Woody Woodpecker, who has not appeared on the big screen, was given his first feature film, almost seven years ago in the year 2017. However, it’s safe to say that the film did not perform as expected. The investment in the film was $10 million but its total earnings stood at $15 million which is to put it mildly bad considering the premise. Especially so given the fact that the film is driven by a well-known character. It’s clear some things are better left untouched, and this movie is a perfect example.
The popular camp dodging continues, as the film is set to release this year in late 2024 with Woody Woodpecker Goes To Camp. But this time they have something new! The focus this time is on the characters the basis of the franchise and following the original story. The story of Bill engenders when after being thrown out of the woods Woody Woodpecker needs to seek a new shelter. While thinking that he has found a permanent place at the camp called Woo Hoo, he soon learns that the location is not that safe and an inspector is trying to close it.
It’s clear that you will be going in with lowered expectations but I say this: do not consider this as a sequel, it has nothing to do with the original, even the characters are different but the premise is rather basic. Remember ‘Cheaper By The Dozen 2’ and the two groups going up against each other with all sorts of games and camping challengers? Well this is pretty much the same only now Woody Woodpecker has been added into the mix.
If there is anything that sells this film, it is the original characters and the several easter eggs that were stuffed into this film. I’ve been a diehard Woody Woodpecker fan forever. During my childhood, this show was on all the time, and I have a clear recollection of the characters and their role descriptions. I would never skip a Woody Woodpecker picture even knowing it would turn out bad because I am just a fan of this character.
The CGI is decent, but not without its shortcomings. There is a factor that serves as a tip for the CGI’s bad appearance, that working with the human actors and the cartoon characters. It was amusing at times when the small kids were speaking to Woody Woodpecker and staring at the wall, though not in a good way. Kevin Michael Richardson is great as Buzz Buzzard, probably the character that people would praise the most because he is really close to the original character, and every shot of him fighting with Woody was so satisfying. I love these guys.
The script is terrible, we get it. Yes, cliche stories can even be entertaining but the dialogue in this movie was, I don’t even know how to put this, it was cringe worthy. Lame, pathetic and moments where they try to add some emotion in it and it just makes me chuckle from embarrassment. But it’s a kids movie so let’s not go to harsh on it. The acting is very poor. It is a movie which is surely going to bring some entertainment to little children but rest is in vain…
Woody Woodpecker Goes To Camp is a good movie for children or at least that’s how it seems. And that surely is the goal. It has its share of disappointing dialogues as well as a very stale story which is very unoriginal and boring. But hey, at least we have the original characters back, and I’m totally here for it.
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