Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		4.0

Summer Camp Girls Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 6, 2021

1983’s “Summer Camp Girls” presents an odd take on the seasonal getaway, rethinking the pleasures of the open world with friends and counselors by turning the whole experience into a prison-lite event for a group of 18-year-old girls discarded by their elite families. Hope for a “Meatballs”-esque take on camp shenanigans isn’t rewarded, but director Gary Graver and writer Harold Lime try to sustain something of a fun factor to the picture, which deals more with nutty seductions than juvenile pranks, trying to maintain some heat for adult cinema fans.

It’s summertime at Camp Quim and Angela (Shauna Grant) is a new arrival, sent to live with other girls who’ve been having difficulties in their families, put into the care of Olga (Honey Wilder) and her staff. Angela has an innocence about her the other campers hate, with Veronica (Kimberly Carson) looking to corrupt her, while handyman J.D. (Herschel Savage) hopes to seduce her, finding his efforts blocked by his ex-girlfriend, Carla (Tara Aire). For Greg (Paul Thomas), being a counselor around females is tough, targeted for seduction by a few campers, while colleague Marcy (Janey Robbins) is also interested in him.

As to be expected, “Summer Camp Girls” isn’t big on plot, trying to use Angela’s innocence as something to be conquered throughout the picture. The rest of the feature offers an episodic take on camper misadventures, with the gang breaking away after a group bike ride, presenting different sexual adventures with a few wild personalities. Individual scenes score in “Summer Camp Girls,” and Graver balances hardcore action with more leering activities, devoting a chunk of the movie to an aerobics session. He also dreams up at least one interesting location for eroticism, with Greg and Marcy working out their sexual frustrations on gym equipment, even fooling around while balancing on parallel bars.

“Summer Camp Girls” follows Veronica as she visits a local bar, trying to bridge the worlds of urban cowboys and greasy bikers by offering herself on a pool table (this establishment is quick to card teenagers, but has no problem with customers openly carrying guns). And some barn activity between two female campers brings out a foot-long, uncooked hot dog to spice up the coupling, which is a revolting image, but Graver deserves credit for the surprise twist. Something nearing suspense is triggered when Veronica is claimed by camp meathead Animal (Antonio Crabbe), tied up for a potential sexual assault, but “Summer Camp Girls” avoids direct darkness, pulling out of the tonal tailspin with broad comedy featuring the missing girl’s cartoonishly Italian gangster father, and some twistiness with Veronica’s bedroom preferences keeps the whole thing approachable in the end.

Summer Camp Girls Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 2K scan of the original 35mm negative. Some mild color fluctuations are detected during the viewing experience, and the main titles work through heavier wobble. Beyond a few issues, there's freshness to be found, with the locations displaying lush greenery as the adventure hits the outdoors. Hues on the actresses are lively, with bold primaries on costuming, and makeup application is pronounced, adding shades of blue and red to the palette. Skintones are natural. Detail is excellent, offering a full read of skin particulars and clothing. Dimension is ideal, highlighting decorative additions. Delineation is exact. Grain is fine and film-like.

Summer Camp Girls Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides a straightforward listening event for "Summer Camp Girls," finding dialogue exchanges appealing, offering a clear understanding of actor ability. Music selections bring a heavier synth sound at times, supporting the action with distinct instrumentation.

Summer Camp Girls Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (3:35, HD) is included.

Summer Camp Girls Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Summer Camp Girls" remains an active production, never far from a scene of eroticism or comedy, and, if one puts in the work, there's some passably compelling psychology in the feature, which highlights dangerous appetites from unstable characters. There's nothing especially camp-ish about the movie, but the sunny setting and eager performers deliver an agreeable viewing experience, and Vinegar Syndrome's commitment to presentation quality remains eye-opening at times.