Demon Island (2002)

Directors:

David Hillenbrand
Scott Hillenbrand

Writers:

David Hillenbrand (writer)
Scott Hillenbrand (writer)

Release Date:

14 June 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

A Weekend To Dismember.

Plot:

Teens trapped on an island are haunted by a demon hidden inside...a pinata. |

Plot Keywords:

Island | Demon | Blood | Midget | Slasher

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Dec. 5

3:00 AM

AMC

Cast

Nicholas Brendon	...	Kyle
Jaime Pressly	...	Tina
Eugene Byrd	...	Doug
Casey Fallo	...	Monica (as Kasey Fallo)
Nate Richert	...	Jake
Garrett Wang	...	Paul
Lara Wickes	...	Lisa (as Lara Boyd Rhodes)
Ed Gale	...	Piñata
Julia Mendoza	...	Carmen
Aeryk Egan	...	Larry
Daphne Duplaix	...	Julie
Robert Tena	...	Bob
Tressa DiFiglia	...	Connie (as Tressa di Figlia)
Syante Villa	...	Shaman
Manny Twofeathers	...	Piñata Maker

Also Known As:

Piñata (USA) (working title)
Piñata: Survival Island (USA) (video title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence/gore, language, some sexual content and drug use.

Runtime:

USA:85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:18 | Australia:M (DVD rating) | Australia:MA (cable rating) | Singapore:M18 | USA:R

Trivia:

Director Cameo: [David Hillenbrand]one of the two detectives at the end.

Goofs:

Continuity: As the girl is dragged on her stomach into the tent (feet first) by the creature, it grabs her by her neck/shoulder area and her head is up in this side view. Cut to a close up front view of her face and her head is down on the ground.

Quotes:

Lisa: Monica, I need to pee.
Monica: Just hold it in.
Lisa: I have been waiting for over an hour.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Pinata: Making of the Monster (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

One Last Fiesta

It took me exactly 15 minutes to decide...but I was curious!

I think the introduction was the best part of the movie. Yes, that part where you have to be spoon fed an explanation about you are seeing (because the director thinks it's a novel idea!) Plainly, no one actually needs this explanation. I think it makes good decoration.

One thing surprised me. The visuals of the "natives" and their relationship to the piñata were interesting to watch, "most" of the time. The quality of the whole thing had that professionally rehearsed quality that you beg for in a cartoon.

If it weren't for that introduction, I may have not stayed over the 15 minute mark to see what this movie was all about.

The transition from the actually better-than-it-deserved intro-music to the MINDLESS GRUNGE sound of those inane rock guitars was my first indication that I was about to turn this movie off in a few minutes.

Then, the water gun games between the rafts. Wow, that was so compelling. The minutes were ticking. My palms were getting wet and sticky. But I forged on!

Then came the earth-shattering character development scene about a Port-O-Potty! I was breathless with anticipation. What could they think of next?

Then, believe it or not! That grungy music again! Oh, I was captivated!

After this, I had to make a life-changing decision. Would I stay or go?

OK...I stayed. Then, more character development about young people smoking pot. Folks, this was deep! You gotta believe me, here!

Then, of course comes the discovery of the awe-inspiring Piñata from hell! What does our hero do? He hits it with a stick, of course! What else would any self-respecting dude-about-town do in a situation like this?

And then.......

YOU GUESSED IT! YES!

IT came to LIFE!

And then why NOT spoil it? The rest of the plot resembles the Friday the 13th genre, of course. Pick them off, one by one...oh the TENSION, the DRAMA...the utter "grippingness" of it all!

The unanswered questions, the doubts, the comic relief...oh, the sheer artistry...

The UTTER, UTTER, uselessness of it all!

(CLICK)