Some will say that parody is the wrong word to use when
describing this movie. No, it’s not a dead on parody like the films of Mel
Brooks but the movie in the movie is definitely making fun of slasher films of
the 80s while giving them a quick wink. Best of all it works on so many levels.
Max Cartwright (Taissa Farmiga) is a young girl still
dealing with the death of her mother, actress Amanda Cartwright (Malin
Akerman), an actress known mostly for her most famous role as a scream queen in
a well-loved slasher film from the 80s called CAMP BLOODBATH. A few years have
passed and Duncan, the brother of Max’ best friend Gertie, presses Max to come
to a midnight screening of the film being shown nearby. The place is packed
with hardcore fans but as the movie plays something strange happens. The next
thing you know a fire breaks out, Max and friends head to the stage to try and
escape and suddenly their entire world changes.
Max and friends awake to find themselves in the woods
walking along a road. Still unaware of where they are, a van approaches filled
with camp counselors. They ask for directions and as they pull away Duncan
realizes what has happened. Somehow they’ve been thrown into a different
dimension and are now living in the world of the movie CAMP BLOOD. They can’t
escape and find themselves stuck in a loop of sorts as the same van with the
same counselors pulls up over and over again until they finally get inside and
go with them.
Things get especially weird for Max as the moment comes when
the character her mother plays wakes in the back of the van and Max gets the
chance to see her mother in the flesh once again. It’s a touching moment but
odd at the same time since we know this is a film. But is it? With Max and her
friends in the mix several things begin to change in what happens in the film. The
so called camp stud continues to hit on all the girls, the camp nympho still
wants to hit on the guys and Max’ mom’s character still is considering sleeping
with the stud. But because of the rules of all slasher films should she do so
her demise is guaranteed and Max will do anything to keep that from happening.
As the night goes on the attack by the film’s slasher, Billy
Murphy, continue to happen where they are scheduled to. But when he is
prevented from following through in one case another opens and things that
should be happening aren’t. Instead new killings take their place. But this is
a movie, right? Things can’t go wrong or you can prevent things from happening,
correct? Apparently not without consequences.
Once things begin rolling the counselors realize that this
group knows more than they thought. They band together now, both groups, and
hope to put a stop to the murders. For Max and her friends it’s not just about
preventing Billy from slicing and dicing everyone, it’s about trying to find a
way back to the real world as well while at the same time Max is trying not to
lose her mother all over again.
This movie works on so many levels. Not only does it work as
a horror film but the whole comedy based within works too. I haven’t had this
much fun with a horror film since watching DALE AND TUCKER VERSUS EVIL and that
was a film I watched numerous times. Odds are pretty good that will happen with
this one as well.
Everything looks great in this movie and the script is
filled with in jokes for die-hard fans, enough mystery to keep you guessing and
enough emotions to tug at your heartstrings when called upon. The performances
are much better than usually found in movies like this with standout
performances by Farmiga as well as Adam Devine as the oh so cool camp stud. His
lines alone will have you laughing through much of the movie.
Some movies you watch because you want to get something from
them. Others you watch for social redeeming value. Some because they are award
winning films. This movie you watch for one reason – to have fun. The fact it
that this and a bowl of fresh popcorn are all you need for a great night at the
movies. Pass the salt please.
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