Ivan has a rather checkered record for me. He was involved with some major movies as a producer, writer and director which are a part of the West’s lexicon and shared experience. I just don’t find the majority to be very good, especially…Ghostbusters. There, I said it and I know you’re not supposed to speak ill of the dead so I’ll focus on the things I am grateful he did work on since these are the works which held up and I appreciated.
Meatballs was amusing even though I never got to do the Summer camp think yet I could relate to Chris Makepeace’s situation and it was a toned down Slobs v. Snobs conflict as Animal House wasn’t for general audiences. Speaking of the imaginary early Sixties, he was involved with the short-lived attempt to continue the Deltas’ adventures on ABC via Delta House. Having seen both the R-rated movie and most of the SitCom’s episodes, the later remains funnier as it was rape free. Bill Murray (best in small doses) teamed up with Ivan again in Stripes an odd flick mocking the US Army when the Republicans were trying to make war cool again. I have a feeling there was no cooperation from the Pentagon on it like Red Dawn or Top Gun. Heavy Metal was a big step forward. Sure, it’s filled with teen boy fantasies as per the magazine but animation aimed at adults had been mostly monopolized by Ralph Bakshi until this. Heavy‘s good elements balance out its sexism and gratuitous violence; it did give South Park a funny episode for us diehards. I readily admit, I have a soft spot for Kindergarten Cop thanks to the catchphrases…It’s not a tumor!
Ivan even loaned his clout and talents to stuff you’d be surprised about: the Beethoven franchise involving the giant St. Bernard, a fave of numerous Mills, The Late Shift how Leno got The Tonight Show when Letterman was the better heir and Trailer Park Boys, an assist to a younger generation of Canadian clowns. I think he also provided the right touch to help his son Jason become a respected director with an individual voice. When Jason was being interviewed on Fresh Air, Terri Gross did ask the obvious question, did being Ivan Reitman’s kid bring about accusations of nepotism. I loved how Jason was honest and human, paraphrasing, “Actually, I was hoping it would help me get started but my dad stayed out and I had to claw my way up.” We all poo poo it and if it helped us, we’d be fools to turn it down. Well, I’m glad it worked out. Jason is impressive.
Meanwhile, thank you for everything Ivan. I apologize for just not being impressed by Twins, Junior, Dave and Ghostbusters. You tried and I never doubted your sincerity. You have to be skilled, likable and credible to succeed while continuing to keep getting work as Show Business is hard. I still thank you for what you’ve added to collective mindset.