Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland" by Scream Factory offers an engaging yet slightly inconsistent visual experience. Encoded in AVC and delivered in 1080p resolution with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the transfer showcases an appreciable level of detail and sharpness, especially during brightly lit, outdoor scenes. Colors are notably better saturated and more accurate compared to its predecessor, "Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers." Despite the enhanced clarity, viewers may notice a consistent grain field, which is more prominent in darker sequences. This grain field resolves effectively in sunlit scenes but can appear overly grainy in certain daylight moments, including the opening sequence.

The transfer is noticeably affected by the state of the original materials, which have unfortunately been lost. As a result, scratches, dirt, and debris are evident throughout the film, adding a grindhouse aesthetic that might appeal to genre enthusiasts but detracts from overall polish. Flesh tones are natural and consistent, contributing to the realistic representation of characters. There is no significant crushing observed, although some detail gets lost in lesser-lit scenes. The film’s black levels are generally deep, but noise, compression artifacts, and occasional color crushing are present.

Overall, "Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland" sports a solid yet imperfect video presentation. Close-ups reveal intricate details, especially during Angela's notorious slasher scenes, adding to the visceral horror experience. The nature scenes benefit from this improved clarity as well, showcasing the green forests and gray uniforms with accurate color reproduction. While not a massive upgrade from previous DVD releases, this Blu-ray transfer will likely satisfy fans who appreciate this film’s best possible visual representation given the constraints of the source material.

The audio presentation of "Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland" on Blu-ray delivers a surprisingly robust experience thanks to its lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track. Despite the lack of a 5.1 surround sound option, which would have been ideal for a horror film with numerous intense scenes, the mono mix is commendable. The soundtrack provides robust support for the film’s quirky sound effects and late '80s rock music cues, creating an impactful sonic atmosphere. The balance between dialogue, sound effects, and score is expertly managed, ensuring that each element is distinct without overlap. Crucially, the dialogue remains crystal clear and free from any distracting artefacts such as pops, hisses, or cracks.

While the track is somewhat limited in terms of dynamic range and deep bass presence, it does not detract significantly from the overall experience. The nuances in fidelity are preserved well enough to convey the scrappy spirit of the film effectively. Fans will appreciate that this DTS-HD transfer is a technical step up from previous DVD releases, offering a more liberated and natural soundfield despite some inherent analog recordings. English subtitles are available, adding accessibility without compromising the listening experience. The lack of a low-frequency extension and surround sound options are notable omissions but do not overshadow the competent and immersive audio mix that complements this cult classic effectively.

"Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland" Blu-ray extras deliver a rich array of bonus content that avid fans will appreciate. The real gem is the documentary, "A Tale of Two Sequels: Part Two," which delves deeply into the making and legacy of this sequel with engaging interviews and nostalgic on-set footage. Though the "Workprint of the Longer Cut" suffers from expected VHS quality issues, it provides a fascinating look at the uncut sequences initially removed to secure an R-rating. Additional content such as the "Deleted Scenes," "Home Video Trailer," and a quirky short film entitled "Tony Lives!" further round out this robust collection. The inclusion of an "Audio Commentary" featuring Director Michael A. Simpson and Writer Fritz Gordon adds substantial value, providing insights and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Overall, this diverse set of extras significantly enhances the viewing experience for dedicated aficionados.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Tale of Two Sequels Part Two: Continues the documentary from Sleepaway Camp II with interviews and on-set footage.
• Behind the Scenes Footage: More B-roll footage from the making of the film.
• Workprint of the Longer Cut: Contains all cut gore effects, sourced from VHS.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes from the longer cut.
• Home Video Trailer: Original promotional trailer.
• Short Film: Tony Lives!: A fun, fictional interview with character Tony as an older man.
• Still Gallery: A slideshow of images and promotional art.
• Audio Commentary with Director Michael A. Simpson and Writer Fritz Gordon: In-depth discussion on the making of this sequel.

The third installment in the Sleepaway Camp series, "Teenage Wasteland," diverges significantly from the original's somewhat straightforward horror narrative by fully embracing a comedic slasher approach. Directed by Michael A. Simpson and written by Fritz Gordon, this film continues Angela's (Pamela Springsteen) killing spree at a camp rebranded as Camp New Horizons. This camp, presented as a sociological experiment bringing together kids from different socioeconomic backgrounds, becomes Angela's new hunting ground. From the first scene, which features an outrageous murder involving a garbage truck, it is clear that the film prioritizes gory humor over coherent plot development. Angela's motivation remains as flimsy as ever, usually reacting to minor provocations with lethal force.

Filmed back-to-back with its predecessor "Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers," "Teenage Wasteland" retains many of the previous film’s elements but increases the gore and dark humor. Simpson and Gordon’s script forgoes narrative intricacies in favor of a series of vignettes, each showcasing increasingly elaborate and brutal killings. Despite the lack of a continuous plotline, the film compensates with its relentless pace and Angela’s inventive methods of dispatching her victims, ranging from decapitations to impalements. The camp setting, now under the management of Herman and Lily Miranda (name references that older viewers will appreciate), serves mainly as a backdrop for Angela’s bloody escapades.

This sequel does face some drawbacks. Shot in close succession after the second film, it shares numerous production qualities but lacks fresh energy. Constraints imposed by the MPAA led to significant edits, resulting in trimmed violent scenes that might disappoint gore enthusiasts. However, the available workprint offers a glimpse into these excised moments. Though it may not stand out as the pinnacle of the Sleepaway Camp franchise, "Teenage Wasteland" delivers enough blood, guts, and macabre humor to satisfy aficionados of 80s horror absurdity. In the realm of campy slasher sequels, it maintains its niche appeal.

Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland continues the franchise’s signature blend of horror and humor, delivering a film that excels in entertainment rather than depth. Key elements like Michael J. Pollard's eccentric performance and the campers' gleeful acceptance of bizarre disappearances contribute to its cult classic charm. The movie’s comedic angle is notably more pronounced than its predecessor, Sleepaway Camp II, although it sacrifices deeper character development and plot complexity as a result. Fans of slapstick horror will find plenty to enjoy, especially with the bloodier scenes; however, due to MPAA constraints, some might feel it lacks the full punch.

Technically, the Blu-ray release by Scream Factory is robust. The video presentation is not groundbreaking but solid enough to deliver the 80s slasher ambiance with sufficient clarity. The audio quality, on the other hand, is excellent, enhancing every scream and eerie sound effect effectively. Scream Factory has outdone itself with an impressive supplementary package that includes the full workprint featuring all original gore effects and 18 minutes of deleted scenes, compensating for the edited theatrical version. This attention to detail and fan service is bound to delight hardcore enthusiasts of the franchise.

In conclusion, everything from how outré Michael J. Pollard is to how gleefully sanguine the campers react to yet another strange disappearance from among their ranks provides Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland with the requisite elements of cult classic status. I personally find this film a lot funnier than Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers. Technical merits range from decent (video) to excellent (audio), but once again Scream has assembled a really impressive supplementary package, one that will no doubt make most ardent fans overlook any other shortcomings. Recommended.