Wet Hot American Summer is a hot mess. That is a compliment.
It has been a long overdue for me to watch this franchise which consists of the original movie, Wet Hot American Summer (2001), Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, and Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, all directed by David Wain.
I have to say, a perfect trilogy like this comes ever so often. This is one of them.
For those who have not watched it, the film chronicles the deliriously lunatic last day of the people at Camp Firewood in the summer of 1981.
Doesn’t sound that appealing, ain’t it? But don’t be fooled, it is a gem not to be missed, and endlessly rewatchable if I say so.
The franchise is filled with silly punchlines and clichés being parodied, and also quotable as heck and a fun watch that you will walkway with a new favorite joke with every new watch. This hot mess also launched the careers of some of the actors, such as Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks and Amy Poehler.
It so popular that it spun a prequel and sequel, 14 and 16 years later respectively. Actors such as Chris Pine, Jason Schwartzman, Jon Hamm, and Michael Cera even joined the cast. With guest appearances from Jordan Peele and “Weird Al” Yankovic.
Most of the main cast of the original movie. -via Entertainment Weekly
For First Day of Camp, I enjoyed the new characters, and not to mention that all the returning characters are played by the same original cast looking way older than they did on the last day of camp. It is absurdly funny to see grown ass adults in their late thirties and early forties playing teenagers.
I felt sentimental watching it, but I gotta say, it does not have the charm of the original, but hey, most sequels don’t trump the predecessor.
First Day of Camp. -via Netflix
Same here for Ten Years Later, nothing compares to the original. But still….. A can of vegetables fucking a waitress is godly hilarious to me. I stand by my point, the original charmed me, well the rest made me reminisce.
Ten Years Later Reunion- Via Netflix
The sole goal of this franchise is to make us laugh and it did. What does WHAS have?
Character development? Sure. Kinda. Maybe
Coherent plot? A hot mess.
Innovative filmmaking technique and style? Boy, what you talking about?
Jewish names that sounds like they were made up on the spot? Yes!
Ridiculous characters who does not question the absurdity of their world? Much of them.
A psycho Ronald Reagan? Absolutely!
A sentient can of vegetables that talks? Hell Yeah!
via Giphy
I enjoy great films and that classics that are lauded by critics and people alike, but Wet Hot American Summer is a masterpiece in its own. Watching it brings people joy, simply as that. No more, no less.
If you can’t enjoy it, then my friend, as Andy would put it.
Via Giphy
As for everyone else, walla-walla hoo!
Watch Wet Hot American Summer!
If you have so, and need some brightness in your life, rewatch it!
Journal of FTV Nerd 