Camp Pleasant Lake has all the makings of a juicy slasher. A protagonist with a traumatic backstory. A bevy of baddies who deserve their comeuppance. And the classic slasher backdrop of a campsite far from civilization, just waiting to soak up some blood.
Does it deliver? Yes and no.
When it comes to slashers, it’s best not to dig too deeply into the logic of the story. After all, exactly where was Jason hiding all those years before mommy dearest lost her head? But back to the slasher at hand.
We have two youngsters, Echo and Jasper, who through an extended flashback we learn endure a horrific breakup of their family. The siblings are separated with little known regarding what happened to either of them.
Now fast-forward 20 years to a fortune-seeking couple hoping to monetize on the Echo mystery and public’s love of horror. How, you ask? By opening up a campsite that focuses on the lore of Echo where campers can experience firsthand her wrath with the “murders” of camp employees.
Oh, and those employees just happen to be the grownup versions of the adolescent bullies who tortured Echo and Jasper as kids at said campsite. We’re also treated to a Sawyer family-lite ala The Texas Chain Saw Massacre who yearn for a daughter, making Echo’s disappearance not so mysterious after all.
Still with me?
All to say, the draw of the flick isn’t so much the plot as it is the gruesome fun the filmmakers and cast have with the material. Viewers also get to enjoy a few horror heavy-hitters. The cast includes Bonnie Aarons as Echo’s “adopted” mother, Michael Paré as the camp owner, and Devanny Pinn as a late-arriving camper. All know the assignment and carry it out splendidly.
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But the A+ student in Camp Pleasant Lake is none other than Jonathan Lipnicki as a deranged Jasper. Little, sweet, adorable Ray from Jerry Maguire he is no more. Yes, Kelly Lynn Reiter does a commendable job as well as big sis Echo. However, Lipnicki steals every scene he’s in as her loyal brother who has no qualms about slicing and dicing anyone who gets in his way.
Truly, the final sequence with the surviving, yet clueless, campers and employees is legitimate laugh-out-loud entertainment–in the very best way! Lipnicki’s expert handling of the group is nothing less than fun.
An honorable mention is due as well to the memorable masks donned by our killer(s) in Camp Pleasant Lake. In this day and age, it’s not easy to create a killer mask that is both unique and terrifying. This film pulls it off, and for that, this horror fan salutes you.
Camp Pleasant Lake can be seen in select cinemas and VOD and digital now.
Wicked Rating: 6.5/10
