Club Paradis

I don't know why this couldn't have just been Robin Williams running or fixing up a hotel. That's a great, simple premise. Alternatively, this also could've been Rick Moranis and Eugene Levy as two clueless buffoons trying to get laid at a beach resort.

Instead of either of those ideas, the movie decides to go with the most overly-complicated script I think I've ever seen for a comedy. There are so many characters and so many of them get their own scenes that go on for quite awhile. As a result, Robin Williams isn't even in the movie for significant stretches.

The filmmakers seemed to think this would be more of an ensemble with a lot of strong comedic actors and that was a mistake. Some of the others are okay, but not enough to sideline Williams for half the movie. They had a great lead actor and a script that could've written itself but decided to overcomplicate things.

The last 20 minutes of the movie take a crazy left turn into a civil war taking place on this Caribbean island. It's so bizarre and a little tasteless too with how comedic it's portrayed. It was the 80s I suppose. The ending took this down from a 5/10 though. It really hurts the movie, which could've just ended with comedic hijinx with Robin fooling the rich guys into not buying the property.

This review is becoming as convoluted as the script it talks about, so in the end I'll just say they whiffed and could've easily had a fun comedy with Robin Williams in a fun setting. They literally made their jobs harder and made a worse movie because of it.

Ramis has exceptional talent. The eclectic selection of humorous scenes is well woven.

O'Toole lends a great deal of sophistication to the film. His thought provoking words on government and island life stirred my imagination.

Williams seems to have been at his comical best early in his career.

Moranis proves himself to be a true oddball.

Certainly, this is a picture you should not miss seeing.

Despite the presence of possibly the (collectively) funniest cast in the history of film, "Club Paradise" is only sporadically amusing. The weakness lies in the story (or lack thereof). The most effective moments are set pieces which have little to do with the main story, but are hilarious little character moments. Robin Williams heads a cast which includes Peter O'Toole and Jimmy Cliff. Second City and SCTV vet Harold Ramis directs a script by he and fellow Second City & SNL alum Brian Doyle-Murray (who also plays one of the villains of the piece), and fills it with a ton of other Second City vets including Joe Flaherty, Steven Kampmann, Robin Duke, Mary Gross, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, and Rick Moranis. Great reggae soundtrack, though!

I had to add a comment to this page because I couldn't believe that it only had a 4. something rating. I believe it deserves something much higher. I first saw this film about 15 years ago now, and ever since it has become one of my all time favorites. The comedy to the acting to the soundtrack all truly represent the best of 80's comedy film making. Either you love 80's films or you hate them. My husband hates them, which makes me wonder sometimes how I could've married a man that stands against everything I love about movies. The two Barry's are the best. "Barry - Barry... I scored"! I think I have watched this move about 50 times in my life and that is no exaggeration. I will watch it anytime its on. Jimmy Cliff delivers a soundtrack like no other. Every song could'va made one of his albums without anyone knowing it was Scored for a film. In fact I wish I could find where to buy the soundtrack as I have looked for years and have never been able to find it. Brian Doyle Murray is also hilarious in this film. Maybe it has to do with my childhood and experimenting with Reggae, and Drugs that made me fall in love with this film, but as I said it will always be one of my favorites and I hope everyone that loves 80's films gets to see this at least once.

Many comedies require their own set of rating considerations. Club Paradise is one of those. This slips into the "guilty of mindless fun" category. The movie does not stand on a strong story. The charm is in its Carribbean setting, the mostly reggae soundtrack, Jimmy Cliff's character and Robin Williams' character--while we're at it throw Peter O'toole in their too. Charm, charm, charm. The writing is borderline offensive, that is, if you watch the film with a highly critical mind. One might complain that dangerously negative stereotypes abound in this film. Maybe they do. My suggestion is to enjoy the popcorn and let the laughter roll. You can feel guilty later. Fun stuff.