Saturday, September 10, 2011

The Island (1980), Michael Ritchie.

Worst Caribbean holiday EVER!

Journalist Michael Caine tries to bond with his miserable, spoiled son while investigating a story unfolding in the Caribbean:  why are tourist boats just disappearing?  Could it be pirates?  Note to filmmakers:  if you don't introduce any jollity, pirate movies are hell on earth.  Just like your worst memories of summer camp: uncomfortable in every way, from the not-refreshing sleep you wake from to the ever-present threat of possible child abuse and/or starvation.  That's right, I hate camping, tents, the whole kit and kaboodle even if it's in the Caribbean.  Michael Caine gets chained up and married to one hell of a homely woman, while his son is brainwashed by a primitive tribe of inbred Caucasian castaways.  Luckily there's a pretty fantastic ending worth waiting for.  The father-son hug at the end is truly a testament to the unfailing love parents have for their children.  I would have spanked the little bastard black and blue! 

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