 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
A Perfect Getaway
- Review Date: August 6, 2009
- R
- Genre: Thriller
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Paradise-set thriller is stylish, slick, and very violent.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this tense "trouble in paradise" thriller has lots of bloody violence, from fistfights and beatings to shootings, stabbings, and even mutilation of a murder victim (shown on screen). There's also some drinking and drug use, a good bit of strong language (including "f--k"), and scenes with naked male and female buttocks (plus some implied toplessness). Parents also need to know that this review is for the theatrical rated version of the film.
What's the story?
Cliff (Steve Zahn) and Cydney (Milla Jovovich) are enjoying their honeymoon on Kauai, getting ready to hike a gorgeous 11-mile trail. Their only concern? News that couple has been found dead in Honolulu, seemingly murdered by a pair of male-female killers who may have come from Oahu to Kauai ... just like Cliff and Cydney did. As the happy honeymooners run into seemingly friendly Nick (Timothy Olyphant) and Gina (Kiele Sanchez) and the more ominous Kale (Chris Hemsworth) and Cleo (Marley Shelton), it becomes clear that any friendly face out in the beautiful middle of nowhere could be the mask of a killer.
Is it any good?
Directed by David Twohy (the man behind cult success Pitch Black), A PERFECT GETAWAY is stylish, slick, and utterly hollow. As a whole, the film doesn't hold up to more than a moment of scrutiny -- but, at the same time, as it's unfolding, you'll probably be too distracted by the gore and tension to care. The film's twist may or may not be a cheat (you'd probably have to go back for a second viewing to determine whether that's the case, and that seems like a fairly cheerless prospect). But while it's playing -- well-shot, well-cut, well-acted -- A Perfect Getaway is a fleeting pleasure for mature audiences who like being scared.
Part of that is the beauty of the Hawaiian setting (although parts of the film were shot in Puerto Rico) -- but another big part is Twohy's clean, simple direction and the caliber of the performers he landed for a fairly modest-seeming thriller. Zahn and Jovovich make their happy newlyweds more interesting than you'd think, and Olyphant and Sanchez keep you on your toes when you have to ask whether they are or aren't the killers. A Perfect Getaway is, ironically, far from perfect -- but it's a nice enough little vacation for your mind.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's violence. Does it have more or less impact than what you've seen in other movies? Why? Does violence have to be bloody to be disturbing?
What do you think of movies that make a big deal out of having a "twist" ending? What separates a great twist from a cheap gimmick?
What dangers are involved in travel? How can travellers protect themselves?
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AGE
for adults not children
you would not like this movie if you are a child or preteen. it would be too difficult to understand seeing as they never come out and say anything. the twists and turns are visual and mostly inferred, and if you arent paying attention, you will be lost. this is an adult movie and should be veiwed as such. the sction scenes are excellent and the ending is unexpected. i like movies that only show you what the main characters know, andthis movie did a great job of hiding information that would make the movie uninteresting. if you like movies with crazy unexpected endings and can handle a little cursing and blood, you will love this movie!
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AGE
All In Good Fun...
The movie is sleek, and is great fun all around. It never fails to be entertaining, and has some pretty good actors to boot. The violence toward the end may turn some people away, but it's all in good fun. In the end, it's not a perfect getaway, but a perfect summer flick.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 21, 2009
AGE
COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Kid, 9 years old
February 6, 2011
AGE
horibel
good but bloody and inapropreat i hate it!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
Fun Movie
This movie is better than many would think. The sex is VERY limited, and the violence, graphic as it is, does not pop up until the end. I wish it were longer, but the twist wraps things up nicely.
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AGE
Boring
This is an example of when all the good parts of the movie are in the trailer to trick the audince into going to see it. The movie was very boring and not intense untill about the last 20 minutes or so where it just got predictable and plain stupid. Im glad i rented this because i would've been mad if i had wasted my money on this in theaters.
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AGE
I'd say teens 14 and up
It was okay for a teen. There is brief partial nudity, a sexual reference. Violence isn't that bad until near the end a few gunshots and stabbings. Language is VERY iffy a few words here and there but once it starts it doesn't stop 'til about a minute.
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | David Twohy |
| Cast: | Milla Jovovich, Steve Zahn, Timothy Olyphant |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 97 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 7, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | December 29, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | graphic violence, language including sexual references and some drug use |
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