Manic Expression

Today I will be looking at one of the more unique films in my horror/thriller collection: A Perfect Getaway

Released in August 2009, A Perfect Getaway stars Timothy Olyphant, Steve Zahn, Milla Jovovich, Kiele Sanchez, Marley Shelton, and Chris Hemsworth. It's about 3 couples vacation in beautiful Hawaii, when they discover that one couple among them consists of two killers. Tensions and suspicions flare as they go along a hiking trail, until things reach a twisted climax.

Now, the movie, during it's' run in theaters, was advertising as having a "Shocking twist ending." While the shocking claim's truth will vary from viewer to viewer, it's not a twist ending-it's a twist climax. Once the truth is revealed, there's still over 20 minutes left in the movie, and it's one of not too many movies I know of that (minor spoilers) have which character is the protaganist switch in the final act.

Also, despite what the marketing may have you thinking, this is not a slasher movie. In fact, except besides the murders mentioned to have happened prior to the main plot, no one else dies except for a group of random people towards the end who weren't named characters. This is a movie that's truly a mystery. We aren't seeing the cast get picked off one by one. We're sticking with them the whole time, but we're not sure of who to trust.

And, one of the reasons I think this is a really good movie is because of the actors. Olyphant does a great job as Nick, a charming guy who may or may not be badass, if you believe his stories of his past are legit. Zahn does a surprisingly good job as Cliff, an up-and-coming screenplay writer who just can't come up with an idea. Sanchez as Gina is very charming, as a person who hasn't really gone through any kind of heck. Jovovich as Cydney is probably my least favorite of the main 4, but she still does a good job. Marley and Chris have the smallest roles, but they do their best with what they have.

Also, being filmed in Hawaii, this film is friggen gorgeous. It's possibly the nicest looking thriller ever made in terms of environment. From the trails, to the beaches, to the lagoons, to the rock formations, this film will make you want to go there, even though this film is about crime.

My last big point will be the twist. I'll be fair, the twist is not the most shocking one put to film. Some of you will probably see it coming. Some of you will be caught off guard by it. But one thing I have to hand this movie, it doesn't cheat with it's twist. When the surprise is reveal, we're shown a couple of earlier scenes with added context, and yet, it doesn't seem like an ass pull by the writers. The reveal makes perfect sense, even if you guessed it.

So yeah, I just wanted to give a quick review of a film I feel was one of the more underrated ones of 2009 (and actually in my top 5 films of that year) Hope you liked it, share your thoughts below!