Fantasy Island

Granted, I was lured in by the promise of the movie's poster, the fact that it was labeled as a horror movie, plus that Michael Peña and Maggie Q was on the cast list.

Little did I know what I was in for actually. Turns out that this movie was a mess of a storyline. The character gallery was for the most part a very flaccid and pointless one, to be bluntly honest. And that gave the actors and actresses very little to work with. And it didn't help that the storyline written by Jillian Jacobs, Christopher Roach and Jeff Wadlow seemed like they were individually told to write something on a concept without talking and sparring together. It was just a mess and a pain to sit through, literally.

Not even the performances of Michael Peña, Maggie Q or Michael Rooker could do much to lift up this train wreck of a movie.

I managed to sit through the movie in its entire length, but I must admit that my attention was failing the things that happened on the screen. The storyline was just way too clumsy and incoherent to catch my attention.

It should be said that some of the visuals in the movie were actually good, but that could only do so much to salvage the rest of the movie.

While I suffered through the entire movie, I can now check it off of my watched movie list and I know for a fact that I will never be returning to watch this 2020 movie again - ever.

My rating of "Fantasy Island" lands on a very generous three out of ten stars. And I put it on three solely because of Michael Peña and Maggie Q, truth be told.

A group of guests arrive at the Fantasy Island, a paradisiacal tropical resort hosted by the mysterious Mr. Roarke (Michael Peña) and his staff, with the promise that their secret fantasies or dreams come true in the island. He interviews each new arrival to make clear that their fantasies just end when concluded and to confirm each wish. Gwen Olsen (Maggie Q) regrets the day she said no to the proposal of her boyfriend. Melanie Cole (Lucy Hale) seeks revenge on her high-school mate Sloane Maddison (Portia Doubleday). Patrick Sullivan (Austin Stowell) dreams on being a soldier like his father. The gay Brax Weaver (Jimmy O. Yang) and his brother J. D. Weaver (Ryan Hansen) just want to party. But soon they realize that there is a price to pay to the island for the wishes come true.

"Fantasy Island" is a highly entertaining fantasy film with good twists. The Metascore and the IMDb User Rating are ridiculous, misguiding the viewers. The plot is a combination of "The Twilight Zone" with the franchise "House" (1985) and not a horror movie. Fortunately, I did not read the reviews in IMDb and I look forward waiting for a sequel. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil: "A Ilha da Fantasia" ("The Fantasy Island")

Why is it we keep having these tired and convoluted attempts to recreate great movies and series from yesteryear instead of creative and original attempts at something new; its very sad if this is the state of affairs and there are no writers left or directors who can make something great when there are so many possibilities in comics like 2000AD or Tornado or Starlord from the 80's if they cannot come up with original writers and forsake truly modern and creative directors like Neill Blomkamp directing shorts and commercials.

How was it possible in the 60,70,80's and even 90's we had original movies with good stories and direction from greats like Carpenter, Ridley and we end up with turgid efforts like this, it is very sad for the movie industry if this is what we are left with, very sad indeed.

The original was a classic and nobody could replace Ricardo Montalban or even Tattoo so why try?

Pointless remake with such a deeply contrived storyline that it beggars belief they thought audiences would fall for it. No just NO!

The imdb ratings here do not make this film justice. I believe that, like me, a lot of the viewers were intrigued by the promising beginning and severely disappointed by the really bad ending.

The story is about a group of strangers coming on a mysterious island where they are each promised to live their biggest fantasy. Here we get a sense of how confused were the makers of the movie: goofy comedy, akin to Scooby Doo, with dark and ominous hints, like a horror story, a distinct video game feel like the Jumanji reboots, but also the promise of emotional catharsis and a deeper lesson at the end. This could go in a variety of directions, some of them really good. Unfortunately the film continues to remain confused until the very beginning, where a completely artificial and nonsensical twist pretty much destroys every premise of the story.

Bottom line: the film was entertaining, the acting good, but the plot was a confused mess.

Oscar worthy? No. But, if you're in the mood for a nice, fun comedy, action, thriller... it is A-OK. Has a couple of twists. Keeps you wondering where its going. If the plot gets a little sketchy here and there, have some more popcorn and give it a bit!

I enjoyed it more than many higher rated, more pumped movies I've seen lately! Grab ya a bucket, a nice beverage and have a little fun with this one!