Back in 1992, a horrible comedy with Kurt Russell called Captain Ron was released. The premise of the movie was about a vacationing family in the Bahamas who is assisted by an annoying guide named Ron (Kurt Russell). He drives the family into trouble and sometimes puts their lives in danger. A Perfect Getaway would be the thriller version of this movie, except the Captain Ron character or characters might be evil themselves. The premise of the film and locations most remind me of the recent horror films Turistas and The Ruins. One awful, the other okay, perhaps the third time’s a charm.
"Is someone getting stabbed to death, there?" "Nah, I think it's just an island surgical procedure."
Butt-touching extraordinaire Steve Zahn (Management) stars as Cliff, a traveler enjoying a remote island vacation spot with his girlfriend, Cydney (Milla Jovovich, Resident Evil). While driving to their destination, they decide to pick up a hitchhiking couple, Kale (Chris Hemsworth, Star Trek) and his girlfriend (Marley Shelton, W.). While hiking, they run into another couple named Nick (Timothy Olyphant, Hitman) and Gina (Kiele Sanchez, “Lost”). Cliff and Cydney feel uneasy because they don’t know the other couples very well and seem reluctant to give information about themselves. Things get really alarming when they are approached by law enforcement officers saying that they found two dead bodies on the beach and they’re looking for a man and woman as alleged suspects. Worried, Cliff and Cydney are apprehensive about their new “friends” and must figure out which one of the couples could be the killers, if they even survive to find out.
David Twohy, responsible for the Pitch Black franchise, directs from his own script.
"Just wait until tonight. Slicing women, I'm a certified carpet cutter."
At first guess, I would say Timothy Olyphant could be the potential villain since he looks menacing and has often played antagonists in the past. However, I would hope the film is smart enough to stay away from such obviousness. I might see this in hopes that the film capitalizes upon the two other films in which it shares a similar tone. Six years ago, I never would have taken this movie seriously since Steve Zahn is the lead, but after seeing his outstanding performances in Shattered Glass and Rescue Dawn, I figure he can carry this. A Perfect Getaway does look entertaining and it would have to be better than if Zahn and Jovovich had Captain Ron as their island guide.
A Perfect Getaway opens August 14th.
