Film Review: Camping Fun (short film) (2020)

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SYNOPSIS:

Four friends set out to a remote getaway in Texas, unaware that they are being trailed by a sinister cult.

REVIEW:

More short films, kiddies! Today we have CAMPING FUN, written and directed by Thomas Burke and David Eimer.

Ok so let’s get this out of the way right now…this is one of those “found footage” horror films, al a Blair Witch, etc. I’m not really a fan of this style of filmmaking since its been super overdone over the years, but I won’t hold that against anyone. It has become a popular style, and I’ve seen some very creative variations on it so I intend to be fair in this review.

Our story opens with the requisite placards explaining that what we are about to see is video found at a crime scene where several people have disappeared over the years. It even gives a date and location.

We are then introduced to our band of hapless campers – Lauren (Hailey Marmolejo), her boyfriend Tommy (Thomas Burke), Jamie (Bonnie Sturdivant) and her boyfriend David (David Eimer). They are traveling to an abandoned ranch owned by Lauren’s uncle for a weekend of fun and frolic. We already know it will not end well.

Not long after their arrival at the remote ranch, things go off the rails very quickly. We learn that Tommy has been having an affair with Jamie, and that David is kind of a jerk. No one is particularly likeable but that’s kind of ok.

The real weirdness starts to happen very quickly. They don’t waste any time at all getting on with the story which is to this film’s credit. The only real criticism i have is that its difficult to follow the timeline of events, but that may be by design.

Honestly, as far as this style of film goes, this isn’t bad. The cast are admirable in their presentations of the characters, and the story moves forward with very little fuss and bother. We do get a glimpse of how the adventure ended for our merry band, but not enough to conclusively end it. So there’s room to consider what exactly happened here.

So if you are a fan of this style of filmmaking, I’d say give this one a chance. I’ve seen far worse.