REVIEW | Theater Camp
★ ★ ★ ★
Reviewer - Charlene and Mia
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
A movie for Musical Theatre fans? count us in! Theater Camp is a new film bound to bring in theatre kids and is being released in the UK on 25th August.
Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon star in the original comedy as Amos and Rebecca-Diane; two lifelong best friends and drama instructors at a rundown camp in upstate New York. When clueless tech-bro Troy (Jimmy Tatro) arrives to run the property into the ground, it’s up to Amos, Rebecca-Diane and the production manager Glenn (Noah Galvin) to come together with the stage and students to stage a masterpiece that will keep their beloved summer camp afloat. Joan’s son Troy is a new member who isn’t like his mum whose heart and soul are invested in the camp and this soon begins to show.
Expect a fantastic, moving and hilarious summer film full of catchy musical numbers which aren’t just for a specific age group but will resonate with the inner child in all of us.
Presented in a feel-good mockumentary way worked well and there were definitive moments that resonated with theatre kids. However, this film lacked songs and details about the children which would have helped to develop it further. The writing style has integrated cheesy jokes and stereotypes which felt at times they were trying too hard to make fun of themselves and so it wasn’t executed how we would have wanted.
Amos (Ben Platt) and Rebecca (Molly Gordon) - Diane were the duo we never knew we needed on the screen. Their story of being lifelong friends and work colleagues driven by their passion for theatre and helping other kids shine was clearly demonstrated in their delivery of the characters.
Another stand out who had the biggest character development was Glen (Noah Galvin) who was the man behind the scenes and there for everyone, he came out of his shell and really shined when the time was right. You couldn’t help but cheer him on!
We loved how this style of film showed the development in the classes and rehearsals towards the film’s conclusion. They were both funny and entertaining and the final piece captures the audience's imagination and wraps the story up beautifully. It’s emotive and there were definitely some wet eyes in the house.
Friendship, family and belonging are running themes and this film will leave you feeling uplifted and will leave you wanting to watch more!
Theater Camp heads to UK cinemas from 25 August.
