Reviews & Ratings for
Heavy Weights More at IMDbPro »

Filter:

Best Chronological Prolific Authors Loved It Hated It Hide Spoilers:

Page 1 of 6:

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Index

59 reviews in total

---

36 out of 53 people found the following review useful:
An unparalleled cinematic masterpiece, 13 April 2006

Author: niftyjim from United States

Continuing in the tradition of classic films such as 'The Godfather' and 'Apocalypse Now', director Steven Brill has added his name to the short list of truly great directors with his sweeping masterpiece 'Heavy Weights'. In arguably his finest performance to date, Aaron Schwartz plays Jerry Garner, a young man who is forced to attend a summer camp against his will. Upon arriving at the camp, Jerry is befriended by Roy (Kenan Thompson) and Josh (Shaun Weiss). Together they challenge the the tyrannic rule of manic camp counselor Tony Perkis (Ben Stiller) while overcoming their own personal insecurities to have the best summer of their lives. Thompson and Weiss both deliver Oscar-worthy performances, and Ben Still is at his best as the fitness-crazed camp counselor who must whip the campers into shape. Brill is truly at his best here, weaving an intricate tale full of mystery, suspense and deception, while capturing the essence of the human spirit and the hope and perseverance of children. This is a must have for any true fan of film.

---

22 out of 26 people found the following review useful:
How you doin' little Tony?, 14 August 2004

Author: TimmyElkinson from United States

This movie just plain out rocks. I could watch it everyday if I had to and never get bored. Ben Stiller is much better as a villain than he is at a pathetic loser, as he is in most of his movies. Anyway, this has a bit more attitude than most Disney movies, saying words like ass and hell. Thats no problem though. Let's just face it, fat kids are funny. Don't miss Jerry Stiller's cameo in the begining of this hilarious movie. Also a very funny performence from Tom Hodges as Lars, the evil counsler. I suggest that you go rent this movie right away. You just can't beat, "Must....be, good to see my fat ass again!" 10/10

---

31 out of 45 people found the following review useful:
Greatest movie of all time, 5 August 2005

Author: trogdorkilla-99 from United States

This is the best movie ever. I have watched it 1192 times. Ben Stiller's performance is excellent and the kids, although amateur, provide many, many, many laughs. This is a great movie to sit back and watch when you feel like using no brain power. The comedy is completely mindless and hilarious. Watching a group of obese children being "torchered" by a diet-obsessed ex-heavyweight is a great premise for a movie. it has all the elements of a good movie: you laugh, you celebrate, and maybe, (if you're extremely sensitive) cry. I don't know how you can't absolutely love this movie. My praises for this movie know almost no bounds. This is just a great movie. Well, I'm going to go achieve 1193!

---

13 out of 17 people found the following review useful:
A classic that delivers laughs as big as the kids stomachs!, 23 July 2004

Author: HATED_IT from Massachusetts

Heavyweights is the story of a group of kids who with the help of their counselor go on a mission to take back their fat camp from a crazy man who has never interacted with kids before (played by Ben Stiller) who is intend on making it into a money making informercial.

I first saw this as a child, and absolutely loved it. I must have watched it again on at least 5 other occassions. Recently I was in the video store and came across a copy of it for sale. After convincing my friend to buy it , we went back to his house and popped it into the VCR. I wondered if the film would hold up after all these years. Did it? Absolutely! In fact I may have gotten bigger laughs this time around.

I do not understand why this film has a 5.1 rating, after reminding this movie to my friends they all recalled loving it, and everyone I recently watched it with loved it. Ben Stiller's character is hillarious, and the rest of the cast is great. Besides Ben, Kenan Thompson is the only other actor in this who went on to become somewhat of a star, which is suprising because all the kids give great performances. Tom Mcgowan, the man who plays Pat, seemed to be chosen for the role because Chris Farley passed on it, and John Candy died, but he gives a great performance.

I know it sounds cliche, but Heavyweights is truly one of the few movies that people of all ages will love.

9/10

---

13 out of 18 people found the following review useful:
Hardest I've laughed in a LONG time., 10 August 1999

Author: Bigmoose

This is one of the funniest movies I've seen. And fat people will not be offended, I have friends that have really been to "fat camp" and they were laughing harder than I was, and I really don't see what's so gross about it. This is a great film go out and rent it. 9.5 out of 10.

---

14 out of 21 people found the following review useful:
review + question, 9 August 2002

Author: miniboot from London

The film is great, I don't need to write another review of the synopsis as there are so many below, but if you have any sense of humour at all you'll like this movie. If you're a dried up 60 year old prune reminiscing about the good old days of black and white cinema when you could see a film + popcorn for a shilling and sixpence, you'll hate it. Great for kids, enough stupid stuff to keep them entertained, Fantastic for teenagers/people in their 20s, enough sick/dry humour to satisfy and make you think 'holy crap can they say that in a DISNEY film????', and older middle aged people with a sense of humour will see its quirky side too.

I just have one question, at one point with the seymour butts joke, does anyone know what josh actually says, as his joke is totally out of sync with his lip movements.

---

25 out of 45 people found the following review useful:
Jesus gave us Heavyweights, 31 March 2006

Author: princesstanya (princesstanya@hotmail.com) from United States

This is truly the best movie that has ever gushed from the loins of Disney. I have 7 copies in constant rotation, each dedicated to a particular weekday for viewing. I quit my job and collect social security to support my habit,as well as stuffing envelopes during the rewind phase. On the weekends when my grandma comes over to clean, she usually plays Lars or Tony, and I get to be Gerry Garner. Once I asked some Jehovah's witnesses to be Nicholas and Simms, but one talked too much and the other had a crappy English accent. I used a microwave box to make my own go-kart in the living room for me to sit in when I get to part the wild horse's mane. I'm doggen 'em, Pat! I'm doggen 'em!

---

7 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
Classic summer camp movie from Disney, 19 February 2006

Author: moviefan1725-1 from United States

It's really too bad that summer camps aren't as prevalent in today's society as they used to be. It was a way for kids to get away for a few months every summer. It was a chance to be on your own (away from parents anyway), visit a place that you would otherwise never see, have what may be the most important experiences of your childhood, and make friends that you would truly never forget. Kids just do not get that today. The only way they can really experience the magic of summer camp is in the movies. Unfortunately there are not many movies that really show that experience. Meatballs (1979, with Bill Murray) may very well be the best example, and Indian Summer (1996) shows how those friendships last when a group of 30 year old former campers reunite at the summer camp of their youth. But here with Heavyweights, we have another great, if not to realistic portrayal of the summer camp experience. Camp Hope is a camp that caters strictly to fat kids. It's where they go to lose weight, and make friends with other kids that may also be considered outcasts back home because of their weight. But in fat camp, all kids are equal. At least until the kind owners of the camp, The Pushkins, are forced to sell the camp to a villainous fitness guru wannabe, played with demonic zeal by Ben Stiller. It is, in fact, a performance Stiller would virtually copy for the movie Dodgeball. He attempts to force the kids to lose weight through, shall we say, questionable methods in order to create a weight loss infomercial. But the kids, rebel, take over the camp, and have summer their way. There are many classic moments, such as the kids "downloading" their stash of candies and snacks in various hiding places, Ben Stiller's interrogation of kids that are actually gaining weight, a competition with the jocks from Camp MVP across the lake, and many more. There's also scenes showing that the kids can be anything they want if they just apply themselves. Such as a dance with the girls from across the lake. At first everyone just stands around. But when the boys start dancing, the girls join in, and success is in the air, until Stiller shows up to degrade the boys again. Sure this movie is by the numbers, but it's a fun ride, with great characters, beautiful scenery, and a villain who couldn't be more over the top. Epitomized by the scene where Stiller somersaults from a second story window, hits the floor, quietly says to himself "Ouch", and whips his head into a full villain "Nobody's gonna stop me" speech. Great family movie.

---

7 out of 11 people found the following review useful:
fun movie, 17 July 2003

Author: colinwhitefan

Camp Hope is a summer camp for fat kids, all of the kids at Camp Hope have a weight problem. It is the one place they can go without feeling different. But when the previous owners declare bankruptcy, the camp is purchased by an obnoxious fitness freak Tony Perkis (Ben Stiller) who becomes obsessed with changing his chubby charges into budding body builders. He immediately begins serving them low calorie foods and subjecting them to rigorous exercises (ex. 20 mile hike). Part of his motivation is greed and he is in the process of writing a book, and filming an infomercial on weight loss. The boys at camp rebel the "Perkis System" and mayhem ensues. I liked Heavyweights it was pretty funny for a Disney film. Ben Stiller is hilarious as the freak Tony Perkis one of his better roles in my opinion.

---

4 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Best movie of my childhood (spoilers ahead!), 28 September 2004

Author: reiko_sawamura

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

When I first saw this movie 6 years ago, I loved it in theaters, I loved it when I bought the VHS, and it was the first DVD that I ever bought! I watch this move as often as I can, because it is a true wonder to behold when it comes to movies about camp. You feel sorry for the poor kids as they are ridiculed and belittled by the sadistic Tony (played perfectly by Ben Stiller), and root for them as they exact there revenge. Yes, the ending is a bit clichéd (I still wish they had lost..it would go great with the movie's lessons). All in all, I believe this is a great movie for kids that love a silliness with a bit of seriousness.

My rating: 10/10. SEE THIS MOVIE IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!

---

---

Page 1 of 6:

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Add another review

---

Related Links

Plot summary	Ratings	External reviews
Parents Guide	Plot keywords	Main details
Your user reviews	Your vote history