Rating: 
Summary: Camp is a Fun Two Hours
Review: I saw Camp when it first came out in the summer of 2003. I didn't know much about it, other than the fact that it was basically Fame at a summer camp. Little did I know going into the show how much I would truly enjoy it. Although the acting isn't perfect by any means (they're only kids) and the story has flaws of its own, the music is enough reason to watch it. From the opening number, "How Shall I See You Through My Tears" to powerful song of defiance "Here's Where I Stand," the actors and actresses sing with such beauty and power that it is hard to believe that they're only in their late teens. Anna Kendrick's rendition of the "Ladies Who Lunch" from Company is a) hilarious and b) shows off her true talent.When it comes to acting Robin De Jesus and Anna Kendrick definitely steal the show. They are very consistent and knowledgeable as to whom they are as characters. You can believe the internal struggle that these two are dealing with as the summer progresses. Most of the other actors also have moments where they shine, but none can hold a candle to, what seems like, the natural abilities of Robin and Anna. Robin's inner struggle as a teenage drag queen is touching as he struggles to discover who he truly is. While Anna rises from Beta girl to Alpha Queen when one of the other characters gets a little, well, sick. The show is definitely one that can enjoyed by many different people. If nothing more, it is an extremely fun show. If you're a member of the theatre community in any way, from high school to community, to professional, you can definitely enjoy watching these kids struggle through their lives and the natural tensions of the theatre world. If you go into this movie expecting to have a good time, I assure you, you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: I had a good time at this Camp...
Review: I really enjoyed this film. The songs were all catchy, and you can tell that the director and all of the people involved really loved what they were doing. I like seeing films with unknown actors that actually turn out this good. It was awesome! I've got to buy this DVD and find the soundtrack somewhere... I loved the whole thing about the kids at the Camp doing a presentation of WIT. That was great... Recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Utter tripe from tedious start to yawn-inducing finish.
Review: Phew. It's over, I can leave the theatre and go home. My wife worked at Stage Door Manor, where this was filmed - when I visited her I saw loads of VERY talented kids and some excellent shows. None of them were present when this absolutely dreadful movie was made. The story, characters, situations etc all reek of cliche. The direction is slow and boring, the photography is stunningly bad (as is the acting) and the whole film a total mess.
The dialogue had me and most of the audience I was with in (unintentional) giggles and the the purile story (which we've all seen so many times before) was the final straw. Yes, the film is funny, but not on purpose. It's one of those "so bad it's a must see" movies.
My wife wanted the dvd (nostaligia value) so here we are. The thought of the extended and deleted scenes is terrifying!! There's more of the movie? Horror of horrors. I will not be viewing the dvd when it arrives.
Take my advice, ignore all the other reviews that like this turkey. They're mad. Watch any other movie instead - you'll be doing yourself the biggest favour ever.
Rating:
Summary: Fun
Review: What a great movie! Sure, the production values are a bit lacking, but it's an indie. The story reminds some of us how silly adolescence was, and it's especially nostalgiac for anyone who has had a crush on a straight guy. The songs are very well sung, as well.
Rating: 
Summary: A Brainless "Fame"
Review: If watching a bunch of high-strung theatre star wannabes prancing around and hissing at one another is what you're in the mood for, "Camp" is made to order. I happened to be in the mood for it, but even so found that it tested my patience. For one thing, it's way too long for its subject matter. For another thing, it's all over the place as far as plot goes, with no dramatic center to anchor the story. O.k., I wasn't expecting "Citizen Kane," (hell, I wasn't even expecting "Legally Blonde"), but I do like my movies to be written with a modicum of competency. "Camp" flounders from one scene to the next, sort of focusing on three principal characters but not really even doing that, climaxing in a flashy dance number that looks like the final scene from "All That Jazz" mixed with an episode of "Star Search." What this movie is good for, however, are the musical numbers. Seeing teenagers belt out songs from "Follies" and "Company" is admittedly fun. And there are some life-affirming lessons about being true to yourself, etc., but these are even more diluted than your average after-school special. There are worse ways to spend a couple of hours, but you might want to consider re-watching "Fame" instead. Grade: C
Rating:
Summary: Rent first - buy later - if you like it. I wish I had.
Review: I read the reviews from the critics, and more importantly the ones from buyers at Amazon.com and I must say that I am really upset that I not only spent my money on this dreary, dry, sluggish and not very well acted. I guess somewhere along the line it was a good concept or idea, but what it turned out to be, in my opinion, was a bore-fest in "campy" humor. I will say that the lead actor, the person who plays Vlad, had the most potential. I suggest you rent this movie first before plunking down $22 on it. I wish I had.
Rating: 
Summary: What a mess!
Review: This movie is the reason we have video rental stores!! Had I believed most of the comments about this movie and purchased it I would have been very dissapointed! The purpose of this movie is to make the viewer laugh at the stupid situations that the director puts the cast in. I'm surprised that funding for this film would even be made available for such a grade school written script, it's just awful! The young cast however, is exceptional with the exception of all the adult roles.
Rating: 
Summary: grrrrreat
Review: this is a great movie. the one kid that plays patrick in the movie (patrick cubbage) lives in my hometown. i knew he was making a movie but i didnt know the name or the title. my sister and i were going to rent movies and rented this not knowing he was in it. it was a great movie, it had me laughing non stop. if you want to see one great movie this year that isnt that popular than this is the one!!!
Rating:
Summary: Bitter Disappointment
Review: This terrible film is about as entertaining as a second-year film student project. Which is not to say that it has NO entertainment value, just that it is very sporadic and scarce. To portray these characters as "real" is a stretch of the imagination at best. With one notable exception- Stephen Sondheim as himself-, every character in this picture is about as stereotypical as can be. From the "poor misunderstood homosexual", to the "nice girl who eveybody likes, but she somehow can't get the guy", to the "bitchy girl who treats everyone else like dirt" to the "hunky guy who, to everyone's surprise is not 100% perfect"...if they had been played any broader, they would have fallen into parody. And none of these characters are really compelling enough to carry a storyline. But this doesn't seem to be much of a concern, as there really doesn't appear to be a central story to be found. Just a lot of disjointed sequences that are bound together by having a common setting. The Show Numbers are decently staged for the most part, but there are so many R&B grooves that really have nothing to do with musical *theatre*, that I found them to be yet another distraction from what the film was trying to be...whcih I'm still trying to figure out. If you are looking for another teenage angst picture, albeit in a decidedly different setting, then "Camp" is for you. If you are looking for originality and a compelling story, you'd be better off to save your money.
Rating:
Summary: The camp in all of us
Review: I'm starting to believe that movies are made on a single scene that reaches into you and grabs you. If you find that scene, then the entire movie works for you. Such is true about the wonderfully charming movie, "Camp". The scene for this movie is early on, in the school bus that's transporting the various drama wannabees to Camp Ovation for the summer. The kdis are singing a dramatic, compelling showstopper song as we pan down the center aisle of the bus. The camera stops on a young blond boy singing his heart out, sitting next to a man, who turns to the boy and says, "Bud Miller: Sports Counselor". The boy looks at the man incredulously and says, "We have a SPORTS COUNSELOR?". Thus, this movie is made. Camp is a deliriously delightful romp with a bunch of multi-talents kids all spending their summer learning about the craft of acting, and the craft of life. Expected to perform a new show every two weeks, with a benefit at the end of the season seems ludicrous, but the kids pull it off, with great success. This film has many hearts to it, mainly in the characters of Ellen, Vlad, and Michael. As they interact with each other, each character avoids the strereotypical traps many teenager films fall into, and lets these characters live and breathe. There's not a candy coated kids in this film, and thanks to an excellent script, and equally excellent acting from the kids, it all becomes believable. The music is an intergral part to this movie, and somehow both propels the plot and supports it. I bought the CD the day after seeing the movie, and it still hasn't left my small collection of CDs I carry with me. I near tire of hearing some of the wonderful songs from the movie, including "Century Plant" and "How Shall I See You Through My Tears". My boyfriend regularly puts me in his book reviews, so now I'll do the same. We both saw this movie together, twice, in a small theater just off Dupont Circle in Washington DC. I now cannot watch this impressive film without thinking of him. Camp is a film that ultimately celebrates the diversity that life brings, and how our diversity is truly our strength.
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