A PERFECT GETAWAY — ★★ — Steve Zahn, Milla Jovovich, Timothy Olyphant; rated R (violence, gore, profanity, drugs, brief nudity, vulgarity, brief sex); in general release
Only the most inattentive moviegoer in the world wouldn't be able to either figure out or at least predict the supposed "shocking" plot twist in "A Perfect Getaway."
The revelation of that bit — the identity of the killers — comes about an hour into the movie and it's as obvious as it is silly.
Luckily, the film has at least a little more going for it. While the suspense-thriller may not be a good movie, it's sort of entertaining and funny. However, it's not clear if that's really a deliberate move on the part of the filmmakers or because of some bad storytelling decisions and goofy performances.
Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich star as Cliff and Cydney, newlyweds who are on a Hawaiian honeymoon.
They've fled the bigger islands to a smaller one. Cliff and Cydney hope to get to a more remote beach, though the couple has received some disturbing news: Another newlywed couple has been killed nearby, in a gruesome fashion.
The suspects got away and their descriptions are vague: a man and woman. And there more than a few people on the island who fit the bill. There's Nick and Gina (Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez), the seemingly helpful couple that has accompanied them on their island hike.
There's also a seemingly sinister pair, Kale and Cleo (Chris Hemsworth and Marley Shelton). They appear to be following Cliff and Cydney around the island.
Screenwriter/director David Twohy throws in some running commentary about his feelings toward the movie industry — as witnessed by running subplot about cinematic aspirations of both Zahn and Olyphant's characters.
As for 40-something character actor Zahn, he may be a little old to be playing a younger newlywed, but he's likable enough. We're not sure we buy him and Jovovich as a couple, though.
And Olyphant steals the film as Nick, who's as unnerving as he is charming.
"A Perfect Getaway" is rated R and features strong violent action and imagery (shootings and gunplay, stabbings, brawling and violence against women), some graphic, gory moments and imagery, strong sexual language (profanity and vulgar sex talk), drug use and references (marijuana and meth), brief female and partial male nudity, some crude slang, and some brief sexual contact. Running time: 98 minutes.
e-mail: jeff@desnews.com