Anna Daniels
Fantasy Island is at its best in its middle section, after the premise has been established and the guests are off on their respective fantasies. Director Jeff Wadlow and cinematographer Toby Oliver shoot the four separate stories like they’re all different movies, adjusting the film’s style to fit the genre.
For example, Melanie and Sloane are stuck in a Saw-inspired slasher flick. Patrick is in a war film. Gwen is in a romantic drama, and JD and Brax find themselves in a sex comedy that quickly becomes a home-invasion thriller. It’s a playful and clever way to use Fantasy Island‘s original premise, and it makes for an energetic, compelling movie.
None of the individual plotlines are particularly unique, of course, but that doesn’t really matter. Fantasy Island constantly cuts between the four, so you never get bored with one. It gets even better when the stories begin to cross over with one another. At that point, it feels like Fantasy Island is building to some big, grand conclusion in which all the pieces will come together to create something more than the sum of its parts.
In a certain respect, the movie delivers on that promise. Naturally, none of the characters’ fantasies go according to plan. It’s for the best. Patrick comes to peace with his father’s death. Melanie and Sloane forgive each other and strike up an uneasy friendship. JD realizes that it’s time to settle down and focus on starting a family. Gwen realizes why she feels like she’s unworthy of love.
The characters don’t get the fantasies they want, but they get the experiences that they need. Then they come back together, each having grown as a person. It’s an emotionally satisfying conclusion to the characters’ arcs, and it’s right in line with the original television show. Unfortunately, at this point, the movie is only half over.
Written by: Looper
