Reviewed by Colleen Wanglund
Camp Dread (2014)
Directed by Harrison Smith
Runtime 94 minutes
Written and directed by Harrison Smith, Camp Dread stars Eric Roberts as Julian Barrett, a washed-up director of a trilogy of hit horror films who has a scheme for another “big” project. Barrett brings together a group of troubled twenty-somethings who were given the choice of jail or boot camp, and two of his former stars for a reality show. The camp is actually the site of Barrett’s original three films, a working summer camp in a small town overseen by Sheriff Donlyn, played by the lovely Danielle Harris. The “contestants” will have to get the camp ready to open, as well as take part in challenges, go to therapy sessions, and risk elimination. That elimination becomes all too real rather quickly.
For a B-movie, Camp Dread isn’t too bad, even though the plot has some implausible aspects to it. First, the star of Barrett’s horror “summer camp” trilogy, Rachel Steele (Felissa Rose) just happens to be an actual therapist now. Second, most, if not all of the young people have exhibited criminal behavior. Why would a judge allow them to participate in a reality show with a million dollar prize? I also found there to be too many characters, resulting in poor character development. How am I supposed to care about any of these kids when the bad stuff starts happening if I don’t like any of them? And most of them, I REALLY didn’t like. I liked Roberts as Barrett—Roberts always plays a fantastic sleazeball–but I was disappointed in Danielle Harris’ limited screen time, although I did enjoy what was done with her character.
The Special FX were good for some of the more interesting kills and overall I like the premise of Camp Dread. There were some interesting twists and the pace did pick up in the second half of the movie. I took it less as a serious revival of the 1980s slasher flick and more as a tongue-in-cheek homage, and that made the movie fun for me. It’s not the best B horror movie I’ve seen, but it’s not the worst, either. I think if you get the chance to see it, go for it. I found it entertaining, for what it was.
SOURCE: More Horror – Read entire story here.