ironhorse_iv
In today's highly triggered PC (politically correctness) culture world, Disney films like this, couldn't be made. After all, making fun of fat people is now look down upon. In the 1990s, comedies like this, were a lot more common, provocative & welcome. Directed by Steve Brill, the movie centers on a bunch of overweight children, going to a fat camp in search for some summer fun, only to find that the facility has turn into hellish boot camp run by an insane fitness guru named Tony Perkis (Ben Stiller) whom wants to do whatever possible, even dangerous to get the children to slim down, by summer ends. Without spoiling the movie, too much, while, I do understand the struggles on losing weight for an obese person. After all, I'm not in the best shape, myself. However, I do also see the humor in the progress of trying to sweat it out. After all, I'm a huge fan of the 1996's comedy, 'Nutty Professor' & 2001's 'Shallow Hal'. While, some people might see comedies like this, offensive for fat people trying to slim down. For me, I found the fat jokes to be alright for the most part. I'm willing to take a few jabs about my waistline, as long as the movie has a good message, which I think the film kinda did, even if it kinda send confusing signals about being overweight. For the most part, I can see that the film was trying to send some good intentions morals. However, I did hate the movie for perpetuating negative stereotypes, like fat people, being stubborn about losing weight. The idea that the campers have smuggled in enough junk food to easily stave off the hunger pains and probably counteract any weight loss that the camp programs cause, is a bit over the top; seeing how some of them, feel, about their weight. Also, while it is not to excuse, his deranged behavior, the villain of the film does have a point. Obesity is indeed a chronic health problem. He don't need sugar coat it, while the other camp counselors does. Confiscating food and giving exercise is part of Tony's job as a fitness instructor. Some of his teachings, honestly does work, like the 'buddy system' and stretching before physical activity. When you think about it, he wasn't doing anything wrong, until the last half of the movie. Sometimes, you had to push them to lose weight, which I felt the other camp counselors were too soft to do, at first. In an way, he kinda save the camp. After all, what is fat camp, if you don't show results! Despite that, I do hate, how out of shape, they make the children, are. The idea that they are horrible in every sport, they played is a bit cartoony. Has the writers of this movie, ever saw, a baseball & football game? Those sports has some of the most athletic heavy set players, I ever saw. It's a bit weird to see, a bunch of obese children, not able to play one game of baseball. You would think, at least, one of them, would be, good at that sport. After all, they're kids. How much of a sedentary lifestyle, could they had, if their parents is always, trying to sign them up for things like Summer Camp. It doesn't make any sense. Another problem, I got, with this movie is the ending. It was too unrealistic. I doubt, the jocks from the other camp, would be that much of a braindead, beefcake. At least, one of them, should know the name of the vice presidents and know that the math problem isn't 11, because it isn't a solvable equation. Also, why are they portray so villainous!? Is it the 1980s!? I really hope for more realistic ending to the annual Apache Relay camp competition. Maybe, something similar to how 1976's 'Bad News Bears'. Yet, that wasn't the only thing, I got a problem with, this film. I don't like how they portray women, here. Everybody was attractive trophies. It's really hard to believe, that none of the ladies, had any weight problems. You would think, at least, one of them, would be overweight. Also, the Merycism jokes, the film introduce, were little too dark for a Disney movie. Despite that, there is some heart to this film. Much of the charm of this film, comes from the passion of actor, Tom McGowan as Camp Counselor. His character was so likable, and his acting, throughout this movie is amazing. Mad props goes to Ben Stiller as well. While, he was a bit over the top. He just too funny, with his facial expressions and body language. I glad, Stiller would play another health-obsessed fitness fanatic in the 2004 movie "Dodgeball.". These cartoony characters seem, some of his best works. I also dig, supporting characters like Paul Feid as Tim & Tom Hodges as Lars, even if they were playing one-dimension stereotypes of a foreigner and a gay man. They were a lot of fun. Even the child actors weren't that bad. Each one of them was unique. Overall: While, yes, it's wrong to laugh at people for being fat as there is many complex reasons, why they're overweight: but just because a film like this, might hurt, over-sensitive people, doesn't make them bullies. There is reasons, why uncomfortable comedies like this, are out there. They play important function in society by holding up a mirror and forcing us to confront realities that we would often prefer to ignore. Its films like this that makes the truth pill of obesity being a chronic health problem, easier to shallow. It creates progress. That why, I say hats off, to comedian writers like Steve Brill & Judd Apatow, because, beneath the humor lies somewhat a smart social commentary about what we should do, and what we shouldn't do, when it comes to the health of our children.
