POSITIVES…
Motley cast of characters. Adventure. Hawaii. Culture. Treasure hunting. Enjoyable stuff!
That geocaching competition cold open was an exciting way to kick off the movie.
Combo of Kea Peahu as Pili, Alex Aiono as Ioane, Lindsay Watson as Hana, and Owen Vaccaro as Casper, make an entertaining group that forms our adventurers. Their chemistry together is excellent.
Kelly Hu as Leilani and Branscombe Richmond as Papa Kimo are great too, with a particular hospital scene being particularly effective.
Loved all the sequences inside the caves.
Visually, it's colorful and beautiful. It's Hawaii!
This movie absolutely has a fun sense of humor, as demonstrated by the introduction scene of Hana, to those flashbacks of Monks the sailor.
Speaking of Hana, I'm never gonna tire of her busting Ioane's balls.
Pop culture references were fun.
There are some nice lines spoken here. "Breathtaking." "You can't sneak up on a New Yorker." "Don't tell me not to cry, when I'm trying not to, it doesn't help." "That girl needs more fiber in her diet." "Who comes all the way to Hawaii just to see where they filmed LOST."
Aloha. Mahalo. Ohana.
NEGATIVES…
Premise feels a little familiar, there are scenes that are derivative, plot cliches, but don't let all that bother you too much.
There are some bits of convenience in the story that seemed unnecessary.
They did that tired bit where the parent doesn't let the teenager explain herself. Never really a fan of that trope.
lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible
