Netflix is a company that isn’t afraid to take risks when it comes to their independent properties. Who could have guessed that a dry and very serious political drama could capture the world? Or taking a superhero in a very family friendly universe and make him so hyper violent and dark that it instantly becomes one of the most impressive television shows of 2015?
Netflix have just released their riskiest move yet with WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: FIRST DAY OF CAMP. A prequel to an American cult comedy that was released 14 years ago that hasn’t even been released on DVD within the UK.
WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMERÂ remained something that only the very die-hard cinema and comedy fans would hunt for, which is a pity as it’s over the top, heavily improvised style of humour is something, at the time of release, was barely seen in American cinematic comedy, but would later go on to define the decade with films like ANCHORMAN, KNOCKED UPÂ and WALK HARD: THE DEWY COX STORY.
I’m a somewhat fan of the original film, although I admit that it’s very rough around the edges. At times it may appear crass and unsophisticated, it’s not above throwing in a fart gag or two, these moments are more than made up for when there’s an extended scene of Paul Rudd reluctantly picking up bread, although this on paper sounds painfully unfunny, when watched it’s a work of comedic genius.
Which is why it’s a relief to see that the first two episodes of WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: THE FIRST DAY OF CAMPÂ captures the haphazard and wonderfully improvised feeling that the original had all those years ago.
The first two episodes are set between the campers arrival at Camp Firewood in the morning to just after lunch. We are reintroduced to the camp staff from the first movie as well as some new faces, who we can only assume meet some horrible fate during the remainder of the season. Although many of the cast has aged superbly within the 9-year gap (seriously whatever actors drink to gain eternal youth I want some!) some definitely took a little longer than it should have to recognise.
One of the most impressive things about this prequel is how they managed to get everyone back from the original. Amy Poehler and Bradley Cooper (arguably the two actors whose careers have skyrocketed since 2001) return as the ever-so-sweet and cheesy theatre directors. The pairs unmistakable comedic relationship is highlighted and used to great effect in episode two when Poehler’s character desperately tries to seduce Cooper’s character in the most spontaneous and unromantic way possible.
Elizabeth Banks‘ character, the beautiful and popular Lindsay, isn’t reintroduced until the second episode, but has a twist that is both hilariously executed and adds a whole new dimension to the film, which is a story telling technique that all those looking to make a prequel should make note of.
The new cast members within the episodes still need some development. I feel like I don’t really know who Jason Schwartzman‘s character is yet as his character isn’t given that much to do apart from the odd line here and there. It’s an odd experience to witness H Jon Benjamin, one of the finest comedic voice over artist working today, in an on screen acting role but his short time on screen as the panicky and down on his luck camp director is one of the highlights of the first two episodes.
John Slattery’s character, an eccentric understudy Claude Dumet, helps Slattery distance himself from his iconic role as Roger Sterling from MAD MEN, and once again proves that Slattery is truly one of the most versatile actors working today.
The first two episodes of WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: THE FIRST DAY OF CAMPÂ gets off to a strong start, with the show likely to progress into pure insanity by the end of the 8 episode run. The first two episodes feel like re-treading old ground which is important for new audiences, helping them to get familiar with the characters and the tone of the show, but for fans of the 2001 film it may appear to slow, repeating character beats that were already established.
WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: THE FIRST DAP OF CAMPÂ can only get weirder from here.
