A Perfect Getaway (2009)

Director:

David Twohy

Writer (WGA):

David Twohy (written by)

Release Date:

7 August 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Let The Games Begin.

Plot:

Two pairs of lovers (Zahn & Jovovich, Olyphant & Sanchez) on a Hawaiian vacation discover that psychopaths are stalking and murdering tourists on the islands.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Tourist | Honeymoon | Newlyweds | Murder

Cast

Steve Zahn	...	Cliff
Timothy Olyphant	...	Nick
Milla Jovovich	...	Cydney
Kiele Sanchez	...	Gina
Marley Shelton	...	Cleo
Chris Hemsworth	...	Kale
Anthony Ruivivar	...	Chronic
Dale Dickey	...	Earth Momma
Peter Navy Tuiasosopo	...	Supply Guy
Wendy Braun	...	Debbie Mason
Jim Cruz	...	Helicopter Pilot
Angela Sun	...	Counter Girl
Leandra Gillis	...	TV Anchor
Amit Yogev	...	Waiter
Carlos Alberto Lopez	...	Camera Samaritan

MPAA:

Rated R for graphic violence, language including sexual references and some drug use.

Runtime:

98 min | 108 min (unrated director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45047) | Netherlands:16 | Ireland:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:18A (Alberta) | South Korea:15 | UK:15 | Australia:MA | Japan:R15+ | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Company:

Davis Entertainment

Trivia:

In addition to working together on this film, Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant have both worked on films that were adaptations of video games.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where Cliff is grabbing Gina, guided by Cydney, we see a shot where blood is flowing down Gina's left leg. On her turn to duck for cover, we see perfect bloodless legs.

Quotes:

Cydney: Well, um... how close is it?
Nick: It's like everything else in Hawaii, as close as far away gets.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Girls Next Door: Meet the New Girls (#6.1)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Paradise

A Predictable Yet Entertaining Thriller.

A couple on their honeymoon go to Hawaii and meet up with another couple along the way. They discover that there is another couple killing people on the island and they suspect each other, among others. Who is the real killer?

This film suffers from the same fate Hide and Seek had, the trailer gives away the ending. Maybe not bluntly, but if you know how these films work, you know how the film will end. Going into this film, I had a pretty good idea, from the trailer, how this one was going to end. I ended up being right, but I still enjoyed the film and what it had to offer. Knowing the ending makes it a bit more interesting because you can look at things from different angles, as opposed to someone who may have no clue at all. Despite the predictable ending this film has, it has more to offer.

The cast consists of funny man Steve Zahn, who has been stepping out of his usual comedic roles and taking on more things these days, and Milla Jovovich as the honeymoon couple. He is a screen writer, she is just happy to be on her honeymoon. We don't get much else from her, besides one scene in which she has a conversation about her past. Zahn does a good job playing the nerdy role. I said in another review he couldn't carry a film (Strange Wilderness) yet here is seems like the type of person who can. Only time will tell, I hope he takes on more than just comedic roles though.

Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez (Nikki from Lost) are the second couple. He is some kind of ex-marine type guy, who is a man's man, boar killing and all. She comes off as a free spirited chick, who is able to match her significant other. There is a third couple, who pop in and out of the film as the scary duo. They serve their purpose and leave, nothing more to really say about them.

The director, David Twohy tries his hand at something other than sci/f. His resume includes an underrated flick The Arrival and Vin Diesel vehicles Pitch Black & The Chronicles of Riddick. Glad to see him trying his hand at new stuff and it works. The film is entertaining and thrilling, two key things needed in this type of flick. It has it's by the numbers moments, every film like this does, but in sea of films like these, this one isn't bad.

I wish they film did play up the, which couple are the killers, a little more. It could have been a good mystery, but again, if you pay attention enough, you'll guess who's who early on. The film throws clues as to who the killers are left right and centre. Some people might not like how the film tries to fool it's audience and near the end it does shift it's focus, which seemed odd, yet needed. Can I recommend A Perfect Getaway? Sure, for the people who might be interested that is. If you know this type of film is not for you, keep on walking. If you're a little bit interested, give it a look.