Along with the set pieces of comic disaster there’s also a touching (sort of) subplot as Tripper brings the shy boy Rudy (Chris Makepeace) out of his shell and makes him realise his true worth.

| Nov 18, 2022

...while Meatballs is not a very good movie, you still kind of wish you could have gone to Camp North Star as a camper.

| Mar 31, 2020

Amusing in an antiquated way? Perhaps. But funny? No.

| Original Score: 5/10 | Feb 2, 2020

If one or two fall flat, so what. The next probably will hit your funnybone.

| Sep 20, 2019

I can't really say Meatballs is a great film, it's a silly, stupid summer movie, and sometimes, that's exactly what you need.

| Aug 22, 2017

For those of you that are big fans of the cult comedy hit Wet Hot American Summer, Meatballs is the summer camp movie it parodied the most, even though Meatballs had a bigger heart and was strictly PG.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Sep 4, 2012

It's Murray's spontaneity that gives the movie its lifeblood. But Murray also shows an early, rare example of onscreen tenderness.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 20, 2012

The scenes between Murray and Makepeace are nicely handled, and the lack of mean-spiritedness is refreshing.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jul 13, 2012

A bit slow and meandering, and unfunny when Bill Murray is not on screen, but Meatballs is worth it for the camp atmosphere and Murray's comic genius.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Jun 11, 2012

Through it all, Murray smiles and forges ahead, but his big riffs have been edited down to frantic bursts of mugging.

| Oct 5, 2008

It doesn't get any funnier than Meatballs!

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 19, 2008

As easy to handle as drinking lemonade under a shady tree.

| Original Score: B- | Jul 29, 2007

Bill Murray is the only reason to see this film. His high energy and sensitive acting abilities take this cliche film out of the ordinary and give it the style that did not appear in the script or the direction.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Jul 24, 2007

It's difficult to come up with a more cliche situation for a summer pic than a summer camp, where all the characters and plot turns are readily imaginable. That makes director Ivan Reitman's accomplishment all the more noteworthy.

| Jul 24, 2007

...ultimately just not able to live up to its inexplicable reputation as a minor cult classic.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jun 23, 2007

Murray has been funnier and far more authoritative during his career, but he was never this joyfully floppy again. Meatballs is the crowning of his doofus glory and a great testament to his once improvisational appeal.

| Original Score: B+ | Jun 4, 2007

you don't mind the lack of structure, especially since it's delivered by a good-natured and good-humored young cast

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 14, 2007

Camp counsellor Tripper (Murray) is a John Belushi clone whose 'charisma' dominates the film's standard wackiness and sentimental story (of a kid who doesn't fit).

| Jun 24, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 9, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 15, 2005