The Movie Disney Called 'Too Dark' (Heavyweights)

In today's video, we'll be discussing the 1995 movie "Heavyweights" directed by Steven Brill, who co-wrote the movie with Judd Apatow.

“Heavyweights" is a heartwarming 1995 comedy film that follows a group of overweight kids at a summer weight-loss camp. Directed by Steven Brill and produced by Judd Apatow, the movie features a talented cast and a creative team that brought this delightful story to life. Ben Stiller shines as the overzealous fitness guru, Tony Perkis, adding hilarious moments to the film. Aaron Schwartz portrays the kind-hearted protagonist, Gerry Garner, on a journey of self-acceptance. Kenan Thompson and Shaun Weiss contribute their comedic talent as Gerry's friends, Roy and Josh. Tom McGowan plays the understanding camp counselor, Pat Finley, providing warmth to the story. The film delivers a valuable message about self-acceptance and friendship, making it a cherished classic that continues to bring joy to audiences of all ages.

Video Clip Sources:

Song List:
Bodeans - Closer to Free (Instrumental)
Dig It - D-Tent Boys (Holes Soundtrack)
Mixkit - Ambient (Outro)
Your Vibe by Pufino @FreeToUseMusic
Vibing by Pufino @FreeToUseMusic
Feeling Good by Pufino @FreeToUseMusic
Getaway by Pufino @FreeToUseMusic
Chill Vibes by Pufino @FreeToUseMusic
Departure by Soyb @FreeToUseMusic
Cool Lofi by Pufino @FreeToUseMusic
Coffee Time by Pufino @FreeToUseMusic
_______________________________________
Music track: Your Vibe by Pufino
Music track: Vibing by Pufino
Music track: Feeling Good by Pufino
Music track: Getaway by Pufino
Music track: Chill Vibes by Pufino
Music track: Departure by Soyb
Music track: Cool Lofi by Pufino
Music track: Coffee Time by Pufino
Music for Videos (Free Download)
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Intro 0:00
Writing "Heavyweights" (Judd Apatow & Steven Brill) 0:51
Casting Ben Stiller 2:00
From Mighty Ducks to Heavyweights 2:26
Going to "Fat Camp" 3:02
Kenan Thompson as Roy 3:50
Shaun Weiss as Josh 4:30
Tony Perkis Takes Over / Ben Stiller Method Acting 5:20
Camp Counselor Lars 6:00
Too Dark for Disney / Lack of Marketing 7:04
"Heavyweights" on Disney Channel 9:28
Deleted Scenes / Phallic Jokes 10:15
Connection to "Dodgeball" (2004) 10:38
No Remake or Sequel for "Heavyweights" 12:10
Outro 12:44

#Heavyweights #Dodgeball #Disney

[MediaPastimes]

There were so many more clips that I wanted to include in this episode, but I had to cut or shorten a lot of them because I kept getting copyright claims on the video. I guess Disney doesn't want free promotion for an almost thirty year old movie?

R.I.P. to not only Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara who played the Buskins - but also Joseph Wayne Miller who played "Salami Sam".


*Trivia tidbits I left out of the video, but movie nerds will love:*

• The movie that Adam Sandler and Chris Farley did instead of "Fat Camp" was "Billy Madison", which released one week before "Heavyweights"

• Ben Stiller is married to Christine Taylor, who starred in "The Brady Bunch Movie" which released on the same day as "Heavyweights" (but they didn't meet until 2000)

• Jon Favreau was up for the role of Camp Hope counselor Pat Finley, but he lost a bunch of weight before filming began (he offered to gain it back for the role but Judd Apatow and Steven Brill didn't want to put him through that)

• Actor-Director Peter Berg appears in the movie as the chef who says "Sorry about your little friend Josh..."

• Aaron Schwartz (Gerry Garner) broke his arm during the food fight night party scene, so a double was put in his place during that scene and he had to keep his arm out of view for the scenes that still needed to be filmed

• A deleted scene reveals that Gerry originally had an older brother, who punches his arm as he's walking up to his house (which is why he's rubbing his arm in pain when he first walks through the door)

• While the rest of the cast was filming the dance scene, Shaun Weiss stole a golf cart and flipped it over

[Sumschmuck]

I think heavyweights perfectly balances the idea of self acceptance, while still saying that self improvement is never wrong. After they defeat Ben Stiller, they don't just say "no more bad guy, be fat forever" instead they still show them learning more beginner exercises and learning to make foods better for their health.

[Ricardosucio]

“He’s a straggler. Stragglers should be left to fend for themselves” is something my friends and I still say to each other to this day

[hardickmcfondle]

"At age 12 I weighed 319 pounds.. I had bad skin, low self-esteem, and no self respect.. NOW I eat success for breakfast!.... with skim milk" I could quote this movie almost line for line at a point in my childhood.

[TheBrownKid]

Ben stiller has some of best lines in this movie!

“COME ON YOU DEVIL LOGGG”
“OH LOOK… A DELI MEAT”

[NYCHotDogStands]

"Get off the scale" STILL gets me to this day. LOVE THIS MOVIE!!

[rbchill]

I can't tell you how many times I've rewatched that scene when they weigh the kids for the first time!! "You've broken my camera" in the German accent would get me every time 😂😂😂

[dfolz]

Stiller running through the crowd with his hands held up for nonexistent high fives is an image that i ponder upon to this day.

[ryanfrasor]

I was a U.S. Marine deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, and one of the guys in my platoon had trouble maintaining the weight standards, so our platoon sergeant made him track his weight weekly. Every time I witnessed this I’d comment in Lars’ accent “congratulations Mr. Simms, you’re the fattest boy in camp.”

[browe]

One of my favorite movies of all time. My brother is 40 and I’m 32 and we still quote it heavily every time we see each other.

[JPgene_]

7:19

"The candy belongs to Peter Fitz"

"Peter Fitz? Who's Peter Fitz huh? Who's Peter Fitz!?"

"Anybody's Peter Fits if you push hard enough"

[astrostar]

"Attention campers today's lunch has been cancelled today due to lack of 'hustle'. Deal with it..." Still one of the greatest quotes in cinematic history. Thanks for spotlighting this gem. I vaguely remember seeing this not too long after it was made available for home viewing in the 90's. I loved whenever it came on the Disney Channel every so often, and I still love the movie to this day. Shame that Disney didn't have much faith in it.

[Stevenirons]

As a fat kid this movie always had a special place in my heart

[evancrew]

In this movie, Ben Stiller gives one of the funniest performances I’ve ever seen on screen. Tony Perkis so cartoonishly evil, it’s amazing

[will_da_man_]

This movie and Holes are perhaps the most underrated Disney films of all time.

[dirtycommtroop]

The gasp that Keenan makes after Lars says "Far away" always cracks me up.

[MateoMarine]

My favorite PG kids movie. Tony Perkis is the greatest comedic villain of all time and I hate that nobody really acknowledges how great this movie is. Also, Stiller repurposes bits. Obviously for Dodgeball, but also in Starsky and Hutch. His character's "alias" that he creates later in the film is "Maury Finkel of Finkel Lighting Fixtures" is just Tony Perkis Sr, the lighting fixture king of the midwest.

[bonniefinleyanimation]

I was a fat kid and was always sad that I never got to go to a camp with all my fellow brethren. This movie was the closest thing to that I ever had.
For that, I will always love it.

[Jetway]

This movie has had an enormous effect on my life, inspiring daily quotes, intramural team names, costumes, gifts, and even my way of life. It's no doubt within my top two films of all time, and I cannot believe it's not more beloved. Ben Stiller's greatest role by far: nuanced, deep, hilarious, and completely fearless. Thanks for honoring it with this video. Now I'm gonna go climb that thousand-foot rock face over there with my bare hands and feet.

[mrodriguezks]

A video about one of my favorite movies? This pleases me.