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

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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:

Rogue Pictures

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:

Cliff: Remember, nothing exists until we get there!
Cydney: Got it. Rocky? Nothing exists until I get there.

Movie Connections:

References Bad Taste (1987)

Soundtrack:

Paradise

Good Thriller with Questionable Twists

Perfect Getaway, A (2009)

*** (out of 4)

The "old dark house" genre was made famous back in the silent days as we'd get a group of people in one house with the idea that one of them is a killer. That basic idea continues with this film, although instead of a house we're treated the beautiful locations of Hawaii. A newlywed couple (Steve Zahn, Milla Jovovich) are on their honeymoon in Hawaii and decide to go on an eleven mile hike. Half way through the hike they learn that another newlywed couple were butchered. The film then has our couple meeting two other couples (Timothy Olyphant/Kiele Sanchez, Marley Shelton, Chris Hemsworth) with the possibility that one of them are the murderers. This 97-minute movie is pure buildup for the final ten minutes when the twist is revealed. I certainly won't reveal the twist but I must say I was somewhat letdown by it but not enough to really enjoy the film. This is the type of movie that gives you a rather simple idea and then works every little inch out of it and in the end we're left with a pretty tense little thriller that is sadly being marketed as a horror movie, which might keep some people away. The film benefits from the great locations, terrific acting and some nice direction. All six leads do a terrific job and it was great seeing someone like Zahn get the leading role. He's basically played supporting roles most of his career but he has no problem carrying the film here. He and Jovovich have great chemistry together and work well with the other cast members. Olyphant clearly steals the film as the ex-soldier who is hiding a few secrets of his own. Another very positive thing about this film is that the majority of it takes place during the daylight so there's nothing jumping out of the shadows at night. I think it's brave to try and build suspense during the day but the director pulls it off perfectly. The 2.35:1 aspect ratio picks up the entire beauty of the island, which really becomes a character all by itself. The film is up for a lot of debate over the twists and turns it takes, which is good. Discussion never hurts a movie and I'm sure people will be discussing what happens here. I personally found it to be a cheat but a lot of thrillers do this. No matter how one feels about the twists there's really no denying that there's still a lot of fun and tension building up to the final moments.