Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers - Amusing and self-knowing horror sequel

The first 'Sleepaway Camp' was an entertaining, if low budget, little slasher/horror film which might not have been too memorable, had it not been for the ending (which was pretty different and shocking for the day).  So I was happy to sit down and watch the next installment, but this one took me a little while to get to grips with.

Because the first one was outright 'horror' I couldn't help but wonder whether the film-makers were trying to be all 'meta' and self aware with what they were doing here, or whether they genuinely thought they were being scary.  By the time the credits rolled (and, just in case, I checked online as to what the producers were thinking they made this) I was certain that this sequel was more of a horror black comedy than anything that should be taken seriously.

As the title of the franchise suggests, the story takes place at a children's/teenage summer camp where someone is out to 'off' the guests.  The first one - in typical slasher fashion - tried to make you guess who the killer was whereas in 'Part II' you're shown who it is in the opening scene, so this isn't a 'Scream-like' film when you're left wondering.

Just on the off-chance you haven't seen the first installment and don't know who the killer is, I wont ruin it for you.  But I will say that the killer here seems to relish the role they're playing and delights in offing as many people as they can with a well-constructed plan or two, followed by a post-homicidal quip.

Sadly, the black humour is in place of any gore and, although the kills are gruesome, they're more left up to our imagination, rather than shown in all their gory detail. 'Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers' is more like one of the 'Scary Movie' films than a scary film that will gross you out.  It descends into depths where you just have to laugh at how as soon as a camper gets killed their absence is merely chalked up to 'being sent home' and no one asks any questions.

I enjoyed the first film and do recommend it for its daring approach to the genre (of the time) and, if you prefer something with a few more ironic chuckles then this one should definitely entertain you, too.  Roll on 'Part III.'

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that