Spoilers!
Five years after Angela's original killing spree, now working as a counsellor, she/he picks up her old habit murdering misbehaving teenagers at another summer camp.
Michael A. Simpson's Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers (aka Nightmare Vacation 2) hasn't the whodunit plot of its predecessor; but instead injects in some black comedy. Because we know the killers identity—part 2 is really is a series of daisy chained kills with nods to various horror franchises, including the likes of Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Bill Mills cinematography gives it some much needed scope.
Pamela Springsteen (sister of singer Bruce) replaces Felissa Rose as warped moralistic Angela, which unfortunately takes away the continuity. Still, Springsteen seems to enjoy the self-aware humor and executing the death scenes. Angela’s topical sexuality is left ambiguous; and isn't really explored or expanded upon. Notable are both Valerie Hartman and Susan Marie Snyder. However, Carol Chambers Brooke is memorable even if her screen time is limited. A-lister actor Walter Gotell also appears as Uncle John.
The sequel's tone is different, with a more 1980s mainstream appeal, Simpson throws in more nudity and drug use than Hiltzik's original as campers are played by older actors. The low-budget slasher special makeup effects add a little a little pizazz and gloss over the bumpy pace. There's enough beheadings, stabbings, strangulations and frat house-like antics to fill in the gaps. After the murder spree the cliffhanger ending oozes 80s horror complimented by its rock soundtrack.
Overall, it's paint by numbers staple 80s shenanigans, with enough kills to appease sub-genre fans.
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