Boot Camp – DVD Review

The Film:

Coincidentally only a few days before watching Boot Camp I was introduced to the subject matter through the documentary High. So when the film began and the introductory ‘based on actual events’ info text rolled on screen explaining the existence of boot camps that scare troubled youth straight and how they have virtually no government regulation I got excited, it was a topic I was curious to know more about. Unfortunately, although it was suspenseful and at times intense I have to call this movie mediocre at best. It just didn’t reach for the stars, almost like they were satisfied just getting the point across.

I think a big problem was that there were these little emo music montages scattered throughout the movie. I don’t mind it when a movie makes use of a song that is subtle and fitting that kind of fades into the scene, but when all of a sudden I’m watching a music video it pisses me off. Another major problem was a plot that felt very forced. As a whole it would have been more effective if the storyline hadn’t become such a stretch. It was definitely a movie that starts out very seriously and your buying what’s going on then when it progresses you lose interest as it becomes harder and harder to believe.

In spite of the problems with this movie I have to say that it was an interesting investigation into what happens to the human animal when they are broken down, it is terrifying to think that something like this actually happened. I did appreciate the coloration of the film as well; it had a really nice cold coloring that fit really well with the desolation of the island they were all imprisoned on. I have to say that I appreciate films that take on political subject matter. Drug law commentary is a big egg to crack but by focusing on a microcosm of it, these rehab centers, you can make a bigger statement since the audience knows this is only a piece of the puzzle.

The DVD:

There is nothing, no special features. Sometimes its not needed but in this case where the movie was there to inform it would have been nice to have a mini documentary or a behind the scenes with more facts about these boot camps. I learned a lot about them from the movie but I was hungry to know more, like the current state of the laws concerning these camps and maybe to hear from one of the actual victims of the camps.

Conclusion:

Without a doubt Boot Camp covers some interesting subject matter but it feels phoned in, like they did the bare minimum to get their point across. There are some suspenseful and shocking moments that put you on the edge of your seat but not enough to redeem this missed opportunity. It’s on the cusp of being relevant cinema but falls short with a forced storyline and some of the worst pop music montages I’ve ever seen.

The Flick: Rating:

The DVD: Rating:

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