Meatballs III

Continuing my look back at the Meatballs franchise, today I look back at 1986's Meatballs III.

More of a true sequel to the original than Meatballs II, Meatballs III brings back the character Rudy, originally played by Chris Makepeace. Patrick Dempsey now fills Rudy's shoes in his first starring role. Now a teenager, Rudy is a nerd who struggles to meet women. His summer plans of working with his old camp counselor Tripper fall thru and Rudy takes a job working at a gas station for a resort. Meanwhile, a recently deceased porn star named Roxy, Sally Kellerman, finds out that the only way she can get in heaven is to help Rudy lose his virginity, funny how heaven works. So Roxy comes back to Earth and helps the geeky kid. She has her work cut out for her because he has eyes set on a unattainable lady known as the Love Goddess, Playboy Playmate Shannon Tweed.

Even though this one is more linked to the original, it's the worst of the series. There's no laughs. And Tripper boosted Rudy's confidence in the original, so would he really be a nerdy teen? The only bright spot is Isabelle Mejias as this punkish girl that has a crush on Rudy. She is pretty great.

Even if you're a fan of the original, I would say avoid this one at all costs.

It's not available on dvd or blu ray.