In my new book ’80s Teen Flick Festival Deep Cuts, we run Meatballs 3 Summer Job as part of Patrick Dempsey Day with the joke that people don’t remember Meatballs 2. There’s also a description of Meatballs 4 (which came out in 1992 so it wouldn’t be shown at the festival). The original Meatballs was beloved back in 1979 with the Chris Makepeace (My Bodyguard) hanging out with cool camp counsellor Bill Murray (Stripes). The sequels aren’t really sequels. Meatballs 2 was a different film, but they licensed the name to get it more attention. Meatballs 3 claims Dempsey is playing Makepeace’s character, but he isn’t. There’s no camp although he’s counseled by the ghost of an X-rated film star. Meatballs 4 was originally a film called Happy Campers, but the producer licensed Meatballs name to make us think this is a sequel. The best way to appreciate the film is to not expect Bill Murray to show up with the bug juice. You’re gonna get a Lost Boy and the guy from Eraserhead instead.
The season has just opened for Lakeside Water Ski Camp. But the glory years have come to a bit of a halt as less kids are signing up for the aquatic fun. However owner Neil Peterson (Twin Peaks‘ Jack Nance) thinks he know how he can make things happening once more. Ricky Wade (The Lost Boys‘ Corey Feldman) gets brought in as the new recreation director. He had just quit Twin Oaks and wanted a new adventure. He double Twin Oaks enrollment numbers so Neil knows this extrovert party animal is worth it. A few counsellors have issues with him from his last time there and departure. His arrival is memorable as Ricky makes an airborne arrival on the water. Ricky brings the high energy and outrageous nature to the place. The water sports get more extreme and Ricky even brings out the shotgun to shoot skeet over the water. Turns out Monica Davis (Superman II‘s Sarah Douglase) of Twin Oaks wants to take over the camp because the place has zoning to be more than a summer camp. But Neil Peterson has zero desire to sell out. He knows that camp is going to rebound. Although part of the plan involves them beating Twin Oaks in the water ski competition.
Meatballs 4 has its goofy charms for an early ’90s summer camp flick. It should be noted that all the campers look like they’ve at least graduated from a 2-year community college. Although they act like libido driven high schoolers. The boys peep into the girls’ shower room and get an eyeful. One of the campers is Christy Thom, who posed a lot for Playboy magazine. Corey Feldman is wonderfully over the top as the hot shot water ski instructor. The best moment is when he shows off his Michael Jackson dance moves on a clone-rock version of “Black And White.” There’s also a great Goonies joke. Jack Nance gets to play a more comedic role that his numerous David Lynch characters. He does bring a bit of emotion when he tells his granddaughter how he is saving the camp so she can take over in the future. He wants this land in the family. He also enjoys staring at the campers in their bikinis. Sarah Douglas works up the evil of the rival.
If you’re expecting a Meatballs sequel, you’re not going to get it. If you want a outrageous ’90s summer camp movie, you’ll be ready for the 90 minute vacation. Meatballs 4 is the goofy R-Rated film you wanted to find on late night cable back in the ’90s. There’s a semi-recognizable cast, a bit of showering, goofy action and a lot of unsophisticated humor. Director Bob Logan keeps the film at a fine pace, so you don’t get bored. Meatballs 4 is a fun delight as summer approaches.
Meatballs 4 (Special Edition) is exclusive to the MVD Shop / Oldies.com / RoninFlix.com. (We’ve linked to the MVD Shop.
The Video is 1.85:1 anamorphic. The colors on Corey Feldman’s Body Glove wetsuit pop. The Audio is LPCM 2.0 Stereo. You’ll hear the guitar/synth soundtrack jumping on the water action. The movie is subtitled in English.
Interview with Bobby Logan writer/director (55:01) has him explain his career started writing jokes for Rodney Dangerfield in 1980. He did stand up and his name is at the Comedy Store. He later wrote for Garry Shandling. He was punching up comedy film scripts. He became a director because other directors were screwing up his jokes. His first big project was Life In the… Bowling Lane!! with the Unknown Comic (Murray Langston) from The Gong Show and Skip Stevenson from Real People. He did another film with Murray and Linda Blair (The Exorcist) called Up Your Alley. The film cost $80,000 and made $3.5 million. He did How To Get Revenge and Repossessed with Linda Blair too. He tells how he landed Leslie Nielsen (Police Squad) with a secret gesture on Saturday Night Live. He got offered a summer camp film with a script or star. It wasn’t Meatballs at first. Happy Campers was turned into Meatballs 4 halfway through the shoot. He wasn’t happy. He did have to have topless action so the cast was older. He gets into how Corey Feldman was cast as the lead. We learn that Jack Nance was cast because Bob Logan liked David Lynch movies. He picked his name off a list. He like Jack’s quirkiness behind his eyes.
Trailer (1:34) is from Moviestore Entertainment. We’re told that this about water skiing and Corey Feldman.
Mini-Poster of the cover that’s suitable for framing.
MVD Rewind Collection presents Meatballs 4: Special Edition. Directed by Bob Logan. Screenplay by Bob Logan. Starring Corey Feldman, Jack Nance, Sarah Douglas, Brad Grunberg, J. Trevor Edmond, Paige French, John Mendoza, Bentley Mitchum, Deborah Tucker, Frank Walton & Cristy Thom. Running Time: 90 minutes. Rating: Rated R. Release Date: April 10, 2026.
