MEOW!
Nostalgic Insights: I don't remember seeing this film back when I was a wee young lad growing up in the land of Vernon, CT, although I do remember my dad watching it at one point of his life, and he told me that I should've checked it out sometime. So naturally, because I'm reviewing movie musicals in the month of March, I decided to give this one a shot.
What do I think of it today?
Critical Insights: Unlike my reviews of Annie and Beauty and the Beast, I'll keep this review short and sweet. Camp has a great concept; a bunch of kids going to musical theater camp over the summer presents some opportunities for emotional depth and a sense of wonder. Sadly, despite having its moments, it's a concept that is never fully realized; it isn't sure on whether it is intended to be a personal tale or an over-the top energy ball. And whatever positives I had about the first two-thirds of the film is almost completely undermined by a third act with a largely unnecessary plot twist.
But first, let's take a look at the positives of this film, because there are a couple of moments that really do shine. It's always a pleasure to witness Anna Kendrick express her musicality, especially when she performs "The Ladies Who Lunch" from Company; it's one of the more satisfying moments of the film. There are also some tender moments where the film takes the time to develop some of the characters, particularly when Vlad (Daniel Letterle) and Michael (Robin de Jesus of In The Heights fame) discover a few aspects about each other. I do see a few of my friends in some of the characters depicted in this film, and it's in those characters where they are respected and not treated like half of a dimension.
Oh, and I won't say where, but Stephen Sondheim makes a cameo. That deserves half-a-bacon strip already!
Unfortunately, the electrons outweigh the protons (yes, musicals = scientific observations). This film cannot decide whether or not it wants to be a personal story about summer theater camp or a, hey-hey, *campy* musical about the same subject; trying to mesh the two together would never work for a film like this. Because of this, there's a lack of energy and soul to the proceedings. Also, some of the film's songs, most of them taken from other musical productions, are not given the memorable cover treatment that it should. And the third act made me ANGRY-BIRD-angry. Without giving too much away, they not only borrow one of the most pointless cliches you can throw into a film; it undermines any positive development between the characters that we've come to know under the course of two hours.
Overall, Camp is a great concept that ultimately ends up as a dissapointment, but at the same time, it's not a film worth cursing about. Well, except for the third act, but other than that, it's meh. If you're bored, and have nothing else to do in the comfort of your own room, I'd say you could do worse, but at the same time, you could also do so much better. Like a certain film that will be reviewed next time.
For now, out of five bacon strips, I give Camp
Until next time,
CATS DON'T DANCE
and MEOW, of course!
No comments:
Post a Comment