“Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution” is currently streaming on Netflix along with Oscar nominated films “The Trial Of Chicago 7,” “Mank,” “Hillbilly Elegy,” “Da 5 Bloods” & “Over The Moon.” It received crucial acclaim from critics and streamers alike. In addition to unanimous praise, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution became an eligible Oscar nominee for “Best Documentary Feature” competing against “My Octopus Teacher,” “Collective,” “The Mole Agent” & “Time.”
Before “The 2021 Academy Awards” air on April 25th, (which is the day after my mom’s birthday) I want to share my thoughts on this particular documentary if it’s definitely worth a watch.
Even though this is not a story or three-dimensional character driven movie, I’ll do my best listing a few elements as much as I can. Documentaries speak for themselves, because it is hard for me to pinpoint basic elements of a non-narrative movie, this review is pretty short so bear with me. Is Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution worth a watch? Let’s find out shall we?
Positive & Negative Elements
Positive: Former President & former First Lady Barack & Michelle Obama served as executive producers for the film courtesy of their production company Higher Ground Productions.
Bear McCreary (God Of War PS4, Godzilla: King Of The Monsters, Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.) orchestrated music.
Former campers are given interviews about their experience at Camp Jened. A camp inspired by the counterculture of The 60s with the counselors smoking dope. I know it sounds like something off of “Wet Hot American Summer,” but this was “The Woodstock Era” when everybody was stoned. One of the campers describes it as a utopia. They band together for disability rights in The 70s prior to “The Disability Act” officially enacted in 1990. Three years before I was born.
Besides attending Camp Jened, the former campers share the ups and downs about their personal lives and where they work.
The former campers protest in San Francisco & Washington D.C. for nearly a month demanding disability rights. They finally got their wish in 1990.
Actual footage and photographs shows significant moments from the past detailing what we’re seeing the former campers having a fun time at Camp Jened, protesting for a noble cause and their personal lives.
A “Where Are They Montage” reveals the current status of the former campers and Camp Jened.
Negative: To be honest with you fellas, I couldn’t find nothing wrong with this documentary. I’m giving it an Extra Point.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution is a fascinating documentary involving former campers who made an impact on society making history as they managed to demand rights ultimately enacting The Disability Act. If you’re curious to know about Camp Jened and the people who attended, I strongly recommend this Oscar nominated movie. Don’t forget to check out other documentaries from last year including “The Last Blockbuster,” “Class Action Park,” “Showbiz Kids” & “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart.” If you have nothing to do, watch Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution right now. Definitely worth your spare time.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 