Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot

Wet Hot American Summer had the critics polarized in its initial release, but now the film has made a solid stand in the greats of cult classic comedies. Hurrican of Fun is great if you are a fan of the film and the TV show prequel, but for anyone outside this demographic, this documentary has little point. But being a fan of the film, I got to see where every actor can from before (most of) their debuts. It's entertaining, funny and a good way to chew through an hour if you have nothing else to do.

A good documentary and a good film overall. Hurricane of Fun provides some hysterical behind the scenes moments when filming of Wet Hot American Summer began and finished. Maybe not for all, but die-hard fans of the film and series will have their mouth watering over this great find.

In 2000, David Wain and Michael Showalter have gathered an interesting cast. Some are well known. Janeane Garofalo is an early recruit and Christopher Meloni is surprisingly funny despite his darker on screen work. Many others are lesser known. For example, Bradley Cooper is only two days out of school. Most have not hit their future highs. Amy Poehler is lovely and fun. Paul Rudd is a charmer. Everybody is forced to live the camp life for real. It rains way too much especially considering the movie takes place on one sunny day at camp. There is the SNAP game where the cast and crew have to guess at the rules. They are young and new. They become great friends. It really was summer camp for these people. One really wants to join them. At first, the movie floundered both critically and at the box office. Eventually, it becomes a cult-classic especially considering the star power before their rise.

Anyone who is gorging on Wet Hot American Summer or it's series prequel on Netflix will giggle with glee at this fun documentary. Many hours of footage shot behind the scenes come together to create this, reminding viewers WHAS was the first feature for many actors who are part of mainstream cinema now. Essentially, the shoot was one big party, plagued only by many days of rain. Off-screen antics rival that of the intentional on-screen ones. So, if you want to see cast and crew commingle over brews, trying to crack one another up during set lag times and rain days, then this is for you. Makes filmmaking combined with summer camp seem like the best American pastime!

I had the pleasure of working for the restaurant that catered food for the cast and crew for twenty something very rainy days. Everyone should have this opportunity to work with the film industry. I believe that most people are disillusioned thinking that it is a glamorous life. In the short period I worked with this great group, I witnessed a team of dedicated hard working people "living the camp life" and working in unbelievable weather conditions while still accomplishing their goal. I also had the chance to view the call sheets on a daily basis which gave me a great understanding of how hard these people worked. During the little time they had off, the cast made multiple appearances at the restaurant and bar that we worked at and mingled with the locals. The regulars enjoyed the experience and helped them to understand that actors are real people just like us. In my 40+ years in the hospitality industry we have had several film industry experiences and thoroughly enjoyed working with them. The most memorable part of WHAS was the daily comments by David Wain on the call sheet. On the last day of the shoot he said, "Thank you cast and crew, we have achieved comedy in the rain..... ! Yes you have, and I personally thank you for this documentary, it brings back tons of memories! God Bless You All!! Jeff Hiller former Caterer and Bartender at The Fireside in Honesdale, PA