A Perfect Getaway

Vacation is supposed to be a time to relax, kick back and just forget about the routine cares of life. That is unless you are a Hollywood film maker then this common place occurrence becomes fertile ground for a reasonably good thriller. That is if it’s handled correctly and in the case of ‘A Perfect Getaway’ it was. This is a film that provides an entertaining thrill ride with a solid foundation and better than usual execution and presentation. First of all it is a thriller that contains the requisite thrills and the proper use of suspense. Now this may seem simple that a movie designated as a thriller should contain thrills but this is an aspect of the genre’s definition that is regrettably overlooked far too often. Along this train of thought I realized as I watched this film that it has been quite awhile since I could honestly say a thriller provided the sensation it promised. This is a variation of the standard group isolated from any potential help while a serial killer is on the loose. There is sufficient nudity (partial) and gore to keep the interest of all but the most hard core horror fans happy but what helps this film along so well is its fundamental premise is conducive to sustaining a suspenseful ambience. While it shares several elements with the lamentable teen oriented slasher flicks it differentiates itself nicely with a solid development of a psychologically based thriller. This is far more effective that the cheap scare tactics that has degraded horror flicks and thrillers that depends only one copious quantity of stage blood and fake entrails. This film had a well defined story arc that is carefully nurtured along the way to create an atmosphere that will keep you on the edge of your seat. An attractive cast of talented performers set in an island paradise does make this movie rather easy on the eyes but what you will remember long after the end credits roll is the entertaining ride it took you on.

The film was written and directed by David Twohy who prior to his works in the ‘Riddick’ including ‘The Fugitive’ and the much lamented ‘Waterworld’. A major component of the film’s success is the choice to play the action off of three couples. This generates enough doubt and dramatic tension to maintain the heart of the story. The first couple presented here is Cliff (Steve Zahn) and his new bride Cydney (Milla Jovovich) are on their honeymoon on the paradise of Hawaii. While they they meet two other couples; hitchhikers Cleo (Marley Shelton) and Kale (Chris Hemsworth). Later on they meet up with militaristic Nick (Timothy Olyphant) and his girlfriend, Gina (Kiele Sanchez). Cliff is a movie screenwriter by trade and not at all prepared for the great outdoors, his idea of roughing it happens to include a couple of hundred pounds of expensive gear. In contrast Nick would be scary enough in the light of day but when he starts talking about ‘situational awareness’ and his willingness to climb over someone to get to safety it gets downright freaky. Adding an alternative for the audiences’ consideration Cleo and Kale seem like somebody out of a Jerry Springer episode. The beautiful but isolated setting is the caldron but what fuels the conflict is the report of a couple on the loose killing people and yanking out their teeth for a little serial killer keepsake. The honeymooners are suddenly caught in the middle desperately trying to determine which couple are the murderers. There are few clues to go by other than gut feelings and a photograph that is grainier than a snap shoot of big foot. The tension is developed between the meek writer and the self proclaimed ‘American Jedi’ with a huge knife strapped to his calf and a metal plate in his head.

This may be prone to some degree of predictability but in getting to the conclusion you get a might good ride.

Twohy is manipulating the audience with this movie but the thing is you wind up not caring about that. The characters are well drawn and professionally portrayed sweeping you up in the dilemma at hand. The three couple plot device adds just the right layering to offer up some doubt as to whom the killer really is, at least long enough to get into the film and have some fun with it. There is a tension inherent in the plot that leaps off the screen. For once Steve Zahn is not playing the stoner, loser or worse yet the stoned loser. He is demonstrating that he can work effectively beyond the restrictive scope of those kinds of comedies. Here he is believable as the slightly nerdy screen writer who married totally out of his league with Cydney as his wife. Jovovich is very well versed with this kind of role and brings her ‘A-game to the plate. She is perfect for the sexy young woman with a brain required to pull off this character. One of the best performances here is from Olyphant. He has taken over as one of the best actors out there when you need the combination of sinister and lethal. There is just something about the way he carries himself that can switch rapidly between feeling safe and wanting to run for your life. When he plays a stone cold killer as he did in ‘Hitman’ you believe it completely. Then if you watch him play the hero as he did for three seasons on ‘Deadwood’ he comes across as an honorable ma=n that could kill you before downing a shot of whiskey. Here he is mesmerizing as the dark and mysterious Nick playing off Zahn as the perfect foil. The Blu-ray version of this film is breath taking. The island setting is great to showcase the full color range of high def. the audio does a lot more than provide a natural ambience, it becomes an integral part of telling the story.

Posted 07/01/2010