DVD Movie Rating for: Happy Campers

2 Out Of 5

Movie Plot of: Happy Campers

When a summer camp director gets injured, the diverse group of college freshmen counselors take charge and spice up the everyday routine of the camp.

DVD Production Details of: Happy Campers

Director: Daniel Waters

Format: Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby

Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Features:
Full-screen and widescreen anamorphic formats

Cast of the movie: Happy Campers

• Brad Renfro .... Wichita
• Dominique Swain .... Wendy
• Keram Malicki-Sánchez .... Jasper
• Emily Bergl .... Talia
• Jordan Bridges .... Adam
• James King .... Pixel
• Justin Long .... Donald
• Peter Stormare .... Oberon
• Graham Frye .... Charlie The Cook
• Ryan Adams .... Bad Boy Billy
• Ashley Banks .... Nasty Natalie
• Monica Bugajski .... Millie
• Trevor Christensen .... Wichitaesque Wes
• Elizabeth Dray .... Hayley
• Xavier Hernandez .... Upper Income Lawrence

Photo Gallery of the movie: Happy Campers

Click on one of the thumbnails to see the full size, high resolution photographs

Reviews of the movie: Happy Campers

Well, I was quite surprised when I saw that this little-known (or less than that) film only recieved a rating of 5 out of 10. The minute this movie was over, I hopped onto Amazon.com and ordered a copy for myself. I didn't even return it to the video store until my own copy came. I have never been this pleasantly surprised with a movie. The film starts off seemingly as just another teen movie where stereotypes and cliches abound. The humor even seems a little slapstick at first, not really my kind of humor. But once this film gets going, it doesn't let up. It takes you in and makes you look at things differently. Some of the quotes from this movie are the most touching and profound lines I've heard from a film since "The Breakfast Club" (still, my all-time FAVORITE movie), such as "When it comes to the ritual of growing up, sometimes you smile because you're happy. Other times, you smile just because you've survived. But hey, a smile is a smile." Those lines show that this movie goes deeper than just another teen flick and in the end, you have a feel-good feeling that stays with you for a while. I think that those of you who have viewed this film and gave it less than a seven need to view it again. But this time, look closer. . .let it take you in the way a good film should.

Happy Campers vacillates from being a ridiculous parody of summer-camp life to being a genuine examination of adolescence. Camp counselors Brad Renfro (Apt Pupil, The Client) and Dominique Swain (Face/Off, Lolita) have very different approaches (she's super-perky, he's a moody rebel), but find themselves irresistibly attracted to each other as the camp falls into chaos over the course of the summer. What keeps this basic plot from being completely cheesy is a basic honesty about youth--Happy Campers doesn't shy away from the cruelty, sexual frustration, and general awkwardness of being a teen. Despite its inconsistencies of tone, the movie is a more compelling portrait of adolescence than any John Hughes movie, and the attractive, likable cast--also featuring James King (Pearl Harbor) and Emily Bergl (The Rage: Carrie 2)--will keep you engaged.