I have to admit liking A Perfect Getaway (2009) more than the film snob in me should. This thriller is painfully self conscious about ensuring we know a way too obvious twist (though possibly so obvious you may rule it out early on) is waiting to be sprung. The tagline “6 Strangers. 2 Killers. No Getting Away.” succinctly sums up the first two acts as we follow newlyweds Cliff (Steve Zahn) and Cydney (Milla Jovovich) honeymooning in Hawaii.
The pair encounter two other couples (thugish Cale and Cleo and charismatic Nick (Timothy Olyphant) and Gina (Kielie Sanchez)) only to find out that another set of honymooners were recently murdered nearby. And you guessed it… their newfound friends suspiciously match the description of the killers. Once the “big reveal” kicks in, writer-director David Twohy calls upon the chops he expertly displayed in his Riddick films (Pitch Black, Chronicles of Riddick) giving the final act a jarring tonal shift from slow burning thriller to full on Hollywood action.
There are complaints that the script spends too much time chatting and building up apprehension before taking off. Personally I found the often over the top dialog (Olyphant steals every scene he is in) and constant suspicions to be the heart of the flick. And yes, the narrative gimmick is predictable with all the clues of the twist not quite adding up, even on repeat viewing. Yet just because you know where a story is going doesn’t mean it can’t be a fun ride. Just be sure to suspend disbelief and enjoy the striking tropical locales.
High-Def Presentation
Maybe I’ve become spoiled by the lush jungle footage in ABC’s Lost, but I would think a film shot on location in Hawaii and Puerto Rico would deliver more true-to-life high-def visuals. While Getaway’s imagery bucks expectations with an overly digital feel, it does sport its share of jaw dropping tropical landscapes. Unfortunately the tweaked color palette, blooming whites and elevated contrast don’t make for optimal “naturalistic” viewing. Whether that is good or bad is a matter of opinion with Universal’s transfer probably representing what the director/cinematographer had in mind; I just found myself taking a bit to get in tune with the stylistic choices. Still its a technically solid, even if artistically contrived, visual experience on BD.
The audio is less controversial but far from overwhelming with a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track that is noticeably lacking in the surround department. Discerning dialog is never an issue but mostly ambient noises of nature populate the rears before the later action sequences bring a bit more balance across all six channels. Yet even at the flick’s action/thriller peak, you never get the immersive level of detail the best modern BDs deliver. This lossless audio mix is perfectly serviceable but nothing to brag about.
Beyond the Feature
While labeling Universal’s BD “bare bones” is a bit harsh, its not that far off the mark. Do we get a commentary? Nope. Any behind the scenes featurettes? Nada. The main supplement is the old standard of theatrical and “unrated” versions paired up on home video to justify our hard earned dollars. In this case, the unrated version delivers a bit more bang for your buck with ten minutes of extra footage interspersed throughout. Most noticeable is the extended flashback sequence in the third act that helps fill in back story. Anything else you ask? Why yes, there is the (and I’m faithfully quoting the back of the case) “SHOCKING ORIGINAL SCRIPTED ENDING!” (2:40, HD) The only thing shocking here is how unbelievably identical it is to the theatrical finale with the notable exception of changing spit emanating from a character kicked in the mouth to blood. Also touted is BD-Live portal access that offers nothing extra beyond some trailers, and D-BOX motion codes are included for those with available hardware.
I am not delusional that A Perfect Getaway is an excellent thriller, but its competent enough that the glaring flaws are outweighed by the engaging acting and great scenery. Plus the story has that slightly cheesy “B movie” quality that adds an inherent level of rewatchability. Universal delivers a BD with a high-def transfer that I can only imagine is true to the director’s intent, but for my tastes somewhat robs the tropical backdrops of their natural beauty. The lossless audio does its job but nothing more, and the extras are barely worth calling such. Getaway may not be on the top of your HD purchase list but makes for a recommended rental when you want to turn your mind off and enjoy some entertaining tension/action.
– Robert Searle
Shop for A Perfect Getaway on Blu-ray for a discounted price at Amazon.com.
