Gerry Garner along with other chubby kids are sent to Camp Hope, a fat camp. The camp was owned by the kindly Bushkins but they went bankrupt. The camp is taken over by motivational wildman Tony Perkis (Ben Stiller) intend on making them skinnier to promote himself. Lars is his militaristic henchman. Tim (Paul Feig) and Pat Finley (Tom McGowan) are the gentle counselor holdovers from before. Julie (Leah Lail) is the pretty nurse. The kids has to battle Tony as they prepare for the Apache Relay against Camp MVP's jocks.
Written by Judd Apatow and Steven Brill, this is a showcase for Ben Stiller to do a crazy character. He's working out stuff to be used in later characters and has some funny moments. The adult actors are OK but the kids are mostly duds. The supposed lead kid is weak. I think that's the main problem. I like the kids but they're not funny. Shaun Weiss and Kenan Thompson are the best of the kids. The jokes are just not there. There is an interesting idea of making fun of fat camp. The directions from Brill is limited.
Written by Judd Apatow and Steven Brill, this is a showcase for Ben Stiller to do a crazy character. He's working out stuff to be used in later characters and has some funny moments. The adult actors are OK but the kids are mostly duds. The supposed lead kid is weak. I think that's the main problem. I like the kids but they're not funny. Shaun Weiss and Kenan Thompson are the best of the kids. The jokes are just not there. There is an interesting idea of making fun of fat camp. The directions from Brill is limited.