I have mixed feelings about Camp Cucamonga. On the plus side, it's got a huge amount of recognizable faces. It's packed with 80s fashion. In fact, it's oozing 80s at every turn. There's even a conspicuous reference to Bo Jackson.
On the negative side, it's overly predictable. It broadcasts everything that happens - except for the very end - well in advance. The script is absurd in how little character development happens. Characters are caricatures.
I find it easiest to write about this movie by comparing it to my favorite camp movie, Poison Ivy (1985). Poison Ivy contains most of the same elements as Camp Cucamonga - the fat kid - the inept camp director - the shy kid who eventually succeeds and wins friends (CC actually splits this into two parts) - a counselor romance between a responsible female and a philandering male, which involves the male letting go of his womanizing ways. - the athlete - color war / battle of the bunks - breaking into the cabin of the camp director and enjoying their food. - spying on the girls, hoping to 'sneak a peak'
The biggest problem is that everything that happens in Camp Cucamonga is over-the-top. There isn't anything incidental. One of my favorite scenes in Poison Ivy is at night, when we just see a series of short conversations around the boy's bunk. The conversations establish character, but they aren't written to be overly witty.
The direction is a little annoying. Like everything else in the movie, it's saturated with 80s stylistic choices. Some off-center angles, some fast cuts. and overly close shots on certain characters, particularly Candace Cameron, who comes across looking like Miss Piggy - overdone hair and lipstick, and her face is made to look much wider than usual in these closeups.
The movie isn't as enjoyable in any serious way, which is a real weakness when it comes to guilty pleasure movies. This is, however an important artifact because of the incredible cast that was assembled.
This movie is most likely to resonate well with people who got to see this when it originally aired, but it's a fascinating look into the 80s, and as such, is worth some attention.
The movie itself is unremarkable. No special performances, no clever writing or insightful work. But it's fun enough to keep your attention for an hour and a half.
As it has been remarked, the rap video is sort of a jaw-dropping moment. Look it up on youtube, and that will let you know if you need to see the rest of the movie.
On the negative side, it's overly predictable. It broadcasts everything that happens - except for the very end - well in advance. The script is absurd in how little character development happens. Characters are caricatures.
I find it easiest to write about this movie by comparing it to my favorite camp movie, Poison Ivy (1985). Poison Ivy contains most of the same elements as Camp Cucamonga - the fat kid - the inept camp director - the shy kid who eventually succeeds and wins friends (CC actually splits this into two parts) - a counselor romance between a responsible female and a philandering male, which involves the male letting go of his womanizing ways. - the athlete - color war / battle of the bunks - breaking into the cabin of the camp director and enjoying their food. - spying on the girls, hoping to 'sneak a peak'
The biggest problem is that everything that happens in Camp Cucamonga is over-the-top. There isn't anything incidental. One of my favorite scenes in Poison Ivy is at night, when we just see a series of short conversations around the boy's bunk. The conversations establish character, but they aren't written to be overly witty.
The direction is a little annoying. Like everything else in the movie, it's saturated with 80s stylistic choices. Some off-center angles, some fast cuts. and overly close shots on certain characters, particularly Candace Cameron, who comes across looking like Miss Piggy - overdone hair and lipstick, and her face is made to look much wider than usual in these closeups.
The movie isn't as enjoyable in any serious way, which is a real weakness when it comes to guilty pleasure movies. This is, however an important artifact because of the incredible cast that was assembled.
This movie is most likely to resonate well with people who got to see this when it originally aired, but it's a fascinating look into the 80s, and as such, is worth some attention.
The movie itself is unremarkable. No special performances, no clever writing or insightful work. But it's fun enough to keep your attention for an hour and a half.
As it has been remarked, the rap video is sort of a jaw-dropping moment. Look it up on youtube, and that will let you know if you need to see the rest of the movie.