Return to Sleepaway Camp (2008) (V)

User Rating:

4.4/10   

Director:

Robert Hiltzik

Writer:

Robert Hiltzik (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror

Tagline:

Kids can be so mean.

Plot:

It's summer camp as usual at Camp Manabe where the kids torment each other for fun while the underpaid...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Summer Camp | Gasoline | Crushed To Death | Vulgarity

Cast

Vincent Pastore	...	Frank
Michael Gibney	...	Alan
Paul DeAngelo	...	Ronnie
Jonathan Tiersten	...	Ricky Baker
Isaac Hayes	...	Charlie the Chef
Lenny Venito	...	Mickey (as Lenny Vento)
Erin Broderick	...	Karen
Adam Wylie	...	Weed
Kate Simses	...	Petey
Brye Cooper	...	Randy
Michael Werner	...	Michael
Christopher Shand	...	T.C.
Jaime Radow	...	Jenny
Shahidah McIntosh	...	Bella
Jackie Tohn	...	Linda

Also Known As:

Nightmare Vacation V
Sleepaway Camp V: The Return (USA) (informal title)

MPAA:

Rated R for horror violence and gore, pervasive language, some sexual content and teen drug use.

Runtime:

USA:86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Hancock, New York, USA

Company:

Go2sho

Trivia:

Isaac Hayes's last film, although it was shot five years before his death, and he had a subsequent cameo in Soul Men (2008).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the newspaper ad for Camp Arawak in the opening credits, the word volleyball is misspelled "vollyball".

Quotes:

Randy: [as the killer lowers a tiny noose toward his crotch] What, are we hanging mice tonight?

Movie Connections:

References The Burning (1981)

Soundtrack:

Croquet

A worthy return for the Sleepaway Camp series

I'm not a big fan of slasher films in general; but I do make an exception for the Sleepaway Camp films. The first one worked thanks to some interesting ideas that set it apart from most of the rest of the genre; as well as a memorable shock ending. The two sequels were not as shocking; but featured some good kills and a breezy performance from the likable Pamela Springsteen. Despite my fondness for these films, I never wanted another follow-up; even if it is directed by Robert Hiltzik, who helmed the original. Naturally I went into this expecting it to be awful - but to my greatest surprise, not only is the film not awful - it even succeeds in capturing the spirit of the original, which is a lot more than can be said for many belated sequels. The plot once again focuses on a kid's camp; this time Camp Manabe, which is close to Camp Arawak, where the atrocities of the previous films took place. The usual bunch of kids turn up for camp; but something is different this year as people are being picked off. Camp Councillor Ronnie, who worked at Camp Arawak, comes to believe that Angela Baker may be back.

The best thing about this film is definitely the atmosphere; it's light and the film never takes itself seriously, which ensures that watching it is a lot of fun. As was the case with the original Sleepaway Camp; there's a large variety of characters on display, and while most of them are only bit-parts; they are all at least memorable, which ensures that the action is varied. The closest thing to a lead role is taken by Michael Gibney (this his only film credit) and he plays one of the most annoying characters ever committed to celluloid. I doubt anyone could sit through this film and not be angry with this character; but the actor does play a good part. Naturally, the most important thing about the film is the murders; and true to the rest of the series, they are varied and interesting; highlights include death via burning oil, rats and there's also an amusing sequence with a sharpened broom handle. The original film was most famous for its shock ending; and there's one attempted here too. It doesn't have the same shock value, however, and the climax does come all too quickly. However, this is still a fun little slasher and I'm sure that fans of the series will appreciate it.