After ten years of delays and god knows what, Return to Sleepaway Camp is finally here, and I’m glad it is. Camp Arawak veterans Paul DeAngelo, Felissa Rose and Jonathan Tiersten join new camp owner Vincent Pastore and Isaac Hayes (as The Chef) at Camp Manabe for more bloody vacation violence.

In 2008 when fans still believe that Hatchet was a “throw-back” to the slasher film, and the younger generation is cheering on the Saw franchise, it was nice for this aging horror fan to be able to take a trip back to his childhood. Simply put, if you were a fan of the other Sleepaway Camp sequels, then you will enjoy Return to Sleepaway Camp. Surprisingly, this movie was even better acted and filmed than a lot of the crap coming out on DVD recently, which makes me wonder why newer filmmakers can’t seem to get the low-budget horror film right these days. It was minus that shiny shot-on-DVD look, over-the-top kitsch, and it didn’t try to outthink itself — basically just a good old-fashioned, predictable slasher film.

The introduction of Alan as the new uncomfortable/weird teen at Camp was the highlight of the film. It brought back the creepy but innocent Angela element missing from parts 2 and 3. Alan is the type of character you want to kill one minute, then feel bad for the next, but can never get enough of. He also gives Angela (Part 1 Angela) a run for her money in the awkward department, making you very uncomfortable every time he shows up on screen.

Return to Sleepaway Camp delivers just enough nostalgia, kills and campy fun to make it one of the horror highlights of 2008. Older fans should love it and hopefully it will turn a few open-minded newer fans on to one of horror’s more enjoyable and simple franchises. Just keep repeating: “Thank God it’s Not a Remake!?!”