Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Return to Sleepaway Camp

Genre - Horror/Mystery
Year Released - 2008
Running Time - 100 minutes
Directed by Robert Hiltzik (who also directed the 1st Sleepaway Camp, back in 1983, and is also directing the 6th installment in the series - Sleepaway Camp Reunion, due in 2010)
Written by Robert Hiltzik (who has written all 5 installments, as well as the upcoming 6th installment)
Cast Includes:
Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos)
Paul DeAngelo (as Ronnie Baker - reprising his character from the 1st film)
Jonathan Tiersten (as Ricky Baker - reprising his character from the 1st film)
Michael Gibney (this is his 1st film)
*Cameo Appearances include Felissa Rose (from the 1st film - who is still psycho as all get out!) and also Isaac Hayes as the camp chef

Rating: 3 Skulls

Plot Summary:
Haunted by memories of murder at Camp Arawak, Ronnie, the new co-owner of Camp Manabe, is looking forward to an uneventful summer. But when campers began to disappear one by one, Ronnie can't help but suspect that a killer is loose on the grounds.

Review:
To be completely honest, I have never seen parts 2 - 4. While I enjoyed the 1st film, I really had no desire to see its sequels. [I do not want to ruin the ending of that film for anyone who has never seen it, but the killer was just not somebody I wanted to see return] If you have never seen the 1st film, you should do so, as it is a classic and has a shocking ending! (one of those endings that you will never forget)

Anyway, I had heard that this 5th installment pretty much ignores the other sequels, and being that this one is directed by the original director, I decided to give it a shot.

I think that it is pretty cool that the director decided to keep the whole 80's vibe going throughout this film, even though the film takes place 25 years later. Just like the 1st film, in this one, you know when the kills are coming, and you wait with gleeful anticipation. :-) While not overly gory, there are some pretty cool kill scenes!

Michael Gibney plays the "fat kid" that everyone picks on (and he's not even all that fat) I thought that he did a great job - you can never feel really sorry for him though, as he is a prick himself. (though there is a paintball scene that definitely made me wince - if you have ever been hit with a paintball, you will understand the scene)

Overall, like the 1st film, this one is a fun, campy movie. However, unlike the 1st one, this one is very predictable - the 2nd kill is a pretty much dead giveaway, as to the killer's identity.



If you do decide to go ahead and watch this film, make sure that you watch through the credits. . .

Jason

10 comments:

Te* (Slasher Film Sanctuary) said...

I liked this film, but it just didn't win me over like the first. The gas death & Bunk Bed death scenes were my favorite. ;P

thebonebreaker said...

I agree.

The bunk bed death scene was great, as was the death scene that took place after the credits rolled - though I would have to say my favorite was the stake scene! :-)

J

Keith said...

I had seen the original film and all its sequels. I'll have to check this one out.

thebonebreaker said...

Like I said, I have never seen any of the other sequels, though if you liked the 1st one, you should like this one as well.

Stop back by and let me know! :-)

J

Mike Kent said...

Ok so I will naturally not say anything...other than I am a huge fan of the series and we all know how I feel and I just wnat to say....thabk you for your comments and your reviews...all of which are greatly appreciated!!!

thebonebreaker said...

Thanks Mikey! :-)

J

Bloody Mary said...

Hey, I followed you from Final Girl because you actually enjoyed this movie! I did too! I'm getting ready to review it on my blog in the next few days.

BTW, when you say that you weren't interested in seeing the sequels because "the killer was just not somebody I wanted to see return", I wonder if you know that those movies had nothing whatsoever to do with the original. Other than maybe a brief verbal reference to the first, they could have been another franchise entirely. I wouldn't recommend them personally, but Stacie (Final Girl) likes 'em so I leave it up to you to perhaps reconsider. Or not!

I'm definitely going to visit you again and read up!

thebonebreaker said...

Hey Mary,

Perhaps one day I will watch the sequels - they just aren't a priority for me right now
[why bother having sequels that have nothing to do with the original?!?]

I'll be looking forward to reading your review!

Thanks for dropping by! :-)

J

Anonymous said...

The original still has one of my favorite "WHAT THE FUCK?!?" twist endings of all time. I love showing that movie to my friends just to see their reactions during that last scene. And Felissa Rose's open-mouthed hissing face is still eerie n' weird as all hell!

thebonebreaker said...

I totally agree with you William!

J