Mystery Island

Hmm did I like this... I'm not sure.

Negatives: It felt a bargain basement Knives Out II. And as with most Hallmark fodder the story wasn't fleshed out enough as such I didn't care enough about any of the suspects to want to know who the murderer was; could have done with being a bit longer if it meant better characterisation.

Positives: I really like the female lead. She brought an innocence to her role that made her endearing. So often Hallmark female sleuths are written as know it all/nosey characters.

I like seeing Kezia Burrows. I remember her from Apple Tree Yard and Dr. Foster. She brought the zany which you need when you have a mystery to solve. And major plus for me was the decor I love the doors in the mansion - the lattice work was divine.

Consulting Psychologist for Scotland Yard, Dr. Emilia takes a much needed vacation with her friend, Baroness Jane Alcott, at an exclusive resort known as mystery island. Emilia is there to not only participate in this week's mystery (the murder mystery premise of Mystery Island), but to contemplate about her job with Scotland Yard.

Their week is interrupted when the show runner and head of the island ends up dead. Now with a real murder mystery to solve, the two girls meet detective Jason Trent. Emilia gets to show off her observation and profiling skills as she helps Jason get to the bottom of this very real mystery.

I think some of the acting was a bit rough in this film...especially at the beginning when there was some "campiness" to the delivery of lines. I did like the end which sets up a new consulting partnership to build future mysteries. I am not sure how that would work in terms of a series...also, if people do keep dying on the island...why would anyone go there?

The two leads were attractive, but there was little to no romance between the two. Also, if this series is going to continue the tropical background is decent as is the resort itself...but the wardrobe/costuming could use a little help.

I thought the movie was cute, kind of a throw back to simpler times of "who done it" type movies. It was nice to be able to watch a movie with the family without the gore of typical murder mysteries. Hallmark movies in general are kind of hokey so in my opinion this fits with their style. It reminded me of the game CLUE, a little bit silly but again something you could watch as a family and enjoy.

I like that the filming company used both local talent and hired from England. The scenery was amazing and it was great to see Panama on the big screen as my mother was born and raised there. BBC I saw at the beginning the Cuna I Diana sitting at the port selling their wares.

Oh where to start! I iknow it's a Hallmark movie and therefore the story would be pretty simple and everything, but this was a total disaster.

The amateur sleuthing by the doctor and her dolaly sidekick Jjaniie was beyong ridiculous.

The chemistry/attraction bewteen the detective and the doctor was extremely cringe.

Overall it was so bad that I would not recommend it to anyone, even if they are bored stiff and need to do something with their time. Trust me there are lots of things you can do when you are bored, but watching this is definitely not one of them.

The acting was bordering on pretty bad too!

It isn't that hard to write a decent mystery. So, why did they give us this mess? Picking up evidence without gloves...Running around a jungle in high heels... "Stealthily" following a suspect wearing bright colors...sneaking around the open floor plan mansion in an over the top way.

The acting was over the top, the clothes were ugly and what little affinity you felt for some of the characters was wasted with the poor script.

While the idea had much promise...we can only hope there isn't a sequel. Or, maybe they scrap this mess and start over fresh with new writers, actors, set...new everything!