videorama-759-859391
This swashbuckling adventure romp, which I hadn't seen in over thirty years, best confirmed my level of enjoyment for it. Better known as Savage Islands, this less known film, is an Indiana Jones at sea, with Tommy Lee Jones, again in top form, as a notorious pirate, misinterpreted as a bad guy by many. With an old score to settle, once a friend and partner, now a sworn and ruthless enemy (Oz's Max Phipps, a late great Aussie acting import) has Jones locked up where he reflects on his memoirs and his lucrative profitable past, to a biographer and we're taken back in time to a young couple (O Keefe, a reverend, and his lovely bride to be Seagrove) who Jones helped to exact revenge, on Phipps, after wiping out a village and taking his bride to be, but of course reclaims her, only Phipps had survived. There are some beautiful sunny sea island shots, and the film is rich on atmosphere, filmed in he Pacific, where Seagrove is one fine treasure herself, where she also, clearly has the hots for Jones. Jones has never been hotter in a film, actually, the bearded look really suits him. Phipps is fun as the villain, and there's great choreographed action and scenery, in this very overlooked film. O Keefe's performance is too stiff, or some would say comically overdone, as a reverend, though I've never really thought much of him as an actor, except for Split Image, etc. A treasure of a viewing, with the scariest flying fox you'll ever see.
mrsmoore18018
We expected more. The only thing saving this movie for us was the fact that we enjoy Tommy Lee Jones. Where to classify this movie? The story and the characters, even the villain all work toward a children's film. So why the violence? It certainly doesn't beef out the movie; it just seems incongruous to the humor and cuteness. We can't enjoy it with the kids and it's too cutesy to take seriously.There was no scene setting, no use of color to set the mood. The sky is blue, the sea is beautiful, the palm trees are waving and even the music is upbeat while people are dying right and left. There is no suspense, since the action is highly predictable. Although the characters developed, there was little attention paid to that. There was love and infatuation, but no romance. Certainly not up to the standards of The Pirates of the Caribbean, or the Temple of Doom. Sorry folks, we gave it a 5.
Alligator_80
It would have have been nice if the title over here and in the UK "Savage Islands" would have been the title in the US, instead of the crappy, very regular title "Nate And Hayes." WOW! That title is so exciting! Not. Whoever thought up of the US should be ashamed of themselves, as this movie that plentiful action throughout, but because of the title, hit rock-bottom at the box office. Shame! Anyhow, as long as it has plenty of cult admirers, this shall remain on the greatest underrated Action/Adventure films! Tommy Lee Jones, Mike O'Keefe and Jenny Seagrove excel in this underrated masterpiece and it would have been nice if it could get a re-released digitally-remastered print in all the cinemas. Then maybe, just maybe people would find out just what they were missing on. Yeah, that would be nice, very nice. Also, word of mouth is very important, thus if the public could praise the movie and spread it to their friends, "Savage Islands" could get a second chance! The chance it deserved 22 years ago! For the meantime, check out this movie- It kicks arse!
kzm
If you ever want to see a fairly recent pirate movie, forget cutthroat island, but rent this one! good acting, fun story, and Tommy Lee Jones! not to mention the gorgeous Jenny Seagrove. all perfectly cast in this great movie
AD
