Poison Ivy

A sweet, charming, family friendly TV throwback from days gone by? Was it really all so simple then? Who knows, but this is a great way to escape into nostalgia. Nothing monumental, but comfy as fresh linens and mom's home cooking. Recommended.

Poison Ivy is one of my favorites.I just realized that Jason Bateman is credited with being part of the movie.The fifth credit on the box of the VHS copy, released in 1987.I cannot find any info on why he is not in the movie.Why he is credited?Anyone know why?The funniest thing about this mistake is that everyone seems to be printing the same info over and over to fill space on the web pages.You might notice this quote is just about in everything you might find on Jason Bateman.

"During this period, Bateman also found time to star or co-star in a handful of feature films, such as the 1985 made-for-TV summer-camp comedy Poison Ivy, Teen Wolf, Too, and 1991's Necessary Roughness. However, none of the projects were successful enough to give Bateman a springboard to big screen stardom."

Like a few reviewers here, I was a kid when this movie first aired. I taped it. Rewatched it a number of times, found it on VHS (better without commercials!) and watched it some more. It never made it to DVD (as far as I know) and so I've now been relegated to watching it on youtube.

No matter how many times I watch it, I still end up with a smile on my face. Yes, I grew up watching "The Facts of Life," "Family Ties," and films like "My Bodyguard" as well as "DC Cab." And the trio of talent works well here in Nancy McKeon, Michael J. Fox, and Adam Baldwin.

I went to a church camp for a couple of summers. I hated it. The food was beyond deplorable, so I often wondered how a REAL camp would be!

The movie isn't perfect, and it's a bit cheesy in a few places, but then, so what? It's pure, fun entertainment. Joe Wright (Jerry Disbro) was easily the best child actor of the cast, in my opinion. He was a bit like a precursor to Zack Morris. Always up to something.

While Michael J. Fox and Nancy McKeon carry off a sweet little romance (they were dating in real life too!), it's Adam Baldwin who steals the film as the stuffy, military-type camp counselor. His lines are hilarious and bring the most laughs.

Whenever I feel like going back to simpler time with an enjoyable film, I often find myself looking for this one.

Just your typical summer camp movie that follows the basic formula of a little romance, a few troubled youths, and some sort of friendly competition near the end. Well not all that friendly as one team tries to rig one of the events in a very unfair and mean spirited way. I would try to talk about the plot more, but it has been forever since I saw this movie as a kid. I figured I would review it though as I am not really keen on tracking this movie down and seeing it again. From what I remember though it is a better summer camp movie than say Meatballs 2, but not as good as the original or as different as say white water summer or that kind of creepy one where the kids take over the camp and everything goes berserk. What you basically get is the same old clichés and story lines. The only other parts that stand out other than the boy who learns how to do the backstroke is the story of the man who lives by himself in a cabin and has what appears to be blood on his hatchet.

It's been a long time seeing,and my VHS tape is messed up where I had it taped. I think it would be fun to have. Has cutesy little things happen,and I love the little boy who is 'in love' with nurse Rhonda at camp. I think people of all ages would enjoy it. Nancy and Michael have nice chemistry, and are a cute couple. I wish it would show on t.v., along with a few others I can't find again. Like Rags to Riches,with Joseph Bologna. Or Bad Manners. These are some I would love to see come to t.v. again,or make VHS still for them. Maybe even to DVD . But if you get a chance, check it out. For the most part, I believe here and there,you'll have to smile.I think you'll like it.