Happy Campers

I guess since it's summer, I can't help to keep returning to the summer camp movies. Today, I'm going to look back at one of the more darkly comic spins on the genre, 2001's Happy Campers.

Heathers scribe Daniel Waters made his directorial debut with this feature about a group of teenage camp counselors who are left in charge after their strict camp director, Peter Stormare, gets struck by lightning. The rules go out the window as the teens try to make it one, unforgettable summer.

Being a fan of Waters' work, I remember really looking forward to this. When I finally saw it, I thought, it's ok, but it's no Heathers. Looking back now however, I realize what a silly thought that is. Very few movies are as great as Heathers. Happy Campers definitely has it's moments, and Waters has assembled a pretty good cast that includes the late Brad Renfro from Ghost World, Tusk's Justin Long, and Emmanuelle's Domique Swain.

I think Waters really comes into his own as a director with his sophmore effort Sex And Death, 101. But as first films go, this one is still entertaining enough.

It's available on dvd.