Sleepaway Camp (1983)

by Rizzy

Sleepaway Camp films that I saw was actually the second, which still might be my favorite for cheese factor, but nothing beats the original for shock ending. Seriously, this is one of my fave films of all time to show to groups of people who've never seen it before.  It's worth it to see their faces during the final scene. And all in all, it stands on it's own as just a classic slasher film. If you're a fan of Friday the 13th style slasher fun, then I'd definitely recommend this movie to you.

The scariest thing in this film is easily this woman right here, the mother and aunt of Ricky and Angela (respectively). This woman is just so over the top that it's down right creepy.  I mean look at her and then you hear her Sugary Sweet voice and just, gah! She'll give you the shivers, I promise, but in that really good and fun way.  She's not in the film very much, but every scene she's in, she steals completely.

The death scenes are very well done. All you see is the little kid hands pulling what I like to call EXTREME pranks. What makes a prank EXTREME? Any prank that will almost certainly end in the death of the person being pranked. Very fitting for a camp Slasher film. One thing this show does really well is the pacing of deaths in the film. They start out with just an injury and then slowly build.  It gives you a good sense that a lot of the deaths could have been avoided had people been more cautious and concerned about the well being of the campers. I like films that have that slower build.  Where you really get a feel for a character before they die instead of just having mindless death scene after death scene.

Another thing this film did well? Make up.  I mean look at this guy, how fantastic is that with the big boils on his face? A lot of slasher films spend less on this and it really shows in just how fakey they look.  This show may go overboard on time, but it still looks good. I don't mind over the top as long as it looks real. When a good portion of why people go to see Slasher films is for the deaths, it's nice to see when a movie lives up to them.

The supporting cast does an amazing job in this film, too. Such as Judy who plays kinda of the camp bitch/slut. She's so stuck up and full of herself, really a fun character to play, I'd imagine, and she really does the job well. There's a lot of strong characters in this film that you love to hate and spend the film wondering how they are going to bite it. Seriously, this film hits so many marks on the "what makes a good slasher" film list that it makes me actually want to formally write one out just to show how this excels....

And then there's Angela.  The quiet, shy, timid, etc girl who hardly says a word the entire film, but just sits quietly and keeps to herself. I don't even know what to say about her, but that you really HAVE to watch this film just to see what I'd want to say. Her character really makes the entire movie worthwhile and pushes up from a "Really good Slasher film" to a "Slasher film you really have to see.".

I have the Sleepaway Camp Survival Kit.  That's right, I needed the full collection. Of all the box sets that I own, this one definitely gets the most party play though.  If you're looking for a fun slasher film to watch with a group of friends, then I'd definitely recommend renting this one. It's definitely an experience, though don't be surprised if some of your friends get a little nervous about what other films you might have up your sleeve for future movie nights. ;)