High School Boot Camp (2000 TV Movie) User Reviews

Does the program actually work ??

[chic_in_pink · 5/10 · 25 August 2007]

I live in Palm Beach County where Eagle Academy is located. It's in Belle Glade and I'm in Lake Worth but I still know quite a few people who have gone there. My teacher's son went there, my friend Rhys went there, and now my friend Zac's going there. Although the movie shows these kids getting over their problems, I have doubt in the program since Rhys is worse now than he was before he went to Eagles. No doubt the movie's good, it's the actual school I don't think works as well as I or they would hope. I want to see these kids get help but I don't think shipping them off to boot camp is the way to do it. I miss Zac so much and he's only been gone for less than a week. All the people that I know of that went there only had a few minor problems- pot, drinking, etc. If they put every kid in my school who smoked pot or drank they'd have over 3,300 kids in that school, including me (but I don't smoke). It's just a problem that almost every teen has. The good thing is that all the teens go VOLENTARILY. Zac wanted to go so I supported his decision. It would be much worse if they forced them to go. That's just not right.

Awesome documentary

[chaplins_charlie · 10/10 · 15 August 2004]

50 boys (aged 13-18) are headed to a boot camp in Florida to try and clean up their lives. Witness these street punks turn into fine young men and hear the boys comment on everything from the constant yelling of the drill sargeants to the compliments on how the Eagles Academy changed their lives completely. A definite must see. There's very sad moments yet very happy moments. The boys must not only learn to change their lives but to believe in themselves which proved wasn't easy at times. Great documentary!! Just the respect the young men gain while spending 5 months in this academy is amazing. Watch how drill sargents become friends and how the families of these boys experience the change for the first time.

This is good for your disobedient child.

[Hunky Stud · 9/10 · 8 October 2008]

I wasn't planning to write a comment until after I saw the only two comments left on here, so here I am. And my web browser somehow crashed twice while I was writing this. This should be my third try.

I am surprised that the rating is so low. It is a pretty good documentary to me. Of course, don't expect for the same quality of TV reality shows with good looking casts, full of personal dramas. This is real life. Those young adults are rough, their attitude is nonchalant. Some of them were born in the dysfunctional families, so it is hard for them to change even if they want to.

The director used a real recruit's narrative commentary for many scenes, that made it more authentic. It is amazing that a kid at his age can actually be so articulate. If I am not mistaken, he was the one who ended in the jail after this.

So parents, if you have a disobedient child, ask him/her to watch this. Boot camp is not fun, wait till they get in jails, that would be even worse. Be sure to watch the "where they are now" in the bonus section. Some of them were able to change, and become better people. Some ended up in jail. One particular guy was living in a trailer, he certainly doesn't have a bright future. I am sure that your children will be more appreciative for what they have now after watching this documentary.