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Funny Ernest Goes to Camp Gifs

Ernest Goes to Camp (1987) Poster

7 /10

Ernest is my hero

While many have put down the Ernest series, I have always held a special place in my movie collection for this particular film. Sure, it wasn't an Oscar worthy film and it didn't have much of a script, but it quickly introduced us to an icon which I will consider one of my favorite movie characters of all time. Ernest P. Worrel embodied so many simplicities, yet he was sensible and likable simply because of his down-home nature. Also, this film embodied the old story line of the loser teaching the bully a lesson, which is a story paradigm I have always levitated toward. A good heart warming story that was cool and fun to watch.

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The one that started it all.

This was the first "Ernest" film, and I've been reading a lot of people's comments, how they're bashing this movie, and saying it wasn't good. I disagree. "Ernest Goes To Camp" is a great "Ernest" film. The plot is very solid, and Jim Varney's first theatrical movie as the dim witted Ernest P. Worrell was a LAUGH RIOT!!!! Varney did a great job in this film, and this was the movie that got me hooked into "Ernest" films in the first place.

Jim Varney Rules (I miss you!!)!

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9 /10

the funniest of the ernest films.

This is by far, the funniest ernest p. worrell flicks ever. What I still like about it, its that not only is it heartwarming and rejuvenated; but from the series itself, this is the only normal one I consider funny. I know its slapstick comedy when Ernest gets squash from a coke machine or when he is flying from the toliet; but at least he's not chasing trolls, playing basketball, in the army, in africa, in jail, saving santa, or worse yet, school. I can't go any farther than this, but this is the only ernest flick that I will only watch, and still like until the day I die.

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One of the best summer camp movie ever!

Wacky and undeniably funny, the Ernest movies are one of a kind. No other movie series can capture the same level of fun slapstick hijinks and goofiness of the Ernest series, not even the POLICE ACADEMY movies.

When I first saw this movie, I didn't think much of it. I didn't think it was a bad movie, but I didn't think that it was a good movie either. However, after seeing the movie a second time, I grew to appreciate the crazy antics of Ernest and he instantly became one of my favorite movie characters.

It is in ERNEST GOES TO CAMP that Ernest is at his best. The movie contains some hilarious scenes between Ernest and the campers, which help make this one of the best summer camp movies ever. Jim Varney, possibly the most underrated actor of the 1990s, was able to create such a unique and interesting character with this movie that it is really hard to dislike Ernest. There is a little Ernest in us all. Rest in peace, Jim Varney. Your legacy lives on!

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7 /10

The First and Best Ernest Film

A group of juvenile criminals is sent for vacation to Kamp Kikakee. The clumsy Ernest (Jim Varney) has to care for them, although he doesn't even know how to take care of himself.

There were a handful of good Ernest films. "Saves Christmas" is excellent, and both "Goes to Jail" and "Scared Stupid" are pretty good. This may be the best one, though. It really tried to have a deeper message that appealed both to kids and adults. It may be silly, it might have delinquents who seem like nice kids, and it may have a Sicilian who plays an Indian chief... but it is a good movie.

I understand why this film has an overall low rating, but it should not be as low as it currently is (5.4 in September 2015). This is a true children's classic.

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Give it a try...

Ernest goes to camp was released in 1987 to not so good reviews. That didn't stop people from going to the theater. The film brought in nearly 25 million domestically. That's pretty good considering the film cost only 3 million to make. This movie might not be award winning, but if truly watched, you'll find that Ernest P. Worrell isn't as annoying after all. He can be funny at times. The story isn't all that bad for being written by unknowns. It involves Ernest, a goofball counselor who must save his camp from being destroyed by miners with the help of some juvenile kids. It's more interesting than it sounds. Give it a try, you'll know in the first 15 minutes whether it's your kind of movie or not.

Rating: C+

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A hilarious movie. KnowhutImean?

Ernest Goes To Camp is hilarious. Here we have Ernest P. Worrell working as a janitor at a summer camp and then getting promoted to camp counselor. As he guides a group of juvenile delinquents, the camp is in danger of being lost to a mining company. Undeterred, Ernest sets out to save the camp from destruction. The late Jim Varney was great as the klutzy but well-meaning Ernest P. Worrell. The late John Vernon did well as Sherman Krader, the corrupt mining company owner. This enjoyable movie is filled with slapstick humor and physical comedy.

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10 /10

Jim Varney Kicks Ass

Jim Varney was a good man and his movies are always funny and entertaining. Jim knew what the people wanted and put his soul into his movies. They are emotional, funny, and entertaining all at the same time. Jim was a movie god and his movies deserve nothing less than a 10 rating because they were more than excellent. R.I.P. Jim "Ernest" Varney

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9 /10

Classic late 80's Camp Comedy!!

I remember seeing this at the theater and Loved it!! 32 years later and still loving it and can't wait to let my son watch it. RIP Jim Varney your legend lives on. Thank you for this classic. I kinda tear up when you sing Gee I'm Glad it's Raining.

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6 /10

A pleasant distraction

Ernest's summer camp adventure is actually his second feature-length adventure after he began life in TV commercials (not a lot of people know he actually starred in Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam the year before), and it's fairly standard mid-80s family fare.

The clumsy handyman (played, by the late, ever appealing Jim Varney) gets a job as a counselor for delinquent kids who are having trouble fitting in with the more privileged lot. Through pain and pranks he manages to build their confidence. A very tacked-on subplot about an evil businessman wanting scam the Indian camp owner in order to mine the area into oblivion builds to a moderately entertaining climax as Ernest and the kids revolt.

It reminded me a lot of Meatballs and Bushwhacked (both better films) and while it's shot for the big screen (in lovely anamorphic Panavision) John Cherry still directs like it's for TV, and clearly should have done more takes and rehearsals. I doubt kids will notice or care, but it gives the film the rushed feel of a TV production.

Worth watching, if only just once.

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second best ernest movie

ernest goes to camp is a funny movie. it's the second best ernest movie,second only to ernest goes to jail. this movie may be the most serious of all ernest movies,if you can believe any are serious. i give ernest goes to camp *** out of ****

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6 /10

Camping out with Ernest

With the 'Ernest' film series, there are people who get much entertainment out of them and finds a lot of appeal in Ernest. There are also people who dislike, or even outright hate, the films and find the character annoying.

For me, while they are not great films, the 'Ernest' films are mostly silly harmless fun that don't try to be any more than they need to be. They're mostly uneven but entertaining in a guilty pleasure sort of way, and Ernest is the sort of the character one can relate to easily. The sort of character that is a well-intended serial bungler with a strong heart but always finding himself messing up. 'Ernest Goes to Camp' was the film that started it all off, and while not one of the series' best to me it really wasn't bad.

'Ernest Goes to Camp' is an uneven film sure. It is thin in story which makes the tacked-on and ridiculously over-the-top evil businessman/company subplot and ending even more muddled and out of place. Low budget does show in some of the slapdash camera work.

Not all the humour and sentimentality work, though mostly do. Some of the slapstick is very childish, even for an Ernest film, and some of the sentimentality is cloying and cornball. Other than Jim Varney and the appealing children, the rest of the cast are not all that memorable.

Varney however is immensely likable and great fun as Ernest, thought he had a lot of charm and to be honest in the 'Ernest' films in general the mugging that he has been criticised for is to me not that apparent. The camp setting is nicely nostalgic, for anybody with fond memories of camping will it will be like a trip down memory line, and the music is an energetic delight.

It was said earlier that not all the humour and sentimentality worked. Most does, from personal opinion that is. Most of the time it was a range of being quite amused to being in hysterics in the laughter factor, and there are some sweet and touching moments. Also appreciated some of the messaging/values done without preaching.

Overall, not a bad start for Ernest even if it's not one of his best. 6/10 Bethany Cox

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10 /10

Hilarious, even if it is stupid. Knowwhaddamean?

Maybe the Ernest movies had no cinematic value, but you have to accept them for what they are: pure, unadulterated fun. In this case, Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) is working at a summer camp, where some "second chance" kids have just arrived. Most of the movie is an excuse to have Ernest get into a series of embarrassing situations, but then he has to try and protect the camp from an unctuous developer (John Vernon).

Like I said, you have to accept the Ernest movies, if only to watch him mess everything up all the time. He's like Gilligan: he always tries his best, but always manages to bungle things. It's quite certain that Jim Varney will be missed.

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10 /10

This is the Ernest movie that started it all.....

"Ernest Goes to Camp" (1987), this movie, in my opinion, is the best Ernest film in the Ernest P. Worrell movie franchise. Also, this movie is another one of my top 10 all-time favorite comedy films! Jim Varney is also one of my top 10 all-time favorite comedy actors! Here's a little bit of history for you all, Jim Varney got his start in a variety of 1980's television commercials. Those commercials were so popular, that they actually have a DVD box set out today, showcasing all of his commercials. I'm usually not a fan of TV commercials, but Jim Varney's commercials as the Ernest P. Worrell character are rare exceptions where I really enjoy them. If you see that DVD collection in your local store, I highly recommend purchasing it, or you can find his commercials on YouTube. Any way, back to the review! This is Jim Varney's official on-screen debut as the Ernest P. Worrell character. It's usually a gamble to take a commercial icon and put them in a motion picture. But, this was a gamble that definitely paid off. "Ernest Goes to Camp" is a great movie! It has a perfect story, perfect acting, perfect special effects, perfect sets/locations, and a perfect soundtrack to tie it all together. The story, at first glance, sounds like your typical everyday summer camp film. But I assure you, that it's everything but, in a good way! Ernest gets promoted to be camp counselor, who has to take care of a group of juvenile delinquents. There are plenty of great morals and lessons learned, with comedy thrown in throughout to keep it fun and exciting. As far as the acting goes, all of the actors and actresses perform their characters perfectly. Obviously, the shining star is Jim Varney as Ernest P. Worrell. He really makes this movie! Had some other different character, rather than Jim Varney as Ernest played the main role, it may not have worked. Jim Varney has also played a few other characters, but I consider Ernest P. Worrell to be his signature role! This movie shows his full complexity as an actor, and then some. The children playing the juvenile delinquents do a great job with their roles, Victoria Racimo does a nice job as the camp nurse, and Ernest's potential love interest. Iron Eyes Cody plays Chief St. Cloud, and this was his final on-screen appearance. He has also been in a few commercials, as well as movies. But he does a stellar job in his role! John Vernon is a brilliant villain, and Lyle Alzado is a great henchman. The special effects are very well done, and they still hold up today. Practical effects always beat CGI any day! The sets/locations are very beautiful, being filmed in Tennessee. I love the landscape of the southeastern USA! Finally, the soundtrack is very well done and truly sets the tone for the film. There is one emotional song, sung by Ernest P. Worrell, which is just as relevant today as it was back then. Every time I hear him sing that song, I actually get goosebumps! I do not get goosebumps very often, for a song to give me chills like that is an impressive feat, and it's sung by a comedian! "Ernest Goes to Camp" is a comedic marvel, and it's always a ton of fun to watch. No matter what mood I'm in, it's guaranteed to put a smile on my face, and I know it will do the same for you. I can watch this movie over and over again and never get tired of it. Of course, I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 stars. To finish my review, let's have a moment of silence for the late, but great actors; Jim Varney, Iron Eyes Cody, John Vernon, and Lyle Alzado. The four of you have really helped bring this movie to life! If you haven't seen "Ernest Goes to Camp", or any of the other Ernest movies, what are you all waiting for? Go check them out today, I guarantee you'll enjoy them. To quote Ernest P. Worrell: "Know what I mean?"

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10 /10

This is great

Sometimes, a film made for the childish audience can transcend time and generations and become widely accepted by all. Rocketman with Harland Williams did, and i believe that so has Ernest Goes To Camp. There is just a serious enough a theme to the film of the heartless land developer trying to drive the low earning camp off the property, but Jim Varney manages to keep it silly enough to be entertaining. This film has some great moments, and it is worth the *now* retail price of like $5-8 just to see the fashions these kids in the late 80's wore. Also, being 17 now, i grew up at the same time as this film. Look out for the song i'm awfully glad it's raining sung by Varney. It makes me teary everytime i hear it.

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2 /10

Ernest Was A Good Guy, But This Movie Was His Worst

This is one of the worst of the "Ernest films," starring the likeble Jim Varney. Good 'ole "Ernest B. Worrell" might be a good guy - and Varney was a wonderful comedian almost all of us loved, even if just for his famous television commercials - but I didn't really care for this movie.

It was mostly the obnoxious kids in here that ruined things for me. They weren't in the "Midstate Boys Detention Camp" for no reason: they were nasty. Oh, all that is but one: the black kid, of course. The white kids are all bad. Can you say "political correctness?" Can you save "reverse racism?" Sorry to see that racial nonsense in an Ernest, but there's more Liberal baloney in here, too.

Football player (and no actor) Lyle Azado plays one of the bad guys. That also tells you something about the quality of this lamebrain effort.

"Ernest" has a mission in this movie: "Shaping and molding youthful minds into a focused world view." Yeah, right.

Still, I miss Jim Varney.

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The quintessential Ernest film

"Ernest Goes to Camp", the quintessential Ernest film, introduces the mass population to the dim, innocuous Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney). Many of us had seen the Ernest & Vern commercials prior to the film's release, but the movie gave all of us a special glimpse into the life of this simple country boy.

In this particular film Ernest is the lone handyman at Kamp Kikakee, a summer camp for young boys, whose premise is based on ancient Native American principles and traditions. Ernest enjoys his job and simple life very much, but he longs to be promoted to the position of camp counselor so he can "shape and mold young minds into a focused world view". Ernest may just get his chance...

The state governor has ordered the camp to take part in his Second Chance program, which will allow a group of juvenile deliquents from the State Institute for Boys to take part in the camp's activities, and, hopefully, clean up their acts.

The evil, military-minded Counselor Stennis - who is almost reminiscent of Douglas Niedermeyer from "Animal House" - takes a crack at knocking the second-chancers into place, but strikes out when they stage a coup and break his ankle. Head Counselor/Manger Tipton is in a bind. He knows none of his counselors will want to take charge of the deliquent boys now, so he enlists naive Ernest to do the job.

Ernest takes his new duties, and the boys, very seriously, but the boys could care less about him, until the camp nurse sets them straight (i.e., "Ernest is the only person in the world who even wanted to know you"). Meanwhile, a strip mining company on the upper part of the river has been trying to talk Chief St. Cloud, owner of the campgrounds, into turning the land over to them so they can mine the land for petrocite. The Chief, who speaks no english, turns the mining company down twice, through his granddaughter (the camp nurse). Lo and behold, Sherman Krader, the mining company CEO, cons Ernest - the only other person at the camp who can speak the Chief's native Indian language - into getting the Chief to sign the release papers.

The camp is going to close. The second-chancers will be sent back to the state institution. This looks like a job for ERNEST! He and the deliquents devise a plan to scare away the strip mining company, which involves blowing up all of their equipment. The plan doesn't really work because Sherman Krader arrives on the scene with a fully-loaded rifle to shoot ring-leader Ernest (and...let's face it...in the real world Ernest and the kids would have been sued because of their thoughtless plan). Luckily though, the camp nurse went behind them all and got the judge to issue a restraining order against the mining company. Later, Krader's attorney admits that they bamboozled the Chief so the camp is saved, the second-chancers get to stay at the camp year-round, and Ernest becomes a full-fledged counselor (although he still performs his handyman duties).

A string of inferior Ernest films were released, up until Jim Varney's death a few years ago (he was 51). "Ernest Goes to Camp" is the only one worth seeing, unless you have children who might enjoy the films. I was nine years-old when I saw this flick in the theater, and I still enjoy it! Saw it on DVD for the first time today!

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Ernest is a Genius

OK, I might be the only person who thinks so. You must admit that Jim Varney, rest his soul, was a pop-cultural icon, whether you liked him or not. I don't think the only thing this particular film of his (though it is not his best) has to offer is his facial contortions. The writing is pretty hilarious, as long as you free your mind to it's ultimate stupidity. Anyone who doesn't appreciate a grown man calling his pet turtle a "heartless beast" is missing the point.

"There is a fine line between stupid and clever," once said David St. Hubbins of Spinal Tap. Sometimes genius is not appreciated until long after all the neigh-sayers are dead or gone. Remember, Citizen Kane was a flop at the box office.

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5 /10

Okay first at bat for Ernest

I am a big fan of Jim Varney and his Ernest P Worrell character. I saw all four of the Ernest movies in the theater. I saw "Ernest Goes to Camp" in theater (Cinema City, Fresh Meadows, NY) when I was 23 years old. "Goes to Camp" is my least favorite of the theatrical movies. It has a lot of funny parts but there's too much downtime. The movie is too serious at times and is way too violent at one point. That said, I still enjoy watching "Ernest Goes to Camp'. I just don't watch it as much as I watch the other movies in the series. (True confessions: I snuck into this movie after watching "Ishtar".)

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3 /10

Almost painful to watch at times.

Other than this movie featuring Ernest from all those wacky commercials, this movie just plays out as your basic summer camp movie. Why is it so bad, because you have Ernest as the main character, plus very annoying children, and a silly subplot involving some company trying to take over the camp. I just do not think the Ernest character should be center stage for a movie. The short lived television show was the only thing this character needed as it featured other characters and such to draw some of the focus away from Ernest himself. Lets face it, the character got his start in commercials as a rather annoying individual and it was funny to see him torment Vern, but more funny to see Vern get back at Ernest for bothering him in the first place. The movie here would feature a couple of the characters from the television show as cooks and they provide some comedy and Ernest has his moments. However, most of the movie is rather groan inducing and to top it off it gets overly sentimental at times as well. I can not really recommend this movie unless perhaps you have seen his other movies and liked them. Granted if you have seen them I am sure you saw this his first movie.

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8 /10

Classic "children of all ages" comedy.

Sorry for the cliche, but the title describes the way I feel about the Ernest movies. If you can, watch the movie with at least one child below the age of say about 12. It's similar in some ways to Sponge Bob and the Three Stooges in that once the other people in the "audience" start laughing you'll loosen up and laugh too. And, one more cliche, "laughter is the best medicine." This movie is the first Ernest movie I watched and my favorite is "Scared Stupid."

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2 /10

I Must've Aged Out of This One

Textbook example of a movie that worked when you were eight years old, with significantly diminishing returns. I must've watched this a hundred times, back when Ernest was still a minor national phenomenon, then left it on the shelf for three decades before a recent re-visit with my kids. Today the roles have reversed, of course, and while the youngsters cheered for exploding toilets and parachuting box turtles, I rolled my eyes at the tacky one-liners and lazy, cut-rate production.

Jim Varney really is the film's sole redeeming quality, recklessly hurling himself into the title role with unconditional abandon. He's boundlessly energetic, a short-fused bundle of nonstop physical comedy with a halting, drawl-tinged voice. No wonder he caught on for a brief, fifteen-minute flirtation with fame. Ernest is about more than easy laughs, too. Varney's charisma is magnetic, with a noticeable trace of sweetness at the root of it all. He's garish and one-note, but that inherent, simple openness is genuine and disarming. The story might force-feed him into sappy situations, befriending a bullied kid and standing up to the ultimate 80s stereotype (a corporate businessman with no respect for nature, the horror), but we can't really blame him for failing to polish that brown nugget. It wasn't for lack of trying.

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1 /10

jaw-dropping

I was completely shocked at how bad the humor in this movie is. my jaw literally dropped in the first minute of the movie. i almost stopped it after 3 minutes, which would have been a record for me. the only reason i kept going is because i couldn't look away. i watched in disbelief at how horrendous this movie is. i made it to the 19 minute mark before quitting. only watch this movie is your are 5 years old (about 3 viewings, 11/21/2020

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5 /10

Campy Camp

Warning: Spoilers

When I was a kid, Ernest was the man. Even if he was not the typical "man," he was still someone I looked up to and laughed with and I saw someone that could entertain with a heart.

Ernest Goes to Camp was a movie I finally got my hands on following my multiple views of (Part II) Ernest Saves Christmas and (Part III) Ernest Goes to Jail. Back in those days, movies weren't always readily available. Sadly, I wasn't as impressed back then with this outing when I already was in love with the improved sequels.

In today's times, I'm still on the fence. I did have fun, and did laugh a lot with this romp of a camp counselor wannabe, but it wasn't as good as I remember his follow-ups to be.

What is nice about the character Ernest, from the dearly departed Jim Varney, was how big his heart was and how well he could connect with children, even as an adult. Literally, despite the slapstickness of his act, he was a genius in his connection with the youth. At the time, I was part of that, and I will never forget him or his "Ernest." Ever.

Poor, dysfunctional Ernest. He yearns to evolve from a maintenance/janitor at a summer camp to full-fledged Camp Counselor. The kids don't really respect him, the staff pities him and yet, his pure heart strives on.

When the opportunity arises, he's assigned troubled kids and does all he can to lift their spirits while…running into objects, getting bit, providing poor advice and eating goo not fit for man. But, when the going gets tough, he leads the rascals against the big, bad man who wants to harvest the camp's land for profit.

In all honesty, it may not be the best message to send to kids in the climax, but it's just for fun. And it is a lot of fun. Even some unintentional sexually explicit statements are made, but maybe I twisted those from my warped mind.

I digress. I think this is great for young kids and adults who remember him from their childhood. And let me tell you: It's refreshing to see a wooded camp movie without a killer on the loose!

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Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092974/reviews