grabbed up and it was released instead as "Meatballs II". Who says there aren't any new ideas in Hollywood?).
In spite of the mountain of talent in "Meatballs II", there is little in the way of actual humor. Instead, you have a hyperventilating Richard Mulligan, an off-center Paul Reubens playing in Pee-Wee mode, a screaming Hamilton Camp, a horny Archie Hahn, a lisping John Laroquette, and your usual plethora of horny teens, junior class military cadets, brain-dead boxers, and pot-smoking aliens who ask why camp counselors are such dorks.
There's the major laughs; do with them what you will. And whatever you do with these laughs, it's more than what "Meatballs II" could ever do with them.
Two and a half stars. Maybe there's just something about Pee-Wee Herman. Or John Larroquette. Or Richard Mulligan....
"Meatballs II" has Richard Mulligan, Paul (Pee-Wee Herman) Ruebens, Hamilton Camp, Archie Hahn, John Larroquette, a few laughs and an alien subplot.
By the time "Meatballs II" came out, there had already been so many ripoffs of "Meatballs" that this just paled liberally by comparison (TIDBIT - this in fact was a "Meatballs" ripoff originally, until the rights were grabbed up and it was released instead as "Meatballs II". Who says there aren't any new ideas in Hollywood?).
In spite of the mountain of talent in "Meatballs II", there is little in the way of actual humor. Instead, you have a hyperventilating Richard Mulligan, an off-center Paul Reubens playing in Pee-Wee mode, a screaming Hamilton Camp, a horny Archie Hahn, a lisping John Laroquette, and your usual plethora of horny teens, junior class military cadets, brain-dead boxers, and pot-smoking aliens who ask why camp counselors are such dorks.
There's the major laughs; do with them what you will. And whatever you do with these laughs, it's more than what "Meatballs II" could ever do with them.
Two and a half stars. Maybe there's just something about Pee-Wee Herman. Or John Larroquette. Or Richard Mulligan....
Revenge of the 80's: The sequel!
Meatballs Part II (1984) is a major step down from the first film. Once again, whenever a film is a major (or a minor) success they always made a sequel during the eighties. This one is a mediocre effort, not only from the director but the entire cast. Not an unwatchable film but if you're expecting something like the first film you'll be mightily disappointed. If you like weak teenage "sex" comedies this might tide you over.
The film concerns the camp site from the first film. Their very existent is being threatened by a local junior boot camp. The two camps have an annual boxing match to settle their differences and in the spirit of competition. But this time the stakes are high, the commander of the camp has made a deal with the rightful owners of the land. This time the boxing match means much more than simple bragging rights. The usual suspects can be found in this film. Such eighties stars such as Kim Richards, Richard Mulligan, Paul Reubens, Jason Hervey and John Larroqutte. Be on the look out for a Jewish space alien!
I wouldn't recommend this movie unless you're a huge fan of the Meatball film series.
The film concerns the camp site from the first film. Their very existent is being threatened by a local junior boot camp. The two camps have an annual boxing match to settle their differences and in the spirit of competition. But this time the stakes are high, the commander of the camp has made a deal with the rightful owners of the land. This time the boxing match means much more than simple bragging rights. The usual suspects can be found in this film. Such eighties stars such as Kim Richards, Richard Mulligan, Paul Reubens, Jason Hervey and John Larroqutte. Be on the look out for a Jewish space alien!
I wouldn't recommend this movie unless you're a huge fan of the Meatball film series.
- Captain_Couth
- Feb 4, 2005
- Permalink
A disgrace to the Meatballs name
I was working at an actual summer camp the Summer this piece of crap was released. It was my sixth year at camp, as camper and counselor, and a big bunch of us (counselors) went on a day off to see it, with huge expectations. Needless to say, this 'film' has absolutely nothing to do with the mighty original. Rent the DVD of the original and watch the 'making of' part. It's a third as long and a hundred times better than this "sequel". I give it 2/10 only because there might be enough weed on Earth to make this vaguely amusing. Assuming you're watching it on a TV with only one channel.
IMDb demands ten lines of text to post a comment, so I guess they are intimately involved with the cretins that thought this was a viable movie. Actually, I'm sure they made money on it due to a budget of twelve dollars. The film was shot with a MONO soundtrack? Yeah, that's the way to save a couple grand! If only it had gone straight to VHS - I'd have saved my $3.75 back in 1984.
IMDb demands ten lines of text to post a comment, so I guess they are intimately involved with the cretins that thought this was a viable movie. Actually, I'm sure they made money on it due to a budget of twelve dollars. The film was shot with a MONO soundtrack? Yeah, that's the way to save a couple grand! If only it had gone straight to VHS - I'd have saved my $3.75 back in 1984.
- scott_loves_food
- Dec 3, 2008
- Permalink
if you're into silliness...
If you laugh at this flick will all depend on how silly you're willing to let a film stretch. There are several practical jokes, mishaps in the woods and kids who operate like they're in their mid 20's (like Hervey's candy bar dealer). The cast is huge, but as one IMDBer said, Kim Richards is a big standout because shes absolutely GORGEOUS! But everyone else does a nice job, too. Mulligan is friendly enough, Mengatti's a good badass, Nepote a great dope boxer and I loved the alien. His voice was cute and his antics interesting enough. The most versatile part went to Paul "Pee-Wee Herman" Ruebens who serves four different capacities in the film as a bus driver, a disc jockey, some sort of Hare Krishna and in the end a referee. I actually enjoyed this more than the first film, simply because this one had more going on in its ninety minutes. And when each summer rolls around I cant help but do the lyrics to the great theme song of the film. But just like in the first movie, it all comes down to if you think over the top silly is funny enough for you.
Possibly the worst movie I've ever watched (edit: 2nd worse now that I've watched Going Overboard)
This is the one with the alien and the boxing match
- jessegehrig
- Jun 24, 2014
- Permalink
An alien
- BandSAboutMovies
- Jun 9, 2021
- Permalink
Not a classic in the making, but still better than part I...
Granted, after having sat through the 1979 "Meatballs" movie, then I didn't really have much of any expectations or hopes for the 1984 sequel "Meatballs Part II", but still, I did sit down to watch it.
Actually, and oddly enough, then I was actually more entertained with this 1984 sequel than I was with the 1979 original "Meatballs" movie. Yeah, odd, I know, right?
The storyline in this 1984 movie seemed more coherent and structured, whereas the storyline in the first movie seemed chaotic and made up as the director went along. So this coherency in this 1984 movie definitely added to the overall enjoyment of the movie.
However, this still wasn't a movie that really made me laugh, it got a few smiles here and there, but not making me laugh. Which was disappointed, especially since this is a comedy. And that fact makes me not want to return to watch "Meatballs Part II" a second time around.
The alien creature in the movie was actually some of the best parts of the entire movie, because it was so cheesy and campy.
The acting in the movie was adequate, taking into consideration the type of movie this is and the script presented to the actors and actresses. It was, however, a nice treat to see the likes of Richard Mulligan, John Larroquette and Paul Reubens in a movie such as this.
My rating of "Meatballs Part II" is a mere four out of ten stars.
Actually, and oddly enough, then I was actually more entertained with this 1984 sequel than I was with the 1979 original "Meatballs" movie. Yeah, odd, I know, right?
The storyline in this 1984 movie seemed more coherent and structured, whereas the storyline in the first movie seemed chaotic and made up as the director went along. So this coherency in this 1984 movie definitely added to the overall enjoyment of the movie.
However, this still wasn't a movie that really made me laugh, it got a few smiles here and there, but not making me laugh. Which was disappointed, especially since this is a comedy. And that fact makes me not want to return to watch "Meatballs Part II" a second time around.
The alien creature in the movie was actually some of the best parts of the entire movie, because it was so cheesy and campy.
The acting in the movie was adequate, taking into consideration the type of movie this is and the script presented to the actors and actresses. It was, however, a nice treat to see the likes of Richard Mulligan, John Larroquette and Paul Reubens in a movie such as this.
My rating of "Meatballs Part II" is a mere four out of ten stars.
- paul_haakonsen
- Sep 17, 2019
- Permalink
Classic 80s vhs rental
IF YOU GREW UP IN THE 80S, NOT BORN IN THE 80S, YOU HAVE TO LOVE THIS MOVIE. PEE WEE AS A BUS DRIVER, THE ALIEN, THE DRUG USE, IT IS A CULT CLASSIC! PERIOD!!
A sequel that equals a learning lesson.
I admit I have a biased feeling towards this movie. At the time I saw I was infatuated by Kim Richards. In this movie she is the one that makes the bet that she will see male nudity before the end of summer camp. And she is the one that goes after the rebel boy. One of the few movies that shows that women can be the leaders in romance. The alien subplot was weak, and filled mostly fart jokes, and special effects.
Well it was from the 80's after all
Kim Richards is HOT! so I mean its worth getting out if your a guy just for her. The Alien is cute and you get a few laughs. The two heads of camp are very annoying and everything goes quite slow. Go rent it out if your bored theres worse movies out there.
- tigerwarsaw
- Feb 8, 2002
- Permalink
watch it with a 1984 outlook...
Remember when we used to be satisfied to go the movies and watch bad actors from sitcoms strut around cheap sets and make dumb jokes? Well, if you were born anytime after 1980, you probably don't remember seeing any cheesy 80s flicks in their original context. Meatballs II doesn't claim to be anything other than one of these "campy" movies, so view it with a good attitude and watch to see what actors you recognize. I recently watched this movie for the first time in the 21st century (probably skipping all of the 90s) and, being a good ten years older and wiser, saw it as the bunch of foolishness it really is. However, it's an essential 80s flick full of outdated costumes and corny exercise music. I still have yet to hear anyone use the expression "pinky" in this context. The opening scene still has me rolling on the floor.
- delft_blue
- Jun 13, 2003
- Permalink
- Bill Murray + space alien
It's another summer at Camp Sasquash run by Coach Giddy (Richard Mulligan). Col. Bat Jack Hershey who runs the opposing Camp Patton threatens to buy up Sasquash. Flash Carducci is forced to be counselor-in-training as community service. He's a rebel and doesn't care about camp. Boomer is the idiot counselor. The female counselors aim to show virginal Cheryl a penis. The little campers encounter a space alien left by his parents to attend camp. They hide him calling him Meatball.
The original has Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis, and Bill Murray. This one has a space alien. It's so stupid that it's weirdly intriguing. Even with the shocking alien addition, this fades into something bland. The comedy is never there. The actors are not funny although there are a couple of recognizable faces like Paul Reubens. It is not interesting enough to be camp.
The original has Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis, and Bill Murray. This one has a space alien. It's so stupid that it's weirdly intriguing. Even with the shocking alien addition, this fades into something bland. The comedy is never there. The actors are not funny although there are a couple of recognizable faces like Paul Reubens. It is not interesting enough to be camp.
- SnoopyStyle
- Sep 20, 2016
- Permalink
Average if pointless sequel
A Rather Mundane Meatball
This film essentially begins with a bus full of young people being driven to Camp Sasquatch where they will spend their summer. On the way there the bus is pulled over by the police and a young man with an attitude by the name of "Armand 'Flash' Carducci" (John Mengatti) is taken out of the police car and handed over to one of the summer camp counselors named "Jamie" (Archie Hahn) to be transported to the camp. It's during this time--and several times afterward--that he makes it clear that he has no interest in anybody but himself. It's also during this time that he sets his sights on a beautiful teenager named "Cheryl" (Kim Richards) who he becomes determined to meet. Likewise, Jamie is equally obsessed with one of the other counselors named "Fanny" (Misty Rowe) and does everything he can to find a quite spot for them to make out. Meanwhile, the head counselor, "Giddy" (Richard Mulligan) is doing everything he can to prevent a rival military type of summer camp led by "Colonel Bat Jack Hershey" (Hamilton Camp) from taking complete possession of the lake. Added into the mix is an alien from outer space named "Meathead" (played by Felix Silla) who the kids at camp take in and try to hide his presence from everyone. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a rather weak sequel to its commercially successful predecessor. To that extent, the plot is extremely predictable and to make matters worse there really isn't that much humor either. Admittedly, it had a couple of up-and-coming actors like John Larroquette (as "Lt. Felix Foxglove") and Paul Ruebens (as the bus driver "Albert") along with a couple of attractive ladies in both Kim Richards and Misty Rowe. Unfortunately, none of them could really do much to improve this rather mundane sequel and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly below average.
He's not a dork. He's Italian.
- mark.waltz
- Jul 11, 2024
- Permalink
Another boring comedy movie
This a very bad movie. It is not worst then the first Meatballs movie. But it not good. This not really a sequel to Meatball because as for has plot and characters go. This has nothing to do with the original Meatballs. It is not funny. The story line is awful. Do not see this movie. This movie is a wast of time. It is also a wast of money. I give it 4 out of 10. Because it is really boring. Good actors wasted there talent being in this awful movie. I can believe that the same people who wrote a great movie like Friday the 13th III wrote this awful movie. There also wrote Friday the 13th the final chapter. So they have made movie a lot better then this crap. Do not see this movie. It is not funny.
- jacobjohntaylor1
- Aug 14, 2016
- Permalink
Not really a sequel. Not really worth watching, either.
I loved the original movie - Bill Murray was fantastic, Chris Makepeace did a great job in his first big role, and the rest of the cast were hilariously wacky. Then this movie came out. I tried to enjoy it; I really did... but it's not a sequel. It's a different camp, run by different people, with different kids. They could at least have brought SOMEBODY back (having Spaz as an assistant for instance). The jokes are flat, the plot is awful, and there is none of the chemistry that made the first movie the gem that it is. Even Richard Mulligan, who was outstanding as Bert Campbell in Soap, couldn't save this. He's the only reason it gets two stars instead of one, but the material he had to work with was so lousy, it's a forgettable item on his otherwise stellar resume. Don't watch it, even if you want to watch it just to say you saw it, because you probably won't watch the whole thing. I couldn't.
It's got a stoner alien... that's about it.
- RottenPop-Sid
- May 18, 2024
- Permalink
A movie sequel with future performers
The first "Meatballs" film has Bill Murray. This movie has more star power. Still has the raunchiness. But it has more twists than the first. An alien camper. A military rival camp. And a boxing competition. Hilarious results for this one.
With stars like Richard Mulligan, John Laroquette,and Paul Reubens(PeeWee Herman). That's star power!
Yes, this one is funnier than the first. And it's got a alien camper that no one else sees but the young campers does. And it got sex appeal to it.
This sequel is worth the effort. A little more fusion in this one. You can say that it is out of this world!
5 stars.
With stars like Richard Mulligan, John Laroquette,and Paul Reubens(PeeWee Herman). That's star power!
Yes, this one is funnier than the first. And it's got a alien camper that no one else sees but the young campers does. And it got sex appeal to it.
This sequel is worth the effort. A little more fusion in this one. You can say that it is out of this world!
5 stars.
- GOWBTW-5STARreviewer
- Jul 4, 2023
- Permalink
Not that bad!!!!
I don't know why this film gets so much bad comments. Yes, it's not MEATBALLS! But it's still a fun watch if you're a camp person. Are you having fun for 2 hours? Yes!!! Does it star Bill Murray? No...
- hollyworld-07632
- Dec 23, 2020
- Permalink
A worthy sequel (minor spoilers)
- jellyneckr
- Jul 5, 2004
- Permalink