Alright, fellow tape travelers, let's rewind to 1985. The original Porky's had blown the doors off the box office a few years prior, practically inventing the modern raunchy teen comedy. Its sequel, Porky's II: The Next Day, kept the party going. But by the time Porky's Revenge hit the shelves of the local video store, there was a feeling... maybe the well was starting to run a bit dry? Popping this tape into the VCR back then often came with a mix of anticipation and slight trepidation. Could the Angel Beach gang possibly get into more trouble?
Graduation Goggles and Familiar Faces
The good news is, most of the core crew is back for one last hurrah before graduation. We've got Dan Monahan as the perpetually… frustrated Pee Wee Morris, Wyatt Knight as the relatively level-headed Tommy, Tony Ganios providing the muscle and surprising heart as Meat, Mark Herrier as Billy, and the whole gang navigating those final, hormone-fueled days of high school. Seeing them together again certainly sparks that nostalgic recognition. Kaki Hunter as Wendy is still sharp, and of course, Nancy Parsons returns as the formidable Miss Balbricker, who gets a surprisingly significant (and bizarrely sympathetic?) subplot involving her relationship with Principal Carter (Bill Hindman). That subplot alone feels like a pure product of 80s comedy logic – you wouldn't see that handled quite the same way today.
The Return of the Nemesis (Sort Of)
The "Revenge" in the title, naturally, refers to Porky Wallace (Chuck Mitchell), back to menace our heroes, this time with a gaudy riverboat casino, the "Porky's Revenge," parked just outside county lines. The central conflict involves the boys trying to shut down Porky's operation (again) while simultaneously dealing with final exams, prom night anxieties, and the aforementioned Balbricker saga. The stakes feel… familiar. Maybe a little too familiar.
One notable change behind the camera might explain the slightly different vibe. Bob Clark, who directed the first two with a certain gleeful, boundary-pushing energy (he also gave us the timeless A Christmas Story, talk about range!), stepped aside. Taking the helm was James Komack, a veteran director primarily known for his work on hit TV sitcoms like Chico and the Man and Welcome Back, Kotter. This shift is subtly felt; Revenge sometimes feels a bit more episodic, leaning into set pieces that occasionally have the rhythm of a TV show, albeit one with considerably more T&A and crude jokes than network standards allowed. It lacks some of the raw, almost transgressive energy of the original.
Running on Fumes or Fuelled by Nostalgia?
Let's be honest, the humor in Porky's Revenge doesn't quite hit the outrageous highs (or lows, depending on your taste) of the first film. The shock value had worn off, and some of the gags feel like slightly less inspired echoes of past glories. Remember the visceral, almost unbelievable practical effect of the first film's shower scene reveal? The practical gags here, like a disastrous chemistry experiment or the climactic shenanigans aboard the riverboat, are staged with that tangible, pre-digital physicality, but lack the same legendary punch. It’s all very real – real props, real (mild) explosions, real awkward physical comedy – but the ideas behind them feel a bit recycled.
This sense of diminishing returns was reflected at the box office. While the original Porky's was a phenomenon (reportedly made for around $4 million, it grossed over $100 million – that's astronomical!), Porky's Revenge, with a higher budget of around $8 million, pulled in just over $20 million. Not a flop, perhaps, but a clear signal that the initial craze was fading. Audiences, it seemed, were ready to graduate from Angel Beach High along with the characters. It's a fascinating retro fun fact that highlights how quickly audience tastes could shift even back then.
Still Worth Ejecting the Tape?
Despite the feeling of a franchise running low on steam, there's still a certain comfort-food quality here for fans of the series. The cast clearly enjoys being back together, and their chemistry remains a strong point. Nancy Parsons really leans into the expanded role for Balbricker, managing to find something almost human beneath the caricature. And seeing Pee Wee get into yet another series of elaborate, doomed schemes provides its own predictable, but still occasionally amusing, payoff. The writer, Ziggy Steinberg (who later penned American Anthem and worked on The Cosby Show), tries to recapture the magic, but lightning rarely strikes thrice in the exact same spot.
The film is undeniably a product of its time – the casual sexism, the simplistic view of teenage life, the very specific brand of mid-80s raunch. It doesn’t have the groundbreaking impact of the first or even the slightly more polished feel of the second. It’s the slightly awkward younger sibling who showed up late to the party.
Final Verdict:
Porky's Revenge is like finding that third-generation dub of a tape you loved – the picture's a little fuzzier, the sound might warble, and you know the original was better, but there's still a undeniable nostalgic warmth in watching it play out. It delivers familiar faces and the expected brand of humor, even if the jokes land with less force and the plot feels like a retread. It's not essential viewing like the original, but for completists or anyone wanting one last, slightly less potent dose of Angel Beach chaos, it fills a specific, mid-80s niche.
Rating: 4/10 - Earns points for cast chemistry and nostalgic familiarity, but loses major marks for recycled gags, a less energetic feel, and generally being the weakest link in the Porky's chain.
Final Thought: It’s the cinematic equivalent of the last slice of lukewarm pizza at the end of a wild party – you might eat it, but you definitely remember when it was hot and fresh.