Rapa Nui *** (1994, Jason Scott Lee, Sandrine Holt, Esai Morales) – Classic Movie Review 3000

Co-writer/director Kevin Reynolds’s 1994 adventure movie is a gorgeous looking but completely daft Easter Island saga, set in the 17th century Pacific.

When two tribes go to war on Easter Island, Chile, a handsome young Long Ear warrior called Noro (Jason Scott Lee) and a lovely Short Ear girl named Ramana(Sandrine Holt) fall in love in this odd, ecologically-minded Romeo and Juliet-style yarn. Esai Morales also stars as Make.

If the story is pretty silly, the movie is lovingly made and the scenery looks stunning. A feast for the eye but it’s impossible to take seriously with this silly dialogue, clumsy acting and odd, unpersuasive storyline. Rapa Nui is the name of the land that explorers later renamed Easter Island.

Rated R for some tribal violence and sexuality.

Tim Rose Price co-writes with Reynolds from his original story. Kevin Costner produces (with Jim Wilson) for his Tig company. The cinematography is by Stephen F Windon, the score by Stewart Copeland and the production is designed by George Liddle.

Reynolds is the director of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Waterworld, One Eight Seven, The Count of Monte Cristo and Tristan + Isolde.

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© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 3000

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