Return to Sleepaway Camp (2008) (V)

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:

Deron Miller auditioned for the role of "Mickey"

Goofs:

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

Quotes:

Mickey: [mocking Charlie] "Hey Mickey, what's with the fryer? There's more oils on it than in it!" Why don't you suck my dick you old bastard...

Movie Connections:

Featured in Return to Sleepaway Camp: Behind the Scenes (2008) (V)

Soundtrack:

Croquet

A mixed bag

As far as horror movies go, Sleepaway Camp is definitely one of my favorites. The news that the creator of the original would be coming back to make this sequel got me excited.

And then we waited. And waited some more.

Now it's finally here, so the question now is whether or not it actually delivers. The answer? Yes and no.

When the movie started, I hated it. I guess I expected more than an opening scene of lighting farts. But the real problem relies primarily in the main character, Alan. Both due to his acting and the stuff he does and what happens to him, it's impossible to care. I couldn't figure out if we were supposed to care or hate the guy who picks on people but also gets picked on. He just ends up annoying. Yes, the acting wasn't all that great in the original, but we did actually care about the main characters. Here, there's nothing.

I was, in all honesty, ready to give up on it, but stuck with it just because of a last sliver of hope. And it did get better. Once the body count began to rise, it really improved. What we ended up with was a fun slasher with inventive kills that I was really into by the time the time the climax hit.

Don't expect much in the way of characters from the original. Ricky is there for basically a cameo, although Paul DeAngelo's Ronnie has a prominent role. And as for the ending, well, it sure isn't as shocking as the first.

But for fans of the original, this one is worth a shot. I gave it a chance, and I'm glad I did.

Now I'm ready for the next one.