Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland

Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland is a 1989 slasher film that continues the story of the infamous Angela Baker, a disturbed camper who exacts brutal revenge on those she deems unworthy.

The film starts with a montage of Angela (Pamela Springsteen) disposing of the bodies of her previous victims, before cutting to a group of teenagers arriving at Camp New Horizons for their summer retreat. The camp is split into two sides: the rich kids, who are staying in cabins with electricity and hot water, and the poor kids, who are stuck in the primitive woods. Angela is among the latter group, under the guise of a camper named Maria.

Almost immediately, Angela starts planning her next killing spree, targeting the rich and snobby campers who look down on her and her peers. She manages to blend in by befriending a group of girls, including the popular Cindy (Haynes Brooke), who is constantly vying for attention from the boy campers.

As the campers participate in various activities, such as archery and talent shows, Angela begins to pick them off one by one, using elaborate and often gruesome methods. She also starts to develop a rivalry with Snowboy (Michael J. Pollard), the quirky and bumbling chef who seems to suspect her true identity.

Meanwhile, the police begin investigating the disappearances of several campers, but Angela manages to evade suspicion by posing as different people and using her charm to win over the authorities. The tension builds as the surviving campers begin to suspect each other of being the killer, and Angela becomes more and more brazen in her attacks.

The climax of the film takes place during a tense game of Capture the Flag, where the remaining campers split into teams and battle it out in the woods. Angela uses this chaos to her advantage, setting traps and dispatching her enemies in brutal ways. In the end, the truth about her identity is revealed, leading to a shocking and bloody finale.

Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland is a classic slasher film that delivers on both gore and suspense. Pamela Springsteen gives a powerful performance as Angela, who is both terrifying and sympathetic in equal measure. The supporting cast, including Tracy Griffith as the tough-talking Tony and Michael J. Pollard as the lovable Snowboy, also shine in their roles.

While the film does feature its fair share of cheesy 80s dialogue and over-the-top kills, it is also surprisingly nuanced in its portrayal of class differences and the struggles of marginalized communities. The poor campers, including Angela, are shown as being just as capable and deserving of happiness as their richer counterparts, and their resentment at being treated unfairly is palpable.

Overall, Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland is a must-see for fans of the slasher genre, as well as anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned summer camp romp with a dark twist. It is a worthy successor to the previous Sleepaway Camp films, with just enough twists and turns to keep viewers guessing until the very end.