Easily one of the most twisted horror movies to emerge from the Eighties, Sleepaway Camp was released in the heyday of Friday the 13th and Halloween. But, while those films were simple "Slashers", Sleepaway Camp rejuvenated horror with a host of memorable characters, situations and one of the most bizarre plots in horror history. The movie begins with a father out sailing with two children when a boating accident takes his life. Only young Angela survives, shuffling through life in a semi-catatonic state. When her fruity aunt sends her to camp along with her cousin Ricky, everyone sees it as a way to bring Angela out of her shell. Things get off to a bumpy start when she's teased and tormented by the other campers but with the help of the over-protective Ricky and her young beau Paul, she slowly begins open up and be herself. Of course, then people start dying badly, but you can't have your cake and eat it too.

It's hard to say too much about the plot of Sleepaway Camp without giving away the major twists the film features. The ending is simply jaw-dropping, but that's all I'm going to say about it. What the film offers is the most dysfunctional group of characters ever to share a campsite. Felissa Rose is excellent as the shy introvert. Jonathan Tiersten steals ever scenes he's in playing the cousin with a very bad temper. Ever supporting players like Paul the boyfriend, the Camp Owner, and the Counselors are great. Sure, some of the dialogue sounds dated today and they sure do swear a lot(hope this wasn't a church camp!), but what sets this apart from a series of similar films is that it is so much fun!

Sleepaway Camp has some fantastic gore throughout with special props going out to the boiled flesh effect. Also watch out the the bee attack. The film does lack nudity which is almost shocking considering that it was an 80's slasher and those films thrived on t&a, but Sleepaway Camp definitely isn't your normal horror movie. The film spawned two sequels - both of which went more for the traditional slasher route and lost the original's macabre twists and neither starring Rose as Angela. Director Robert Hiltzik recently saw fit to give fans a true sequel - Return to Sleepaway Camp - which will feature Rose, Tiersten and more. Look for it in 2004. In the meantime, if you want to watch a memorable flick, a true cult classic, then look no further than the original Sleepaway Camp.