When it comes to the subgenre of slashers flicks, I have seen plenty of them, and their quality runs the gambit from stellar to atrocious, some show true originality like Scream [1996] to the titans Friday the 13th [1980] and Halloween [1978] to the classic My Bloody Valentine [1981]; therefore, when another one is made there’s competition to be waged. This brings us to Camp Dread, originally entitled “Dead T.V.” directed and written by B. Harrison Smith (ZK: Elephant’s Graveyard [2015]) attempts to separate itself from not catering to the throwback concept to return to heyday of the 80s, often found in these films of today. Nevertheless, the film takes cues and inspiration from both Sleepaway Camp [1983] and a bit of Robert Hiltzik himself in regards to the lead actor role; while using some fondness for this era and the self-awareness hatched from Scream. Meanwhile, the film has Eric Roberts playing a role that almost appears penned just for him in mind which likely translated in easier distribution with the thanks to Breaking Glass Pictures and Image Entertainment.
The story deploys the reality television trope as once big-time horror director from the 80s and responsible for legendary trilogy Summer Camp Julian Barrett (Eric Roberts (The Tomb [2009])), seeks to resurrect his career by attempting a reboot and seeking to redeem himself for past actions. He has reopened “Camp Sunfish” for ten rejects and outcasts for young adults that have become embarrassments for their families and given the choice of jail, rehab of this grueling camp. Sheriff Donlyn (Danielle Harris (Ghost of Goodnight Lane [2014])) has reassured him that the locals are happy to see the camp is back in service even if connected to reality tv program. One thing to motivate them from just walking off is the opportunity to win $1-million, but they all must stay until they get booted from the camp. He encourages his former scream queen turned therapist Rachel Steele (Felissa Rose (Victor Crowley [2017])) to encourage the participants to match wits and skills in game of last one standing gets what they deserved and earned. Barrett knows the money generates action and through personal lusts of greed although another former collaborator John Hill (Brian Gallagher (Bloodrunners [2017])) sees through his so-called good intentions and leaves abruptly. One endures the customary round table introductions in the film a get-to-know your victim checklist. Julian’s has secret motives, primarily revenge as he blames others for his downfall, loss reputation, and unable to make the fourth installment of Summer Camp due something suspect on a set. However, strangely the story doesn’t use his pain and self-loathing as motivation for central theme, rather focus on using camera for random death scenes and even then, it’s nearly impossible to capture all the angles for a film, in lies the secret reasoning, and for that one will need to see the movie.
Cleve Hall (Terror Night [1989]) and Costance Hall (Zombie Apocalypse [2011]) handled the special effects and makeup – the result sadly is a mixed bag, nothing horrible just limited by the budgetary constraints. Nevertheless, the audience is treated to a smorgasbord of killings that includes traditional stabbings and slicings, a boring poisoned sandwich, countless minor wounds, a beheading, busted bones, a bare-wired garrote, beating one to death with prosthetic limb and the perhaps the craziest death ever used on film a catapulting a head to smash someone else. Bonkers! While the storyline is filled with plot holes, and the contestants are unimportant, merely fodder for slaughter, Roberts sells his commitment to role, a sly filmmaker with cunning, huge ego, needed for the business model he created. Sadly Harris, is more name only recognition.
The entire premise is set primarily around a revenge story though how it comes about feels more the delinquents knocking each other out to claim the top prize and Julian enjoying the spoils. If you hope for homage and humor directed at the slasher genre and camps in general you’ll need to see Final Girls [2015]. Nonetheless, the film is not a complete waste there are some watchable moments to provide a mediocre entertainment, and again Roberts does a fine, respectable performance, just wish for more from his character though that comes from a script which appears to suffer from self-inflicted wounds.
TAGLINES:
- What Would You Do For Your Fifteen Minutes of Fame?
- Pitch your tent, dig your grave.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2419354/
IMDb Rating: 3.9/10
Baron’s Rating: 3.5/10