It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

"Welcome to 'Camp Bleeding Dove', where seven hot-blooded college freshmen are left in charge of dozens of high-maintenance campers. When 'Chief Oberon' (Peter Stormare), the camp's only responsible adult, is hit by lightning, it's a hormonal free-for-all as the counselors 'Wichita' (Brad Renfro) and 'Wendy' (Dominique Swain) score with each other while trying to control the underage masses. At the end of 40 days, everyone is guaranteed memories that will last a lifetime!" promises the DVD sleeve description. Debuting director Daniel Waters' teen sex comedy is alternately appealing, embarrassing, teasing, and stupid. Unfortunately, emphasis is firmly on the latter.** Happy Campers (1/21/01) Daniel Waters ~ Brad Renfro, Dominique Swain, Jaime King, Justin Long

i love the bitter un-Hollywood ending...life sucks and this movie tells it like it is....but secretly i weep b/c i myself am a hopeless romantic *sniffle, sniffle* sigh this movie really touches on that great feeling you have as a child...and the torturous existence of growing up. I haven't seen heathers as of now...but this movie makes me want to see it. These actors do a very superb acting job(even if the dialouge is somewhat typical at times). All in all it can be said that this movie will make you feel and probably make you remember that first real love...and it i slipped through your hands I highly recommend this movie to anyone who has ever felt frustrated by life.....

OK, I admit I only bought this movie because I have a tiny crush on Justin Long... but in nearly every aspect this is a great film. So much character development without giving away too much of everyone's past. I think I remember every single one of the counselors and camp-goers from when I went to summer camp.I remember the geek counselor who couldn't get any respect, the director who could have been a drill sergeant (in spite of my never having been in the military), and all the kids with the strange "Don't touch me" quirks. I even remember the gay counselor, which brings me to my only qualm about the movie: Who cast the cook???There is no way that a handsome 20-something gay guy who has the nerve to make a bet with the hottest guy in camp in order to go down on him would have gone for a "romantic picnic" with that cook just because he's the only other gay guy there. I am well aware that it was to emphasize the effect of all the counselors going their separate ways, but seriously... give me a break here!

What so many have tried, works only here. "Wet Hot American Summer" tried it and failed, "Scream", although scary and brilliantly referential, lost its emotions on the way, and Kevin Smiths "Mallrats" caught but a few glimpses of it. Only Daniel Waters managed to pull it off. Here it is ladies and gents, a heartfelt homage to something (seemingly) impossible to pay tribute to - late seventies/early eighties teen flicks (camp or slasher factor put aside).Lacking a strong narrative, "Happy Campers" seems to be drifting along without a clear flow, but the way the movie changes gears from obvious dumb-founded Teen-Comedy to a rather insightful character study is just amazing. To direct something bad is easy, to direct something good is hard, but to take something that was once bad and elevate it to a meaningful and even touching movie about adolescence is next to impossible. Sure the odd bits and pieces sometimes don't fit together, but anything this loosely structured is bound to have a few things falling by the way side.Nevertheless, I think only a handful of people could have been able to get away with a movie of this sort. Waters with the "Heathers" credit under his wings is definitely among the chosen ones. And after not having been connected with any kind of movie, at least credit wise, for almost a decade, this directorial debut contains all the trademarks that made him a cult hero for so many aspiring screenwriters (me being one of them).The Verdict: The same that applies to "Heathers" - either you get it or you don't. If you do, I should agree with some of the other reviewers that this movie has cult potential. If it leaves you cold...it wasn't for you, but I hope it will some day.