Shoved into the ex-rental bargain bin, poor ol' State park just doesn't get the recognition that it deserves. Being a fan of the summer camp comedy genre, I took a chance on it, and I'm really glad I did. I remember seeing it time after time at the video shop when I was growing up, but for some reason it was always left behind in favour of Zapped Again or Girls Just Want to Have Fun. But thanks to IMDB and my curiosity I managed to uncover it and found a VHS copy fairly cheap on eBay. I was sold on the US title alone: Heavy Metal Summer. Although, there isn't really much that's heavy metal about it, except for maybe Rocket, Louis and Ted Nugent. But even they come off more Glam Rock than heavy metal, but I'll get to that later.

Three best friends, Eve, Marsha & Linnie head off to Weewankah Park for some summer fun before heading off to college. Linnie plans to get married to her boyfriend Eddie and go to beauty school even though the other girls think that she shouldn't "buy the first dress she tries on". Eve plans to win the Weewankah Park annual wilderness race, so she can put the cash prize towards her college tuition, now that her parents have had to declare bankruptcy. The biggest problem in Marsha's life is, well, she didn't get a new car last year.

Meanwhile, heavy metal dude Johnny Rocket and his dimwitted but well meaning drummer Louis are on their way to LA, but decide to stop for a rest at Weewankah Park. Louis decides that Johnny, being  an uncharacteristcally tremendous athlete, should take part in the Wilderness Challenge while they are there - and they'll use the money to buy a stack of Marshalls that will blow the roof off the Hollywood Bowl. If they have the awesome gear, Louis surmises, they can get someone awesome to come jam with them. Like, say, Ted Nugent!

When the girls reach the park gates, they discover a long queue to get in. It seems that Weewankah Park has been partially sold to a pesticide manufacturer by the name of Rancewell who plans to build a factory on the land. A mysterious person in a bear suit dubbed Weewankah Willie by the locals has been sneaking out every night to try and sabotage the construction and save the park. Up at the park gates, Rancewell's brown nosed park ranger Smite is exerting his inflated authority by not allowing entry to the park to anyone who he feels break his ridiculous park rules.

Marsha notices Johnny & Louis a few cars back and comments to the other girls that heavy metal scum shouldn't be allowed into the park. once the girls finally get inside the park, Eve focuses her attention on the race, while Linnie & Marsha focus their attention on the *ahem* scenery.

Eve doesn't know a thing about orienteering, and is devastated to find out that all the classes are full. Trailor, who works in the general store, offers to get his older brother Truckie to help teach her. Truckie isn't interested in helping her because he is far too busy, but when Eve reveals that she knows that he is Weewankah Willie, Truckie has no choice but to help her so she will keep his secret. Truckie and his little brother own the land adjoining Rancewells recent purchase at Weewankah, and they don't want to see it destroyed. Rancewell controls the lease on the general store that they boys operate at the park, so it's important for Truckie to keep his secret identity a secret at all costs.

On the beach, Linnie has decided to take the girls advice and play the field a little so that she knows she's making the right decision with Eddie. Trailor has a huge crush on her, but despite his advances, she doesn't seem to notice at all. Marsha on the other hand spotted a gorgeous guy swimming in the lake - and doesn't realise that it's Johnny, minus all the makeup, leather and chains. When Johnny turns up to the party that night Marsha is horrified, and an angry Johnny leaves immediately.

Eve and Truckie grow closer as he continues to help her and as the race grows near the pair discover that Rancewell is dumping toxic waste in the park. They must figure out a way to show everyone the truth and save the land at all costs. Even if it means Eve has to lose the race. Marsha figures out that her judgmental ways may have cost her a chance at love, and Linnie learns that sex is meaningless without real love.

Sure, there's a few plot holes, and a whole lot of stuff I didn't mention (like Ted Nugent dropping in for no apparent reason) and even though I didn't really have high hopes for this movie I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actually really fun. It's re-watch able, and I can't believe it hasn't made it's way to DVD yet. If you liked One crazy Summer, throw it in a blender with Meatballs and Modern Girls, and you've got State Park. If Meatballs 4 can make it to DVD, I still have hope for this Canadian gem.

James Wilder (Truckie) was quite the young spunk back in the day and Peter Virgile (Johnny) was the best looking glam rock dude I've seen in a long time. Lots of eye candy on show for both sexes. Definitely worth a look. Or two.