Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Aug 10, 2011 11:56:14 GMT -5
Plot:At the end of every summer, the children of a Christian community from a suburb of New Jersey attend Camp Hope. They travel deep into the woods far from any distractions the world provides. Here, the children are taught the ways of the Lord, the perils of the flesh, and the horror of the Devil. A charismatic priest leads them in their training. But, he unknowingly has brought something with him, something evil. What was supposed to be a safe place, a spiritual retreat has now turned into nightmare that not even faith can end.
Cast:
Jesse Eisenberg
Spencer Treat Clark
Andrew McCarthy
Dana Delany
Connor Paolo
Bruce Davison
James McCaffrey
Christopher Denham
Drew Powell
Valentina de Angelis
Will Denton
Karen Summerton
Ato Essandoh
Sasha Neulinger
Heather Schacht
Charlie Hewson
Chris Northrop
Joseph Vincent Cordaro
Ryan Knowles
Gary DeMichele
Ann Kinner
Laura Jean Kirk
Christopher Tracy
Caroline London
Joel Mack
Jaron Downs
Cory M. Hopf
Brett Otis
Stefanie Field
Kennan Budnik
My Thoughts:Mediocre scare flick.
Review:"Camp Hell", from director George Van-Buskirk, creates the rare opportunity for itself, of becoming an indie horror movie that could be talked about for years to come. Ala "Laid To Rest", or "Trick R' Treat". But the movie just drops the ball in so many areas, that it seals it's own fate early on. And never looks back. The film follows a group of kids who are taken to a fundamentalist christian retreat. Their respective parents and families force them to go to this retreat every year, at summer's end.
Not that they are kicking and screaming not to go, but most of these kids don't really have a choice considering they're teenagers and all. Anyways, this summer's visit is different though. There's apparently a demon that has come along for the ride to the Christian Camp. And it is there to terrorize the camps occupants, kill a few people, possess others, you know...demon stuff. Or is it? That's just where "Camp Hell", strangely titled...because the only "hell" I was privy to was wondering what exactly the "hell", was supposed to be even remotely scary about this movie?
The demon in this movie is basically just a creepy voice, that keeps affecting the dreams of one kid in particular, and utters the phrase..."I hate you". The film in general is really the story of hyper religion, and how it cannot supress the curiosities and actions of the average white-American teenager. Somehow, the script must've been tweaked a bit by some joker who thought a handful of scenes with a creepy voice in it, would suffice to sway it into the "horror movie" basket. But in reality, it didn't. The movie only goes true "horror" in the final 15 minutes.
The final 15 minutes...of a 1 hour and 40 minute movie!! Usually, in films that aren't gonna scare you, or atleast try to, there's a lead up to the movies horror-tinged finale. But not in "Camp Hell". The film is too busy showing teenage love scenes, and sleep-inducing dialogue. To be bothered with any strong lead up to it's finish at all. Jesse Eisenberg being in the movie doesn't necessarily help it's cause. As his character is pretty boring and doesn't get much of anything done in the process of the movie.
The priest character is interesting, in a non-creepy kind of way. But his sermons and speeches get old by late Act 2. So by the time the tail end of act 2 rolls around, you are watching this movie for one sole purpose...to see how it all ends. To see if, after a boring hour and 30 minutes or so, something cool, edgy, and powerful...can be mustered up to cap off the picture. Not gonna spoil whether that happens or not here, for those who actually wanna rent this movie for weekend viewing. But I'd speak for myself in saying I wasn't impressed.
Don't get me wrong. I got the films message, what it was trying to convey, it's underlying themes and all of that writer stuff. Metaphors and such. But in any horror movie, there has to be balance. If, you're gonna add drama elements in there too. And go extra-heavy on the storytelling aspects. And not shred the script for blood, guts, and boobs. This film did all of the above, except...succeed in scaring me, creeping me out, making me think. As well as keeping the intrigue levels high enough to keep me interested.
The movie seems to act as an elderly person on occasion. Forgetting it's a horror movie most of the time, just like old people someone forget their car keys. And that's where it fails most. And when you add in the lack of suspense, scares, chills, blood, gore, excitement, entertainment value, and dialogue that doesn't act as an elephant tranqulizer, well...it's an epic fail at that point. "Camp Hell" isn't a total waste on the good storytelling side. It's a total waste on the horror movie side. And since it wades in that particular pond, my viewing-experience with this movie can only be described as a tragic drowning.
Positives:Good storytelling, and an overall good idea for a story.
Negatives:The story crashes and burns without anythingto pad it like true suspense, chills, or any remote entertainment value. Any and all attempts at being a horror film or a horror/drama hybrid are a total FAIL. Heavy on drama, lite on horror, and all attempts to be horror are quite pathetic. The dialogue is weak as well. And the characters easily become very repetitive.
Overall:One and a half stars out of four.