I expected absolutely nothing from this fairly unknown and low-budgeted 90's horror anthology when they aired it on TV. Let's face it
it looks bad, it sounds bad and it's pretty obvious right away that it hasn't got anything to offer that you haven't seen a thousand times before already. And yet, despite all these negative omens, "Campfire Tales" is a surprisingly effective and competently made movie that I'm sure will satisfy young horror fanatics as well as more experienced genre admirers. The formula is so incredibly simply but it feels refreshing and undoubtedly more efficient than the majority of late 90's horror garbage like, say, "Scream" or "I know what you did last Summer". It's also a lot better than the contemporary movie it resembles, namely "Urban Legends". Like the title implies, "Campfire Tales" features three (four, actually
or maybe five) little stories that we all know already since people have been using them to scare other people since decades. The cool black & white intro revolves on a young couple hanging out on lover's lane while the news bulletin repeatedly warns for an escaped lunatic with a hook for a hand. This story is just a little teaser, but it's atmospheric and it stars the ravishingly beautiful Amy Smart! After this, there's more time and effort put into the so-called wraparound story, as it features four youngsters as they crash their car on their way back from an Iron Maiden concert! Whist waiting for help, they attempt to spook each other out by telling urban legends around the campfire. The first segment is the weakest, but still enjoyable thanks to a fair amount of suspense and good acting. A couple of newlyweds traveling through the States in a motor home have a nightly encounter with monsters. Too bad we never get to know what kind of monsters because the story goes straight for the famous climax. The second segment features an old given, too, but it's shockingly up-to-date! An anonymous pervert stalks a little girl through Internet chat rooms and then goes to her house at night! The title is "People can lick too", so I guess you know already which urban legend this is. The final chapter is arguable the best and really bathes in an uncanny atmosphere. A young man meets the girl of his dreams; only he doesn't realize she's the mute spirit of a girl that got killed centuries ago. The wraparound story keeps an unexpected end-twist in store as well! And a pretty great one, I may add. Certainly worth a look!
Review of Campfire Tales
