Now that it’s basically summertime, I can’t help but wait in eager anticipation for camp to start in June. I’m not an incredibly patient person, and the month before camp always feels endless. However, two solutions I’ve found very helpful recently are the “Wet Hot American Summer” movie and the “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp” Netflix original show. Since this is my final article, I figured I’d go out with a closer look at the movie and TV show that have been on my mind.
To start, going to summer camp or having gone at some point in your life definitely heightens the enjoyment of the series and movie, but you don’t need to be a camp person to enjoy the hilarity they have to offer. Not only are the show and movie some of the funniest pieces of television and film, but they are re-watchable to a fault. There really isn’t much of a plot, and the movie basically just kind of goes back and forth between bizarre and hilarious scenes. And that’s the best part about “Wet Hot American Summer,” it really doesn’t need a plot; the point is for the audience to witness the chaotic and fun-filled world of summer camp in the most exaggerated of terms.
Another one of the many great parts of “Wet Hot American Summer” is its exceptional cast. The movie was made on a budget of just $5,000,000, which is miniscule compared to most movies in theaters these days. Even with this tiny number, creators David Wain (“Role Models”) and Michael Showalter (“Grace and Frankie”) were able to pull in a tremendous group of young talent.
For some of these Hollywood stars, this was one of their breakout roles that launched them into stardom. The cast list of the film reads: Paul Rudd (“Ant-Man”), Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”), Bradley Cooper (“American Sniper”), Janeane Garofalo (“Ratatouille”), David Hyde Pierce (“A Bug's Life”), Christopher Meloni (“Man of Steel”), Molly Shannon (“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”), Ken Marino (“We’re the Millers”), Jo lo Truglio (“Superbad”), Elizabeth Banks (“Pitch Perfect), and H. Jon Benjamin (“Archer”).
“First Day of Camp” brings all of these stars back, along with Michael Cera (“Juno”), Chris Pine (“Star Trek”), Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”), Kristen Wiig (“Bridesmaids”), John Slattery (“Spotlight”), "Weird Al" Yankovic, Jason Schwartzman (“Rushmore”), Paul Scheer (“The League”), Jordan Peele (“Key and Peele”), and Randall Park (“The Interview”).
I apologize for that never-ending list, but I just had to display the true magnitude of the cast and how diverse the talent really is. To see all of these stars in a low-budget film and then to see them return 15 years later to play the same characters is phenomenally entertaining. While a lot of the humor is crass and immature, the show and movie both contain a lot of heart as well. If you’ve ever been to summer camp in your life, both of these are must-sees. Or, if you’re just looking to laugh and enjoy some dumb comedy, “Wet Hot American Summer” is still a great call.
Both “Wet Hot American Summer” and “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp” are very conveniently located on Netflix as well.
