CUTTHROAT ISLAND
A film review by Nemanja Dundjerovic
Copyright 1995 Nemanja Dundjerovic
CUTTHROAT ISLAND is most likely the last movie producer Mario Kassar of Carolco will do in a while, but it seems that Mr.Kassar decided to go out in a blaze of glory. CUTTHROAT ISLAND, starring Geena Davis, Matthew Modine, Maury Chaykin and Frank Langella, directed by Finnish Adonis-Director Renny Harlin is definitely a feast for the eyes. The plot (there was actually something resembling a plot!!!) revolves around a buried treasure on Cutthroat Island. Pirate Morgan Adams (Davis) and her evil uncle Dawg (Langella)are simultaneously chasing after it. Davis recruits Modine to read a map in Latin and some silly romance is squeezed out of this. The film's climax occurs when, after 90 minutes worth of restless adventure, Morgan's ship and Dawg's ship clash in the middle of the ocean. Needless to say, Morgan wins.
Renny Harlin seems talented enough to realize that the script had no potential except lavish chase, battle and fight scenes in 17-century Jamaica. So, he devotes most of the movie's $75 million budget to some exceptionally engaging scenes. The ultimate good vs. evil clash at the end of the movie lasts a good 25 minutes, and it is exceptionally spectacular. The movie is a roller-coaster from start to finish, and Davis keeps coming across being too quick-witted for this lame part (she does get to beat up a lot of guys AND blow Langella out of the sky with a cannon at point-blank range). The music in CUTTHROAT ISLAND is spectacular (I'm running out of adjectives here) and it is used effectively by Harlin to make most of the spectators deaf. Overall, CUTTHROAT ISLAND was full of quick pleasures, but the glossy coating is very thin. A question: Why were there only two other people other than my friend and me in the theater? Did they not advertise the movie?
-- Nemanja Dundjerovic cy018@FreeNet.Carleton.Ca
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