Movie Review # 128 A Pig's Tail (1996)

Release: 1996
Director: Paul Tassie
Writer(s): Todd Richardson, Scott Sandorf, Charles Ransom
Cast: Joe Flaherty, Sean Babb, Mike Damus


Ratings:
Rotten Tomatoes: n/a
IMDb: 5.5/10
Netflix: 2.8 Stars


Review:
I want to start off with this. I love children's movies as I never let go of my inner child. So that means I look forward to watching movies like this "A Pig's Tail" sadly though this movie proved to me that hopes and dreams of a great movie sometimes lead down a path of cliched story lines and bad acting. As this movie is a teen version of "Revenge of the Nerds" or a copy of the Disney movie "Heavyweights" and a poorly done one at that.

The plot of the movie is simple a group of rejects rebuild their house while at camp. As they discover who they are all the while fighting off the Wolves the popular rich kids of the world. I am fine with this story arc as it is proven and concise. Sadly though the rest of the film falls flat on it's face. With minor plots involving magical lake girls to a overlying teen love story that never materializes at all.

Instead of focusing on those plots the movie delves into the potty humor of fart, burp and puke jokes. Then tosses in elaborate Rube Goldberg inventions where the kids set up traps for the other group. All the while it is this sense of disconnect that drives you mad as you wish they would stick to the plot points. Instead of just focusing on the revenge factor that they so proudly display.

I am not a parent and I am just an Aunt. But I could not find a reason for my niece to watch this. Nor could I find a reason for other children to watch this either. As movies like this are straight to the dollar bin purchases. Which is not sad as their are vastly greater movies that have the same premise as this one. Take this short list of movies as examples. The Mighty Ducks, Heavyweights, Camp Nowhere, and The Sandlot. All of them share a common bond and that is kids overcoming and being something.

Yet they all did not resolve themselves into potty humor to make a quick laugh. Yes some has scenes of this behavior but often it was either for a quick laugh or for making a point. Which this movie did not. It was the soul purpose to make you squirm as the joke wore on through out as each poorly done burp and fart passed on screen.

It is sad as this movie had potential and it squandered it. If you are looking for a cheap time killing option for a summer afternoon you can do worse. But just do not expect you or your kids to thoroughly enjoy this movie as it leaves wanting more than what it brings.

My Rating: 2 Stars out of 5


No Trailer was found for this movie.