Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp is a terrific comedy series with well written episodes and a star studded comedic cast. It's a very fun show that will surely please any die hard fans of the original 2001 movie, it has all the same goofy, slapstick and straight up ridiculous humour that people have come to expect from Showalter and Wain. It definitely had many noticeably flaws that bothered me, although they may not have been of huge concern to many others, first off I wasn't very found of all eight episodes taking place in one day, it's fine for a movie, but not for eight episodes that are all thirty minutes each, I think it would have given the writers more creative freedom to have each one take place in a different day instead, revolving on their first week of camp. Also, the jokes about the age gaps of the actors and their characters was overused, it was already stated with their clothing and personalities, it didn't need to be stated so often, with characters mentioning they were "too young to drink alcohol" or a girl mentioning she just started her period, I think if they do have another reunion it would be better for it to be set years after the events of the first movie, possibly with the cast taking control of Camp Firewood. The cast is definitely a delight, there isn't a single member from the movie who dosen't return, Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Marguerite Moreau, Michael Ian Black, Elizabeth Banks and Janeane Garofalo, just to name a few, are all back in action, and some great new characters, played by the likes of Jason Schwartzman, John Slattery, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig and Jon Hamm, among many others, and somehow none of them end up feeling underused. However, my favourite part of the whole series had to be Christopher Meloni, who actually wasn't my favourite character in the first movie (that being David Hyde Pierce, who sadly only features in two episodes, both times very briefly), but he steals every scene he is in this time around, and Gene is as cool as he's ever been. It definitely had many imperfections, but Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp is still a great laugh that gets better for each episode, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good comedy series.

During the summer of 1981, we follow the campers of Camp Firewood on their insane first day.

Best Performance: Christopher Meloni Worst Performance: Michael Showalter (as President Reagan)

Best Episode: Day is Done Worst Episode: Campers Arrive

Wet Hot American Summer First Day of Camp is the newest Netflix original series and it is a continuation of the 2001 Film Wet Hot American Summer. The film has many of the same stars and has some new ones such as Chris Pine, Jason Schwarzmann, Michael Cera and numerous other recognizable stars. The series explores life at summer camp to and extreme level and also to a some what relatable level at some times however for the most part the series is absurd and unrealistic which is not necessarily a bad thing as most of the comic aspects of the film rely on dry humor and the crazy things the characters do. The characters feel like cartoon characters and the whole show feels like a real life cartoon, I could not help but think of Cartoon Network's Camp Lazloo when I watched this which is a very unique new type of comedy from the traditional less absurd comedies such as Big Bang Theory and Silicon Valley. The series will not be as enjoyable to all who do not enjoy this ridiculous humor however the stunning cast and filmography will be a definite treat.

8.5/10

I had no expectations prior to watching this hilarious show. It borrows campy humor elements from Hot Shots, Police Academy, Scary Movie series, etc...I loved the original WHAS movie, this is great!!

When I saw this pop up on Netflix I was intrigued by the cast. It had to be funny right? I tried to watch the first couple episodes and left midway through the second. I didn't know if it was because I did not see the movie or what. It just did not seem funny or nostalgic. That was a few months ago, fast forward to this summer and I saw that the WHAS 10 years later was out. So I decided to check that out, just to see if it was anything better. I don't know why but I found it hilarious, I loved the first episode so much I immediately stopped watching and went back and started watching the original series, then the movie that started it all. Maybe I didn't get it the first time or the "10 years later" premise sparked a renewed interest. The idea of these older comedians playing kids was magic and their naivete made it priceless. For whatever reason you gave up on it from the start, try it again, you might be glad you did.

I have not seen the film this series is based on. But the series is just wonderful, charming, bizarre and a great deal of fun. Its like a parody on 80s teen movies but it ends up something much more. This alternative universe is a warm place to spend a couple of hours in. Paul Rudd is excellent as one of the lead character, he is overacting but so does everyone else in the cast, and it works. In some strange way it doesn't feel like a parody but more like a reality somewhere else. Like a movie started to become real and the characters live on far after the movie ended.

The cast is excellent and its just big names everywhere like Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Jason Schwartzman, Elisabeth Banks, Chris Pine and it goes on and on. And its great fun seeing this big names and some in minor parts building up this summer camp universe.

For everyone that likes bizarre, sometimes childish but still funny movies.