YMMV / Ernest Goes to Camp

• Alternate Character Interpretation: Did Stennis make Moose swim in the deep water, full aware that he can't swim, thinking it was his own good (and supposedly "the Stennis way"), or was he intentionally trying to kill the boy?
  • Do Pennington and Brooks bully the second chance kids just because they are bullies, or do they see them as easy targets because, with them being juvenile delinquents, they figure they can provoke the boys into fighting and the staff would likely believe whatever they say over what the second chance kids say? Additionally, did Pennington accidentally leave his canteen (with his name on it) by the teepee they set on fire, or was it intentionally left there as a calling card (and done to provoke them into fighting them so they can be kicked out of camp, as the canteen could be explained as circumstantial evidence)? This would explain why they don't seem to be reprimanded by the camp staff while the second chance boys do.
  • Does Mr. Tipton finally give Ernest a job as camp councilor because they're short-staffed, in need of a councilor for the second chance kids (and none of the other councilors want to deal with them), and he knows Ernest has been wanting to be a camp councilor, or does he recognize that Ernest regularly gets into accidents and survives things that he shouldn't, and figures that makes him a good fit for these kids?
• First Installment Wins: It took a few more Ernest movies for the Sequelitis to really set in, but this is still the most famous and well-regarded of the bunch.
• He Really Can Act: Since the movie had to give Ernest more slow, emotional scenes to make him tolerable for a feature film, Jim Varney gets a chance to show that he's an actor first and foremost and a guy who makes funny faces second. His Rousing Speech to the kids in their bunk is surprisingly tender.
• Hilarious in Hindsight: Pristine land, owned by Natives, under threat from a mining company looking for a rare mineral? You're either describing this film or Avatar.
• Moral Event Horizon:
  • Pennington and Brooks, two bullies at the camp, pick on the boys (and to a lesser extent Ernest) in a few ways, but really cross the line when they set their teepee on fire.
  • Krader actively trying to murder Ernest.
  • Stennis learns that Moose can't swim, but makes him get in the deep water anyway, by dropping him into the water. Moose would have drowned if Ernest didn't rescue him.
• Retroactive Recognition: Richard Speight Jr. (whom Supernatural fans know as Gabriel) had his first mainstream, theatrical role (and second role altogether) playing one of the campers.
  • Scott Menville, later known for his prolific and iconic voice-over roles, plays Crutchfield.
• Tear Jerker: "Gee I'm Glad It's Raining".

---