A Perfect Getaway (Theatrical - 2009)
Rogue Pictures / 2009
Directed by David Twohy
Written by David Twohy
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Steve Zahn, Timothy Olyphant, Kiele Sanchez, Marley Shelton, Chris Hemsworth
Review by Jude Felton
 

With a title like A Perfect Getaway you can rest assured that the getaway in question will not be perfect. I mean, this isn't a romantic comedy and if it was why in the Hell would I be reviewing it? Anyway, it's neither a comedy nor is the getaway perfect. Well, actually, it does start off quite pleasant. But that is not the point.

Newlyweds Cliff and Cydney (Zahn and Jovovich) travel to Hawaii for their honeymoon, hoping to relax on the beaches and hike a few trails. Basically they just want to get away from it all. Of course they do, they're newlyweds after all. They aren't the only couples there though. The first that they meet are a grungy looking couple that are hitching a ride. The second they meet once they hit the hiking trail. This couple, Nick and Gina (Olyphant and Sanchez), end up joining them as they make their way to the beach.

Whilst on their hike they learn of some murders that have happened on one of the other islands, and the police are looking for a man and a woman in connection with it. Damn, can you see where they are going with this? Is one of the couples responsible for these murders? Or is someone else involved?

You know I am not going to give that away, even though I had the movie worked out before it had even started. Nonetheless, A Perfect Getaway does build nicely, you'll almost forget you are watching a thriller to start with, and the ending is just about worth the wait. What does lift this movie up though is the combination of the absolutely gorgeous scenery and a wonderfully self-referential script. The script isn't as in your face as something like Scream but it is there, and its execution by the principle cast was nicely done. Olyphant hams it up wonderfully throughout and pretty much steals the show. That being said Zahn was his usual excellent self, and both were ably supported by Jovovich and Sanchez.

A Perfect Getaway isn't a particularly violent movie, although it does have its moments, instead it plays off the characters, their fears and paranoia in the situation in which they find themselves.

I enjoyed this movie. It didn't blow me away, but it made me chuckle in the right places (thanks mainly to Olyphant) and cranks on the tension when it is required. The scenery lends itself perfectly to the big screen but you know that it will still look gorgeous on an HDTV. I'm personally glad I caught it at the theater; however catching it on DVD wouldn't be such a bad thing. A Perfect Getaway isn't perfect but it was executed well and comes recommended from me.