I was excited for this movie since I saw the first trailer by accident while exploring the AMC App. a fake documentary about a CAMP that is THEATER THEMED?! I. AM. SO. THERE. When I heard that Theater Camp was coming to Hulu, I was beyond ecstatic. I wasted no time that night and I saw it with my friend. It did not disappoint (unlike A Haunting in Venice).
If you’re into theater in any regard, then you will absolutely love theater camp. If you’re offended by this for some reason, yeah, you’re a theater kid *cue sideways laughing emoji—the confidently laughing one.* My friend, who has not done any theater or knows any of it, loved it, also. He was able to follow along because, well, the story is pretty cut and paste. However, it works! I don’t think this movie needs anything more complex than the Camp is needed to be saved, so they’re going to put on a show. What makes this different from other movies like this like School of Rock is the almost-mockumentary style they chose for the storytelling format. Making this movie a fake documentary was a great idea.
The one complaint I have is that I wished that they were allowed to glance at the camera from time to time; that would’ve sold the entire thing. Alas, that didn’t happen at all, but the execution was still amazing. The actors also did a fantastic job, honestly, it’s very hard to tell who did a stand out job. They all looked like they were having the most fun being in the film, and that’s all that matters. However, shout out character, if I had to choose, would be Ayo Edibiri who has very little screen time, but she appears on camera, she is DROP DEAD HILARIOUS.
The movie worked for me, and I already know it won’t work for everyone. The humor and theme is right up my alley—SO FUNNY!!! I was rolling all over the couch with this one. The timing was spot on, which is a credit to both the writing, the actors, and the editing. Some jokes don’t necessarily land the way they were intended, but if you’re not looking for it, you won’t see it.
The story, like I mentioned, is a little generic—at times it feels like a VERY good pilot for a series. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if that did happen eventually, but I am not sure if I would want that. Perhaps, yes, but with some more development, but I thought this was a great one and done type of story. I wouldn’t complain if we did get a mockumentary sitcom of theater Camp, though… just saying.
For me, Theater Camp gets a 9.4.