Unhappy Campers (1988)
Dir: Michael A. Simpson
Cast: Pamela Springsteen, Renee Estevez, Walter
Gotell, Tony Higgins, Brian Patrick Clarke,
Valerie Hartman
Rated R, Approx: 79 Minutes
Anchor Bay Entertainment DVD
Take The Essentials."
film, but for different reasons...
direction, tone, and feel - and yet it still works! This is more action oriented than its predecessor and the pace is
tightened a bit. This takes a deconstructuralist stance towards the genre, predating Wes Craven's festival of smart
asses known as Scream by 8 years. With SC 2 the homages to the cliches of horror are done so lovingly that I
couldn't help but smile. Whereas Scream puts itself on a pedestal looking down on other genre efforts (that line
about the Elm Street sequels sucking was one of the most self indulgent things I've ever heard!); SC 2 wallows in the
illogical behavior of its genre counterparts, embracing everything we've come to love about horror.
another group of kids at adjacent Camp Rolling Hills. The events of the first film are quickly summarized around a
campfire; the tone of this film is also set accordingly. We quickly get introduced to our morally sound (well, almost)
killer, Angela. All within the first 5 minutes or so we are treated to some great campfire tales, a little bit of hijinx to wet
our appetites, an atmospheric setting, a pretty brutal murder sequence, and a rocking heavy metal soundtrack!
Director Michael Simpson knows how to give us what we want. As the story progresses we meet some colorful and
entertaining characters, including the beautiful bitch Alley (the stunning Valerie Hartman), a pair of voyeuristic kids
who call themselves the 'tit patrol', and the good girl Molly (Renee Estevez, Emilio and Charlie's sister).
We get a funny homage to this exciting period of horror history (the twin sisters even have a poster for Poison's
'Look What the Cat Dragged In' on the wall by their bunk). The overall acting is perfect for this type of movie,
everyone involved plays it up but doesn't push it too far (take notes please, Mr. Craven). Particular standouts
include Valerie Hartman (who would be the highlight of anything she's involved in), Anthony Higgins (who's character
was almost sent to Camp Arawak years ago), and Brian Patrick Clarke as the nice guy, TC. Also, keep your eyes
open for Justin Nowell (Charlie - one of the members of the tit patrol), who was also seen in Friday the 13th Part VI:
Jason Lives in a small part as one of the young kids Court is teaching about indians (also seen hiding under the
bed at the end).
Hartman has a few scenes that are sure to quicken anyone's pulse. Also joining in the fun is Susan Marie Snyder as
Mare, who also falls victim to the tit patrol! Even more important than their obvious assets, is how well these two
characters interact with Pam Springsteen's Angela. These character's bickering interactions drive the movie forward
and result in some classic moments. As for gore, Bill 'Splat' Johnson does an excellent job here. I don't want to give
anything away, but the mayhem is all fabulously executed fabulously on an obviously limited budget. Johnson has
deservedly gone onto to bigger films [In Dreams and The Patriot(!)] but it's great to see that he keeps himself within
the genre too (Pet Semetery II and the upcoming 8 Legged Freaks). I love to see horror artists get the
recognition they deserve and still return to the genre. You can read more about Johnson in the article written on the
Sleepaway Camp sequels for Fangoria # 73.
Sleepaway Camp 2 & 3 have been released in the boxed set collection: Sleepaway Camp - Survival Kit featuring
all three films (and some interesting supplementary material as well).
review by Dr. Spector 3/23/02
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