Mr_Ectoplasma This hammy slice of wonder has insecure yet talented cheerleader Alison (Betsy Russell) joining her team at a remote cheer camp where they are competing for titles that could propel their team to nationals. Things turn immediately sour when one of the girls is found dead in an apparent suicide, but things go from bad to worse overnight when someone starts picking the girls off on by one."Cheerleader Camp," (also known by the kitschy title "Bloody Pom Poms") is one of the few slasher films to emerge so late in the decade, when the sub-genre's big boom had already waned; similar films, such as "Sorority House Massacre" and "Return to Horror High" tended to be low caliber, low budget, and were ultimately waylaid by critics and audiences for their less-than-stellar production values. "Cheerleader Camp" falls in with this crop of films, hardly, if at all, making a footnote in the horror history books.Obviously a low budget endeavor, I have to commend "Cheerleader Camp" for really making the most out of what its production was working with. While this is a straightforward, classless slasher, there are some genuinely fun moments and some well-shot scenes, as well as decent gore effects. The flip-side of this means that the film is something of a lost opportunity, because it did have the potential to take out the eighties' slasher trend with a bang. It was destined for failure regardless after its distributor went bankrupt in the middle of its limited theatrical run, relegating it to the video store circuit in 1990.There is some black humor in the film that, combined with the familiar camp setting, is reminiscent of "Sleepaway Camp." There is also some misguided sex-comedy hi-jinx that round out the sleaze factor, and plenty of topless girls sunbathing at the river. These quirky elements of the film offset the darker edge it has— there are underlying themes of sexism, relationship abuse, suicide, jealousy, depression, insecurity, and anxiety that are unusually serious for a film of this type. Betsy Russell is somewhat effective as the protagonist who exemplifies many of these themes, with Leif Garrett playing her womanizer boyfriend, but the cast on the whole are playing eighties slasher clichés to the hilt, and the performances are rarely, if at all to be taken seriously. Normally I'd knock a film for having such hammy acting, but this film is of a specific league where underwhelming performances are the norm.The film's final act is almost destroyed by poor editing— things happen in such rapid, sloppy succession that it's hard for the viewer to orient themselves; it almost feels like the filmmakers haphazardly rushed the last act to makeup for lost time, which is not only a terrible mistake, but also a suspense neutralizer. In spite of this, the contrived ending is sickly satisfying, and, call me naive, but I didn't see it coming. In spite of how silly it all may be, there is something genuinely macabre about the final "cheer" scene that ends the film, and I think that sentiment goes for it as a whole.Overall, "Cheerleader Camp" is a surefire discussion piece for fans of late eighties slashers; it has all the makings: hammy acting, juvenile sex comedy, gory kills, and plenty of T&A from big-haired babes in the woods. In spite of it being a prime example of genre sleaze, I also found it to be a film that had promise which was destroyed by production decisions and budget problems. The film has a lot of heart and spunk, which contrasts with its more downbeat elements that really make it a dark gem in its own way. 7/10.

ebiros2 If the movie title has cheerleader as part of it then you're pretty sure that it's a sexploitation movie, and of course, this one is. You usually expect "very" low quality for a movie of this genre, but surprisingly, this movie is not that way.Betsy Russell, Leif Garrett and Lucinda Dickey stars in this movie which should tell you that this isn't such a bad movie, but host of other beauties brings up the interest factor a notch or two. Betsy Russell and Lucinda Dickey can act, and them being at the center of the movie guarantees that this movie won't be a complete dud. Although the plot isn't so good, the movie from start to finish holds together reasonably well.The scenes involving casts other than the girls, really should be taken out. The male actors are not the same caliber as the girls, and spoils the movie. If the movie revolved around just the girls, it would have been a lot better, even without the bodily exposure. The way the movie is shot also is pretty terrible. It's only a notch better than a home video.Despite the short comings, the girls saves the day on this movie, and makes this movie fun to watch.

BA_Harrison A 'Bring It On' style cheerleader competition is the setting for this enjoyably dumb 80s effort that combines the puerile humour with stalk 'n' slash parody (think Porky's crossed with Sleepaway Camp, and you won't be far off). It's incredibly stupid and unlikely to appeal to mainstream movie goers or 'serious' horror fans, but if you're a fan of trashy cult films, then this might well be worth checking out.The action begins as a team of top cheerleaders, plus hunk Brent (70s teen heart-throb Leif Garrett), fat slob Timmy (Travis McKenna), and mascot Cory (yummy Lucinda Dickey), arrive at Camp Hurrah to take part in a state-wide competition; but as cheer-leading battle commences, a mysterious killer begins to hack through the hot, high-kicking teens, leaving 'bloody pom-poms' (the film's alternative title) in their wake.As soon as lard-ass Timmy moons through the van window on arrival at the camp (perhaps the most stomach churning moment of the entire film), you know you're in for a seriously low-brow piece of entertainment, and amazingly, director John Quinn manages to keep the entertainment this unsophisticated for the entire film—quite an achievement: we get fart jokes, beautiful bimbos baring their breasts in a big-boob showdown, a cross-dressing prank, a humorous sex scene, a dreadful rap from Brent and Timmy, cheap but bloody gore, and a mascot dance-off (you ain't seen nothing till you've seen an alligator break-dance!).As far as the actual story goes, there are several possible candidates for camp maniac—including cheerleader Alison Wentworth (Betsy Russell), who is plagued by twisted nightmares and visions, shifty handyman 'Pop' (played by versatile bit-part actor George 'Buck' Flower), head camp counsellor Miss Tipton (Vickie Benson), and mullet-haired Brent—but it should come as no surprise when the real killer is revealed to be none other than Cory, the jealous team mascot (who, let's face it, is easily as hot as her pals).Whilst I'm not convinced that being relegated to wearing a reptile costume is a valid reason to go on a killing spree, it sure makes for a fittingly daft denouement to a seriously silly flick.

t7v7s First off, to answer L. Lion's comment, yes they do have actual cheerleader camps and, believe it or not, the mascots DO actually accompany the team. Now, as for the movie, this was a surprisingly good slasher film, especially seeing as it came out in the late 80's when they were all becoming parodies of themselves. Just watch "Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason Lives" for proof of that. It also stars many noticeable by face but not by name actors/actresses, such as Lorie Griffin, whose character would make it seem that she actually accomplished boning her brains out in "Teen Wolf", and now can't tell sarcasm or an insult if you slap her in the face with it. Apparently werewolf spooge causes brain cancer. Anyways, add a Phoebe Cates and Tobin Bell-less Betsy Russell whose character has seizures (probably from starring in "Tomboy"), Leif Garrett trying to relive his glory days by trying screw every girl in sight. He doesn't sing, but raps.... yeah, I'll leave that at that. Throw in 2 playboy playmates (only 1 of which shows her "qualifications" for that position), an annoying fat guy who was adopted in real life by the camp handyman Buck Flower (probably the only reason 1 or the other is even in this film), a silent but creepy cook, an over eccentric counselor, a horny cop, and the film's choreographer (who plays the mascot of all characters), and you have a decent last gasp for breath in the by then dying slasher genre. The acting is rather good for a film of its type, the deaths rather gory for an R-rated film, and enough T&A to keep the peanut gallery interested. The ending has a good twist that will surprise most viewers, but die hard film fans like myself will probably guess the killer's identity 1/4 the way into the movie (once you know it, is becomes rather obvious). The killers motivation is a good twist though. I recommend it. Only thing I still don't get from this film: How the Hell does the hottest member of the team get placed as the mascot? Yeah, you fight for the right to keep your alligator head off honey. Make the fat guy wear it. Or Leif Garrett. Maybe he'll find his career in there....