The Age of Commercialism

Fantastic!

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Sleepaway Camp 2 (1988)*** (out of 4) A reformed and "rebuilt" Angela (Pamela Springsteen) finds herself being a councilor at a summer camp where she hopes to bond with all her kids but that isn't so easy. While she gets along with the good girl (Renee Estevez) she butts heads with anyone who she doesn't considering pure including the slut of the camp (Valerie Hartman).SLEEPAWAY CAMP was a good slasher from the early 80s that managed to have one of the greatest plot twists in cinema history. No matter what you thought of the film's quality there was no denying that the ending packed quite a punch so when a sequel was announced many horror fans couldn't wait to see what they did with it. Instead of just trying to deliver pure slasher fare, the filmmakers decided to add some comedy and self homage because there's no doubt that this thing isn't meant to be taken too serious. While there are some gory deaths scattered throughout the picture, it's clear that this was just meant to be light entertainment.For the most part this film succeeds for a number of reasons but the biggest is the fact that it doesn't take itself serious. I really liked the lighter tone of the picture and the fact that you're actually rooting for the killer is a nice touch. After all, who doesn't like Angela here? Even when she gets fired for killing so many people, you still feel bad for her and go against those who let her go. Of course, a lot of credit has to go to Springsteen who is certainly fun and entertaining here. She really does pull off that good girl quality and makes for a villain you love. Both Estevez and Hartman are also very good in their supporting roles and the rest of the cast members are fun as well.The film really does have a great straight-to-video feel to it and it manages to be funny and charming at the same time. There's some great humor scattered throughout including a rather outrageous AIDS joke. The death scenes have some blood scattered around them but for the most part they're more creative than anything else including a toilet sequence, which is hard to top. SLEEPAWAY CAMP 2 isn't a masterpiece and it's certainly not Oscar-worthy but it's still a good little gem that continues to charm over twenty-years after it was made.

Angela Baker is back in "Sleepaway Camp II," but this time with a sex change, and a hunger for killing immoral teens at the summer camp in which she works. Among her arsenal of hunting tools are knives, fire, a chainsaw, guitar strings, and battery acid!While the original "Sleepaway Camp" was a B-movie through and through, it maintained a level of seriousness and a sophisticated tension throughout; it's a remarkably dark slasher film, thematically and visually. "Sleepaway Camp II," on the other hand, trades in Robert Hiltzik's macabre chops for cult director Michael Simpson's self-referential slasher schlock. "Sleepaway Camp II" is a completely uninhibited and shameless sequel that derails the seriousness in the first film, opting for straightforward gags and black comedy. The film does not really have a plot so to speak; there is no twist either, which, for being the offspring of a film that made its name because of these things, is kind of surprising. It is really just a platform for Angela to butcher teenagers in a ridiculous number of different ways. There are gore effects o'plenty, and many of them are quite good; some of them quite silly. It's not a film that can be taken seriously by any stretch of the imagination, but because of that, it is a rare piece of entertainment that is aware of its utter implausibility and yet completely engaged with it. Pamela Springsteen goofs along through her role and is often hilarious but never frightening, and the supporting cast is well above the cut.As a sequel, "Sleepaway Camp II" is out there, but as a self-aware spoof of films like "Friday the 13th," it's really quite amusing. There is no intellectually stimulating material here, but it's a good way to goof off for an hour and a half. That said, it pales in comparison to the substance of the original film, with its twisted plot and ruthless conclusion. The biggest highlight here? Stabbed in the back and drowned in a leech infested porta-potty. How low can you go? 6/10.

Angela Baker (Pamela Springsteen) has undergone years of therapy, electro-shock and sexual reassignment surgeries, and finally landed herself a job in the last place she should be working -- Camp Rolling Hills.How did this strange sequel come to be? It can be credited to one man. Producer Jerry Silva thought the first part was too dark, so he bought the rights to the franchise to give them more of a comedy angle. (Many see no connection between parts one and two due to Angela being recast, but those people are overlooking Silva.)While one wishes Felissa Rose had taken this role, Pamela Springsteen (Bruce's sister) does a fine job. And while she may now be a successful photographer, horror fans will always recall her role in the "Sleepaway Camp" sequel. She seems to have distanced herself from the film, unfortunately.The film is more campy humor (pun intended) rather than campy horror, especially with the Brat Pack references (not coincidentally connected to the fact Emilio Estevez's sister Renee is a main actress here). Some versions have more gore cut than others, and I believe Scream Factory has the most uncensored edition (while Anchor Bay had the most trimmed). Overall, the film is not even that bloody, though, and could probably have passed for PG-13 if Valerie Hartman was not taking her top off every five minutes.The film is especially campy when some lines are delivered awkwardly, almost like a soap opera. This means either the actors involved were bad, not enough takes were made, or most likely both. Director Michael Simpson acknowledges the total shooting time was about two weeks and they could not afford to hire "real" actors.Interestingly, while they were largely free of union rules, they had the Department of Labor looking over their shoulders to keep the child actors safe. Because it was delivered by a minor, one line strangely had to have the word "nips" changed to "party hats". Another actor needed a stunt double for a makeout scene, and a third could not be exposed to the violence of their character's death, so they could be involved with their death scene at all!The film stands out for its 80s metal soundtrack, something that was not uncommon for horror films. Some, like "Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors", may be better known for their Dokken songs than their actual plots. The songs are not as iconic here, but have that same 80s metal edge that will put you in the right mood. Bonus points for including the Dead Milkmen. If I recall correctly, this was a year before their big break.And keep your eyes peeled for Walter Gotell (playing Uncle John), the veteran actor from "The African Queen" and the James Bond franchise. How he sunk this low in his career is a mystery, but he adds just a hint of gravitas to the picture that no one else seems to be able to.As they always do, Scream Factory has pulled all the stops for this release. The films come out in a DVD-BD combo pack, and are loaded with extras. Writer Fritz Gordon and director Michael Simpson offer an insightful commentary. There is also a lengthy documentary with interviews from just about everyone. A featurette exploring the locations. And even a short film called "Whatever Happened to Molly?" Unfortunately, Pamela Springsteen declined to be involved, but they make the best of it.

Michael Simpson's "Sleepaway Camp II" has an incredible modesty that I very much appreciate within a horror movie. It doesn't try to act any smarter than it actually is, it never tries to be anything it's not, it's just an incredibly entertaining little B-movie that gives the audience what it wants. It's basically from the "Evil Dead"-school, meaning that it mostly skips the introductions and gets straight to the stuff you watch it for. Who has time to find out about backgrounds when there are so many people around to kill? The movie's structure is pretty monotonous and the plot is so non-existent that you could probably put the scenes in a different order without anybody noticing, but who cares when the kills are so lovely? The original "Sleepaway Camp" was about a hundred times more shocking than this will ever be, but this sequel is just so much more fun.