Wow, what a great movie. While watching this fantastic movie I was just overwhelmed with lovely emotions and feelings. Just kidding, this movie is ABSOLUTE GARBAGE. I just wasted an hour and a half of my life watching this joke. The actors practically ruined their career by "starring" in this "great" film.
30 Reviews
Actually not all that bad...
paul_haakonsen26 November 2019
When I sat down to watch this 2017 movie "Camp Cool Kids" it was because my 9 year old son wanted to see it. So I sat down with him to watch this movie from director Lisa Arnold without knowing anything about it.
Turns out that the movie was actually watchable and entertaining enough for what it turned out to be. And it is a movie that appeals to both youngsters and adults alike.
Now, when you sit down to watch "Camp Cool Kids", forget about all things realistic, as that is not present in the movie. The kids are literally without supervision 95% of the time while they were at the camp.
But the storyline is good and nicely paced, and it has something to offer to both young and adults in the audience, which is definitely a nice accomplishment.
The acting in the movie was good, although I had hoped to see a bit more of Michael Gross, I think he wasn't given enough screen time and could have spruced up the movie quite a bit more.
All in all, a watchable and entertaining enough movie. I am rating it a five out of ten stars, because it is not an outstanding movie, nor is it probable that you'll watch the movie more than just once - as it doesn't have enough contents to it to support more than a single viewing.
Turns out that the movie was actually watchable and entertaining enough for what it turned out to be. And it is a movie that appeals to both youngsters and adults alike.
Now, when you sit down to watch "Camp Cool Kids", forget about all things realistic, as that is not present in the movie. The kids are literally without supervision 95% of the time while they were at the camp.
But the storyline is good and nicely paced, and it has something to offer to both young and adults in the audience, which is definitely a nice accomplishment.
The acting in the movie was good, although I had hoped to see a bit more of Michael Gross, I think he wasn't given enough screen time and could have spruced up the movie quite a bit more.
All in all, a watchable and entertaining enough movie. I am rating it a five out of ten stars, because it is not an outstanding movie, nor is it probable that you'll watch the movie more than just once - as it doesn't have enough contents to it to support more than a single viewing.
Camp No-Supervision
infoalwaysacritic28 January 2018
Meet Spence, a kid who, like many kids his age, struggle with fear and loss. He and his brother have just moved in with their grandfather, along with their recently widowed mother, who send them off to summer camp in hopes that it will build character and help them cope with the loss of their father. Before they go, Spence's grandfather tries to help equip him to face his fears, and that is what this movie is about - facing and overcoming your fears.
Camp Cool Kids could have been another movie to add to the shelf of classic camp movies like Camp Nowhere, and Earnest goes to camp, or Camp Rock. The genre has plenty of family oriented films that address themes of overcoming fear and social inequality; what isn't clear is why somebody felt this movie should be made at all. The tropes are cliche, the acting is a mixture of passable and atrocious, and the representation of camp bears no resemblance to how any legitimate summer camp can be run - as someone who has worked at several summer camps, I urge parents to never send a camper to a camp like the one in this film.
If you can get past the inequality and injustice of the grossly corrupt camp leadership, the absence of supervision and bizarre circumstances, you may be hampered from finishing the film by its slow-moving plot. Thankfully this picks up about midway through. Its soundtrack will likely drive you bonkers when a simplistic fanfare played on a children's keyboard blares over top of the plot's climax. This wouldn't seem so strange if it weren't for the use of legitimate musicians for the few highlight cuts in the film that are actually pretty decent.
Something that may not distract everyone, is the absence of a competent lighting technician on the film. Instead of using something as simple as fill light, it is evident that they were forced to gain up the exposure to compensate for the shooting conditions. This made several scenes flat and washed out, leaving people's features obscured.
As it is intended for a young audience, most children would not be distracted by the technical deficiencies of the film, but when other films address the themes more effectively, it is hard to justify the film to anyone but those looking specifically for the summer camp genre, and who has already seen all of the rest of them.
Camp Cool Kids could have been another movie to add to the shelf of classic camp movies like Camp Nowhere, and Earnest goes to camp, or Camp Rock. The genre has plenty of family oriented films that address themes of overcoming fear and social inequality; what isn't clear is why somebody felt this movie should be made at all. The tropes are cliche, the acting is a mixture of passable and atrocious, and the representation of camp bears no resemblance to how any legitimate summer camp can be run - as someone who has worked at several summer camps, I urge parents to never send a camper to a camp like the one in this film.
If you can get past the inequality and injustice of the grossly corrupt camp leadership, the absence of supervision and bizarre circumstances, you may be hampered from finishing the film by its slow-moving plot. Thankfully this picks up about midway through. Its soundtrack will likely drive you bonkers when a simplistic fanfare played on a children's keyboard blares over top of the plot's climax. This wouldn't seem so strange if it weren't for the use of legitimate musicians for the few highlight cuts in the film that are actually pretty decent.
Something that may not distract everyone, is the absence of a competent lighting technician on the film. Instead of using something as simple as fill light, it is evident that they were forced to gain up the exposure to compensate for the shooting conditions. This made several scenes flat and washed out, leaving people's features obscured.
As it is intended for a young audience, most children would not be distracted by the technical deficiencies of the film, but when other films address the themes more effectively, it is hard to justify the film to anyone but those looking specifically for the summer camp genre, and who has already seen all of the rest of them.
So bad it's good
zachimania4 July 2018
Found this on netflix and wow. This is, straight-forward, one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The acting, the writing, the sound-editing, and direction are all impressively bad. You'll watch this movie and be in constant amazement at the decisions they made. This movie has a magical ability to slow down time. 104 minutes feels like 9 hours. You can barely hear anything in the movie, except for the piped in christian pop music which I'm guessing is one of the main reasons this exists. It's truly an expierence.
And the for the record the identical twins in the movie are NOT identical twins. They may be twins but they aren't identical, and the movie knows it. They seem to frame almost every scene to obscure one or both faces. Watch the movie and look out for it and you can't not notice it.
And the for the record the identical twins in the movie are NOT identical twins. They may be twins but they aren't identical, and the movie knows it. They seem to frame almost every scene to obscure one or both faces. Watch the movie and look out for it and you can't not notice it.
This is the worst movie
superawesomebros18 January 2018
It's horrible
azaleajellybeanabc1 January 2021
Interesting and faith based
jalexander-280881 June 2019
I see so many others hating on this movie giving it one out of 10 because of it being as they say so bad it's good. Well interestingly enough I feel it has more to do with the fact it's faith based that they gave it one out of 10 rather than because it's shotty acting and shooting. The reality is in a world where Christ is now the enemy too many it's good to finally find something based on Christianity and Christ where the movie passes good Christian messages and doesn't contain any profanity in it. Great movie great message and I enjoyed it.
Oops, agnostic mom has some explaining to do
darkharlezucreek24 January 2021
Cute, but super duper religious. Oops. I wish there was an evangelical warning on movies like this. Caution: May contain religious messages. This stuff matters when raising an 8yo who has no idea there are cults of magic sky man people trying to convert kids. Most of it went over her head, so far.
Better than these reviews give credit!
ladybirdlouise5 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this film with my two boys (7&5) and it was a really lovely family movie that explored issues about bullying, brotherly squabbles (very timely for my boys!), teamwork, friendship, loss etc. Whilst some of those issues weren't dealt with completely (ie forgiveness was mentioned plenty but the final scene is a 'let's get 'em' concept) we really enjoyed the overall idea and the good messages it contained.
Some of these reviews were brutal - use it for what it is.. watch it with your kids and use it to promote kindness to the underdog and sibling support.
Some of these reviews were brutal - use it for what it is.. watch it with your kids and use it to promote kindness to the underdog and sibling support.
Objective Critique
scoutpioneering12 January 2018
Just why?
maddoxsmith-7912115 March 2021
Why do no good movies come out nowadays? And a lot of weird religious ones? Sadly this is one of both a bad religious movie. I watched this during the summer on prime a few years ago and it remains the second worst movie of all time. Something I was surprised by looking back on it was the mom from good luck Charlie is in this, so I suppose now we know why its bad. A weird religious movie that tries to have slapstick comedy and fails horribly, Camp Cool Kids is one of the worst.
Wholesome and fun movie for young kids
jpchilcote-6256713 February 2018
Wholesome elementary & teen camp movie. Most camp movies are either extremely crude, sexual, or lame. This one is actually pretty realistic, except for the obviously inadequate counselor-to-camper ratio, which leads to the bullying and pranking. Watched it with my kids. I grew up going to various camps. The counselors are pretty spot on (the over-hyped adventure guy, the laid-back hippie, the cool encouraging head-counselor). Good messages about faith, confidence, being a good brother, and being a good friend. It's nice not having to explain/mute/or clarify anything to my 9 and 6 year old.
Who's a Cool Kid?
kelvin-4317827 March 2022
Camp Cool Kids is a well-meaning movie, humorous, that encourages facing one's fears and loyalty to family. Set in a Christian camp (with a few short snippets of Biblical teaching, particularly on forgiveness), where Spence and his older brother Zach are going soon after the loss of their father, it depicts a group of older bullies who mercilessly pick on the younger kids. Worse, Zach joins the bully group, and while he isn't thrilled with what they're doing, he doesn't oppose them, either. When the younger boys seek revenge, though, success leaves a bad aftertaste. The girls at the camp serve as a voice of conscience; they're not impressed by either the bullying or the revenge.
The lack of adult supervision is rather distressing; while a camp counselor appears at times to talk things over with Spence, none are in sight in any of the cabins or in the dining hall during a meal, nor do the bullies receive any reprimands (unlike their victims). The camp director is unaccountably uninterested in the camp. (And requiring everyone to wear life vests whenever in the water, even if they pass the swim test, is just bizarre.) But the point is that the kids need to figure this out themselves rather than relying on the adults to do it for them.
It's not a great movie, but the message is decent and the presentation is safe (the "severe" ratings in the parents guide are libelous). It's a pleasant story that encourages taking the high road to be a Cool Kid.
The lack of adult supervision is rather distressing; while a camp counselor appears at times to talk things over with Spence, none are in sight in any of the cabins or in the dining hall during a meal, nor do the bullies receive any reprimands (unlike their victims). The camp director is unaccountably uninterested in the camp. (And requiring everyone to wear life vests whenever in the water, even if they pass the swim test, is just bizarre.) But the point is that the kids need to figure this out themselves rather than relying on the adults to do it for them.
It's not a great movie, but the message is decent and the presentation is safe (the "severe" ratings in the parents guide are libelous). It's a pleasant story that encourages taking the high road to be a Cool Kid.
Pis
rileynew16 November 2019
This movie is probably the worst movie I've ever seen. It only makes it weirder the fact that they were sitting around chugging old mans pee. The fact that the movie is called "Camp Cool Kids" and none (I mean none) of the kids are cool just confuses me. Camp cool kids sucks this a terrible movie the only good part is Jasper from Henry Danger.
Parameters unduly restricting
bkoganbing21 March 2021
The two grandsons of missionary/preacher Michael Gross are sent to a Christian
summer camp which the kids who attend call Camp Cool. The older one Logan
Shroyer would like to have a better social life. But Connor Rosen the younger is
a nerdy, picked upon klutz of a kid who if Shroyer has to keep protecting he
won't be making friends, especially of the opposite sex.
But in this particular camp both boys do a lot of growing up and make grandfather Michael Gross very proud.
Christian parameters were at work again. They tried and succeeded to maje this a fun film. But were limited. When the big kids pick on Rosen and his cabin mates, what they did was good and justified. Not so here.. And the chief villain is a bully of a kid who should have been kicked out. But not so here.
This one shouldn't leave church basements.
But in this particular camp both boys do a lot of growing up and make grandfather Michael Gross very proud.
Christian parameters were at work again. They tried and succeeded to maje this a fun film. But were limited. When the big kids pick on Rosen and his cabin mates, what they did was good and justified. Not so here.. And the chief villain is a bully of a kid who should have been kicked out. But not so here.
This one shouldn't leave church basements.
WORST MOVIE EVER!
cynthialbusch10 February 2019
it's bad but good
erinok-852322 December 2020
Best ever
whiteef7 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I would watch it again and again. It is so easy for me to relate to Spence he even looks like a kid I know! At the beginning he hates to swim and can't do the test which I can't do either but at the end the lifeguard says you can't swim until you pass the test which I don't think he did even. POINT is at the end he saves a girls life because she starts to drown because she gets an asthma attack he goes and pulls her in with little help until it's to late to help everyone else just stands there. Even though it is hard to follow and people are mean especially after that he ends up getting the camper of the year or camper of the week award! It's great and I am a Boy Scout so I would know this pretty well and could definitely relate.
Surprisingly funny
chesneyhenrymarshall7 April 2021
Let's get this out of the way, I love bad movies. The bad acting, terrible cgi and pointless scenes just fill my heart with joy. This movie does all of those. ( To everyone else saying it sucks I 100% agree with you this movie is not the next Dark Knight, but it is fun!) Spence is a loser, a complaint is he talks so quiet I couldn't hear him the first half. But god does he make me laugh. He is so scrawny and embarrassing I can't help but laugh at him putting on his safety stuff. (Let me say I relate to him very much being very skinny and a red head both super embarrassing so I really take it as me making fun of myself). Its honestly a normal camp movie, there's pranks, stupid nicknamed kids but its overall kind of fun. I will say the first 20 minutes bored me to death but I think its worth it after. My only complaint would be the age gap. The girls look 12-13 while the younger boys look 10-11 and his older brother 15! Why couldn't they have made the girl younger and one older! It just weirded me out. Overall if you and a friend or family member want a cheap laugh I would recommend :)
Meh
noahvb-695275 January 2019
Super Predictable, But Not Entirely that Bad
Zac_La_Porte9 November 2021
Camp Cool Kids is another cringeworthy camp tale landing on an extremely typical misfit dealing with overused "face your fears" messages. Families with small children might find a lot of comfort, if they mainly appreciate a bright, fun and charming camp comedy targeted on bullies and buddies. On the other hand, it's too much of a cringey character-journey for teen viewers.
Although it's bright and visually fun, there's a massive overload of three main ideas: overcoming worries, dealing with bullies, and the most boring one, getting the girls. The misfit kid predictably attracts the girls with his personality, whilst being encouraged by his friends to form some sort of romance. Camp Cool Kids is also another average family film that features facing your fears, making friends and dealing with other idiots at camp in a highly unsatisfying context.
But for its leading themes, it surprisingly does pretty well. Again, this is a great movie to choose for a young kids' family movie night. If anything could've been notably changed, some of the acting could've been better. The characters are actually quite likeable and touching, but the lead performance needs much improvement. And there's the satisfactory happy-ending!
If you liked this review, check out the full review and other reviews at aussieboyreviews.
Although it's bright and visually fun, there's a massive overload of three main ideas: overcoming worries, dealing with bullies, and the most boring one, getting the girls. The misfit kid predictably attracts the girls with his personality, whilst being encouraged by his friends to form some sort of romance. Camp Cool Kids is also another average family film that features facing your fears, making friends and dealing with other idiots at camp in a highly unsatisfying context.
But for its leading themes, it surprisingly does pretty well. Again, this is a great movie to choose for a young kids' family movie night. If anything could've been notably changed, some of the acting could've been better. The characters are actually quite likeable and touching, but the lead performance needs much improvement. And there's the satisfactory happy-ending!
If you liked this review, check out the full review and other reviews at aussieboyreviews.
I loved the first half. The second half made me very upset.
benghill20 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
From the beginning of the movie I was really into it. I love kids movies and this seemed to have a good theme. I loved the main character Spence. He was easy to relate to. I thought he had a good group of friends in his cabin.
When the prank war started, it all got out of hand. The other cabin, with kids who are clearly older, started a food fight and only the younger kids got in trouble. Where were all the counselors during this?
Zack really was a jerk. At first I thought he was an okay guy, who just didn't want to look after his brother, but then he began leading the bullying. He gave his own brother and all of his friends wedgies. When he apologized, he didn't even take full responsibility. Spence had no reason to apologize. He was only sticking up for himself and his friends.
Dean was just a typical bully. They tried to justify him by claiming that he was afraid, but how is that any excuse for what he did. These weren't just silly little camp pranks. He rubbed poison ivy in kids' beds. At any real camp he would have been kicked out. At the end of the movie, Dean still never learned his lesson. He wasn't apologetic for what he did. He only felt sorry for himself.
Garret was supposed to be portrayed as a good counselor, but he really wasn't. He made his cabin accept full responsibility for the food fight they didn't even start. When they were wedgied, he didn't even try to find out who did it. When the bullies played potentially dangerous pranks, he did nothing. Yet when the younger, weaker kids, got revenge in a far less brutal way, he punished them.
Why was there no adult supervision at this camp? How did the bullies keep getting away with bullying? What was wrong with that camp director?
I thought the ending was good, with the exception of Dean's lack of character development. The theme was a little confusing. I know when kids get bullied there supposed to show off their differences in a positive way, but this wan't just teasing. They were getting physically bullied and every time they stood up for themselves they got in trouble, when really the counselors should have taken care of it.
I think with a few plot and character changes this could have turned out to be a really good movie that I would have given a 10. I still loved the actors.
When the prank war started, it all got out of hand. The other cabin, with kids who are clearly older, started a food fight and only the younger kids got in trouble. Where were all the counselors during this?
Zack really was a jerk. At first I thought he was an okay guy, who just didn't want to look after his brother, but then he began leading the bullying. He gave his own brother and all of his friends wedgies. When he apologized, he didn't even take full responsibility. Spence had no reason to apologize. He was only sticking up for himself and his friends.
Dean was just a typical bully. They tried to justify him by claiming that he was afraid, but how is that any excuse for what he did. These weren't just silly little camp pranks. He rubbed poison ivy in kids' beds. At any real camp he would have been kicked out. At the end of the movie, Dean still never learned his lesson. He wasn't apologetic for what he did. He only felt sorry for himself.
Garret was supposed to be portrayed as a good counselor, but he really wasn't. He made his cabin accept full responsibility for the food fight they didn't even start. When they were wedgied, he didn't even try to find out who did it. When the bullies played potentially dangerous pranks, he did nothing. Yet when the younger, weaker kids, got revenge in a far less brutal way, he punished them.
Why was there no adult supervision at this camp? How did the bullies keep getting away with bullying? What was wrong with that camp director?
I thought the ending was good, with the exception of Dean's lack of character development. The theme was a little confusing. I know when kids get bullied there supposed to show off their differences in a positive way, but this wan't just teasing. They were getting physically bullied and every time they stood up for themselves they got in trouble, when really the counselors should have taken care of it.
I think with a few plot and character changes this could have turned out to be a really good movie that I would have given a 10. I still loved the actors.
A Cult Classic!!
heyitscambo23 June 2019
From the budding romance of Cool Cat and Jen to the lore of the Loch Ness Monster, this movie is an instant classic. Rosemary's strong feminist ideals were a breath of fresh air, such as "Did you say hello? Or jello." in response to being hit on. Ha! Girls take notes. I especially loved how every scene has background music. No scene left behind. All 2 of the counselors were excellently cast, and the age range of campers from 6 to 16 was very inclusive. I love this movie! At the top of my list!
Good family movie
tharv-2450224 March 2019
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