Image courtesy of (impawards.com)
Notable Cast Members:
Michael Showalter……….Coop/Alan Shemper
Marguerite Moreau……….Katie
David Hyde Pierce……….Henry
Janeane Garofalo……….Beth
Paul Rudd……….Andy
Michael Ian Black……….McKinley
Christopher Meloni……….Gene
Molly Shannon……….Gail
Ken Marino……….Victor
Joe Lo Truglio……….Neil
Amy Poehler……….Susie
Zak Orth……….J.J.
A.D. Miles……….Gary
Film Synopsis:
If one has ever seen MTV’s The State, Reno: 911! or Stella then it’s easy to have an idea of what happens when you sit down to watch anything by these comic geniuses. With this film, these New York comedians set their sights on 80’s Summer Camp movies and went to town! Then they brought in some other funny actors to round out the cast. While there are plenty of nice things one could say about everyone in this film; the stand our performance award goes to Christopher Meloni who plays Gene, the camp cook. Usually Meloni is seen in very dramatic rolls like in Oz, so to see him do funny in not only refreshing, but has an element of shock to it that adds the humor.
While the plot of the film is not very important, there is one so I’ll tell you about it. It’s the last day of camp; Michael Showalter plays Coop, a shy counselor who has a crush on fellow counselor Katie (Marguerite Moreau). Too bad she’s got the hots for Andy (a very hilarious Paul Rudd). Meanwhile the Head Counselor, Beth (Janeane Garofalo) meets and falls for a college professor who lives near by, Henry (David Hyde Pierce). Lots of antics and craziness fill out the rest of the film leading up to the big event of the summer: the talent show, which is being produced by Susie (Amy Poehler).
Other subplots include: Gail (Molly Shannon) seeks the counsel of the kids in her art class to deal with recent divorce. J.J. (Zak Orth) and Gary (A.D. Miles) are shocked to learn their friend McKinley (Michael Ian Black) is gay! Counselors Victor (Ken Marino) and Neil (Joe Lo Truglio) take a group of kids on a rafting trip that turns disastrous! Also, Henry is shocked to learn that a satellite is going to crash on the talent show and only he and the camp rejects can save the day!
This movie is utterly ridiculous and will have you rolling on the floor the whole way through. One of the funniest moments in the film comes when a group of counselors go into town for an hour. This is perhaps the best montage sequence you’ll ever see! They do everything from robbing old ladies, to drinking booze and dipping into hard-core narcotics. Wet Hot also contains some wonderful non sequitur humor, like when Neil jumps on a motorcycle to ride back to camp he suddenly has a raging mullet. But once he’s off the bike, the mullet is gone. Not to mention, that if you’re watching the DVD there is an alternate audio track with extra farts for extra lowbrow humor, just in case the movie itself wasn’t enough.
The Counselors just kickin’ back!
The Story Behind It:
I remember back in high school when The State first aired on MTV. I was addicted right off the bat. I recorded every episode I could and watched them over and over till I had them memorized. Then I watched them some more. I didn’t cry when The State went off the air, but I was really sad. Sure Viva Variety followed, but it wasn’t the same, and it didn’t last very long either.
I continued watching my recorded episodes but I wanted more. I prayed to every deity I could find that those wacky kids called The State would bring joy into my life once again. Well, one of those gods must have listened, cause in 2001 The State crew reunited and delivered us this wonderful film.
I can honestly save I’ve watched this movie more than any other. When I bought it I watched it every day for a week, showing everyone I could the hilarious fart track.
Don’t know what else I can say about this film. It’s one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen. If you haven’t, go out and rent, no, buy it. Yes. Go out and buy this movie right now. You won’t regret it.
