User Reviews

Max Isaacson's Paradise is a neo-western revenge flick that should be admired. I found myself hanging on every word as this story unraveled, drawing myself closer to each character's story, struggles, and personalities. I find it a rarity for a film like this to be so effective in its prose, and so captivating in its execution. The world that is crafted by Isaacson is one built on brutality, vigilantism, corruption, and dark humor, with an environmental style shaped by neon, semi-tropical glow.

Action-packed graphic novels are what immediately come to mind as I watch this. The stylized surroundings of our characters add a personality of its own. With engaging performances by the cast, especially lead Patricia Allison, this is a story about betrayal, bitterness, distrust, and violence. I felt that the foundation for Allison's character was strong, and takes a spin on the vigilante character in a unique and interesting way. Albeit short, the duration of this film is well spent, and wasting no time in building a structurally fortified story.

I almost wish that the character of Lee Paige (played by Tia Carrere) was underutilized. From my perspective, there was much more potential for her character to play a larger role in the film, instead of being merely a malevolent ghost on the wind. Don't ask me how - that's merely my instinct. Her design and personality are interesting right from the get-go, and I was almost disappointed that her presence in the film was so little.

I struggle to find anything that I dislike about how this film was crafted: it's a very strong body of fiction. For those who enjoy flashy, violent revenge movies, this is your ticket to Paradise.

If there ever was a movie that you want to give a 10 to but cannot, this is the one.

In the description, it stated anachronistic underbelly. That it was. When I first heard island odd the mainland, before I saw the license plates, I figured this was some outdated island somewhere off the U. S. Gulf Coast in the dirty south. That would have given this movie a ten. All the way around, this movie felt like a middle point for drug running cartels between Central America and mainland U. S. A. But, when I found out it was one of the islands of Hawai'i, I watched it less seriously. I've been in and seen the underbelly of the drug trade of Southern California and the Island of Oahu. No matter how anachronistic this movie did get, it was too much off to take it as a serious contender.

From the very start to the very end, this movie was a 10 star movie. It was well played out in the western genre it was stated to be in. There were interesting characters. There was an interesting plot. There was even a open door at the end left wide open for a nice little sequel.

There was a slight issue I had with the anachronistic props, because they were glaringly used wrong throughout the movie.

The main and eye blinding problem I had was that the location was just too far off. You could have changed the setting to prehistoric anywhere in Russia and had a better feeling anachronistic setting than any Island of Hawai'i. That was just too unbelievable.

I loved this movie. Having seen it multiple times now I manage to notice something new every time I see it and it just makes me like it even more. There are some great big scenes in this movie that are so much fun to watch. But there are also quite a few little moments that make us realize just how well thought out these characters are.

I'm a big fan of old westerns, and this movie ticks all the boxes of what I like about a western. The setting is remote and beautiful and dangerous. The characters feel lived-in and relatable, but also totally unique and fascinating. Patricia Allison is spot-on as the lead, Ella. She manages to exude the confidence of a tough gunslinger hero type with the pain and vulnerability of a young person struggling with loss and anger and confusion.

It's rare that a movie will make you gasp in total shock in one moment, and have you full on belly laughing at others. Director Max Isaacson had done a phenomenal job bring us a familiar and beloved genre with fresh eyes and a totally unique take. From the music, to the costumes to the wonderful casting, this is a movie that is more than worthy of your time.