Paradise

If there ever was a movie that you want to give a 10 to but cannot, this is the one.

In the description, it stated anachronistic underbelly. That it was. When I first heard island odd the mainland, before I saw the license plates, I figured this was some outdated island somewhere off the U. S. Gulf Coast in the dirty south. That would have given this movie a ten. All the way around, this movie felt like a middle point for drug running cartels between Central America and mainland U. S. A. But, when I found out it was one of the islands of Hawai'i, I watched it less seriously. I've been in and seen the underbelly of the drug trade of Southern California and the Island of Oahu. No matter how anachronistic this movie did get, it was too much off to take it as a serious contender.

From the very start to the very end, this movie was a 10 star movie. It was well played out in the western genre it was stated to be in. There were interesting characters. There was an interesting plot. There was even a open door at the end left wide open for a nice little sequel.

There was a slight issue I had with the anachronistic props, because they were glaringly used wrong throughout the movie.

The main and eye blinding problem I had was that the location was just too far off. You could have changed the setting to prehistoric anywhere in Russia and had a better feeling anachronistic setting than any Island of Hawai'i. That was just too unbelievable.

I loved this movie. Having seen it multiple times now I manage to notice something new every time I see it and it just makes me like it even more. There are some great big scenes in this movie that are so much fun to watch. But there are also quite a few little moments that make us realize just how well thought out these characters are.

I'm a big fan of old westerns, and this movie ticks all the boxes of what I like about a western. The setting is remote and beautiful and dangerous. The characters feel lived-in and relatable, but also totally unique and fascinating. Patricia Allison is spot-on as the lead, Ella. She manages to exude the confidence of a tough gunslinger hero type with the pain and vulnerability of a young person struggling with loss and anger and confusion.

It's rare that a movie will make you gasp in total shock in one moment, and have you full on belly laughing at others. Director Max Isaacson had done a phenomenal job bring us a familiar and beloved genre with fresh eyes and a totally unique take. From the music, to the costumes to the wonderful casting, this is a movie that is more than worthy of your time.

Max Isaacson's Paradise is a neo-western revenge flick that should be admired. I found myself hanging on every word as this story unraveled, drawing myself closer to each character's story, struggles, and personalities. I find it a rarity for a film like this to be so effective in its prose, and so captivating in its execution. The world that is crafted by Isaacson is one built on brutality, vigilantism, corruption, and dark humor, with an environmental style shaped by neon, semi-tropical glow.

Action-packed graphic novels are what immediately come to mind as I watch this. The stylized surroundings of our characters add a personality of its own. With engaging performances by the cast, especially lead Patricia Allison, this is a story about betrayal, bitterness, distrust, and violence. I felt that the foundation for Allison's character was strong, and takes a spin on the vigilante character in a unique and interesting way. Albeit short, the duration of this film is well spent, and wasting no time in building a structurally fortified story.

I almost wish that the character of Lee Paige (played by Tia Carrere) was underutilized. From my perspective, there was much more potential for her character to play a larger role in the film, instead of being merely a malevolent ghost on the wind. Don't ask me how - that's merely my instinct. Her design and personality are interesting right from the get-go, and I was almost disappointed that her presence in the film was so little.

I struggle to find anything that I dislike about how this film was crafted: it's a very strong body of fiction. For those who enjoy flashy, violent revenge movies, this is your ticket to Paradise.

This is a contemporary southern gothic neo-noir western tale of country gangsterism and revenge.

That all sounds good and it's okay.

But it could've been so much better.

The good news is, it's only an hour and a half long.

The bad news is, it feels longer than that.

Also good news? Tia Carrere is in this and she looks absolutely incredible!

Mee-Oww!!

But this movie starts off confusing.

A young, waifish creature being ejected from a tavern for a dust up and she's strapped with an old school sidearm.

What?

But everything else looks up to date.

And then, not only is she built like mid-90's Fiona Apple, she too looks about maybe 16 or 17.

And she lives at home with her dad, the sheriff.

What's going on here?

Well, it doesn't take long for the underworld to tear its ugly head and take something (even more) from our twiggy protagonist, as it has been told she lost her mother and brother to local crime years prior.

Now it's time for some get back.

And as much as this kingpin is discussed throughout, you just know when this person is finally revealed, it'll be a hoot. One way or the other.

It's gong to be either somebody you recognize or somebody outrageous. Or both.

You won't be disappointed.

I'll say this.

There are far better tales told of vengeance, even as of late.

Vengeance (2022) being one of them.

It's excellent.

Check it out sometime.

And lastly, I have such a hard time buying into a chick that weighs maybe a buck ten getting the upper hand on a grown man in a physical confrontation.

Especially when he's fighting for his own very life.

But overall, this is a decent flick. I actually grew to like and appreciate the actress in the lead and I would like to see her in different roles.

But Tia Carerre.

She makes an hour and a half seem like no time at all. Even now.

And even with an eyepatch.

It is easy to write off a movie like this because it is on Tubi, but for every 50 trash movies on there, there is something like this, which easily and unfortunately flies under the radar because of the service it's on and because it doesn't feature a "star." This movie was beautifully shot, with a charming lead in Patricia Allison, features some great supporting characters who brought it, instead of slumming their way through, and at least one really nice action scene. As far as negatives go, I think the journey to revenge/justice should have been harder for the main character (the henchman were extremely incompetent and not much more than fodder, given what they were supposed to be) but I can forgive that assuming there were the typical indie production constraints. Still, the indies and streaming services is where the good stuff is nowadays. The theaters are full of tired megafranchises afraid to take chances and the TV networks have some strong sitcoms but no strong dramas anymore (save for, like, Matlock). Give this a chance. Despite how violent it is, it's a pretty breezy watch.