Wet Hot American Summer

Wet Hot American Summer
by David Wain

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Movie Reviews of Wet Hot American Summer

Movie Review: The Best Genre Spoof of All Time!
Summary: 5 Stars

For the first time in many years, I was initially drawn to this film based on the movie poster alone. Easily the best film poster of the new millenium, it recaptures the zany cartoon-style montage virtually unused since the 70's and 80's.

However, given the 45-minute drive to the only theater in Cleveland playing the picture, I decided to read a few reviews first. Absolutely no help here, as they were wildly mixed, with critics either loathing (Cleveland Plain Dealer) or loving (Entertainment Weekly) it. Being a big fan of film parodies, even some that were poorly reviewed (e.g., "Top Secret"), I gave in.

The 45-minute trip turned into an hour+ voyage, as I was caught in a torrential downpour, arriving suitably "wet" for the film. Not in the best frame of mind, I thought, "David Wain had better make me laugh, or I'm walking out."

Folks, this is the best genre spoof I have ever seen. It looks AND (more importantly) feels like a late 70's/early 80's picture. This is a rare achievement, as most genre comedies (e.g., "The Wedding Singer"), are much too glossy and forced to create this effect. The only films in recent years that have come close are "Dazed and Confused" and "Jackie Brown." From the hair styles (e.g., white male afro, middle parts, feathered hair), to the clothes (e.g., ragged jeans shorts with white pocket liners hanging out), to even the calculators (those that made that annoying clicking noise each time a button was pushed), every detail was impressively accurate. In addition, perhaps due to its low budget (an estimated $1 million) or perhaps the result of the director's sharp attention to detail, the soundtrack contains rarely heard 80's gems and is filmed on celluloid which creates an aged, authentic look. To further generate the spirit of the camp comedy genre (or again the result of a low budget), the stars were even asked to sleep in cabins during the shoot.

The film's gags are rapid-fire. The biggest laughs (semi-spoiler alert) were drawn from the "office rampage" and the "wedding gift." "Wet Hot.." also contains the best use of hair gel since "There's Something About Mary" and has the most canned laughter since "Three's Company." For those who have seen the picture, you know precisely what I'm referring to. For the head-scratching majority, I compel you to find out.

However, what makes this film even more authentically funny is its subtle 80's humor. True to form with many of the comedies it parodies, some jokes fall completely flat and various plot lines seem out of place and disjointed. Too bad most critics are not able to dig beyond the obvious, in your face jokes to realize that the "unfunny" and "confusing" moments were planted as a throwback to the 70's/80's comedy style.

Well done, David Wain! Can't wait for the loaded special edition DVD...and your next picture (hopefully `Wet Hot American Summer II: Ten Years Later, at 9:30 A.M."...hehe).

Summary of Wet Hot American Summer