Happy Campers

When the strict camp director of Camp Bleeding Dove (Peter Stormare of "Fargo" and "the Big Lebowski") gets electrocuted, the group of freshman camp counselors (including Jamie King of "Sin City", in her first role, and yes she gets topless) have to run the summer camp by themselves. Because of their personalities, they start to clash with each other. The Movie was funny in parts, but I think I was expecting more from Daniel Waters, I mean the cat gave us Heathers, Ford Fairlane, and Demolition Man. Not to say this is a bad movie in the least, just that it's sadly mediocre in every way.

My Grade: C+

Eye Candy: Jamie King goes topless

Maybe I missed something that the other reviewers saw. All I saw was this: unbelievable, stereotypical characters. There was nothing really that complex about Brad Renfro's character or Dominique Swain's character or James King's character. This movie was just horrible. Brad Renfro just didn't carry off the "hot stud camp counselor" and Swain never gave me any indication that she had any depth. Even the campers were boring and the camp pranks even more dull. Don't rent this movie. It's not even worth laughing at.

This was not the most original movie I've ever seen. I found there to be few laughs. There were several times when I simply stopped the tape, did something else and came back to it because it couldn't hold my interest. If you're interested in seeing a summer camp movie, check out Wet Hot American Summer.

I tried to think back to my 12 year self and I think she would have liked Happy Campers. Brad Renfro was great and even if his career has been reduced to guest spots in Ghost World, I still think he has talent. There was a "be yourself" message, but it was twisted rather than sparkling clean. I liked that. I liked the film (don't tell anyone). I just wish the writer hadn't tried so hard to make Midsummer's Night Dream references. A good teen movie is frivilous and meaningful and this was both.

Happy Campers has to be in my top ten and probably right at the top! I don't know what it is, but it really is one of life's good movies. To me anyway, to everyone else its utter nonsense! It has even inspired me to fly to America when I'm old enough and be a camp counselor!! I love the soundtrack, and if anyone knows how I can get hold of the song titles on the movie, (so far I've failed!) please email me a website or song titles and artists; anything would help!!! Wichita & Wendy: their flourishing romance, Pixel's floopiness and hot fashion, all the counsellors and their completely opposite personalities and backgrounds...and of course all the happy campers. Each scene brings out a new idea, a new perspective that leads to the end result. And listen to what they say - its so true. Their philosophy and story telling is blissfully blunt and simple. I Anyway, 10/10!!! See it!!! And if you have, watch it again!!! God knows I have!!!