Synopsis
At a Hawaiian resort, a five-year college reunion is underway. Four young women inparticular are excited to be chosen as centerfolds for Cavalier magazine (don’t ask). One by one,they are killed in boringly unbloody ways. Investigating is local detective Kari Wuhrer and ex-LA cop Bretn Huff, sent to Hawaii after a stock footage car chase back home. The dialogue withmake you want to hit your head with a sledgehammer, the mystery’s resolution is simultaneouslyobvious and nons…nsical, and the suspense is non-existent. The editing is so choppy, and thereare so many irritating establishing shots of the exterior of the hotel that you’d think director “EdRaymond” was Jess Franco, rather than indefatigable B auteur Fred Olen Ray.
Audio
A most uninteresting 5.1 mix. The music is all right, but could definitely use a boost in therear channels. The sound effects are badly handled. The big explosion that kicks things off hasno rear presence at all, and so it goes. The car chase is a bit of an improvement, with decentleft/right separation, but still isn’t anything to write home about. The dialogue is sometimesafflicted with harsh “s” sounds.
Video
The picture is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen, which is rare for Artisan’s cheaper releases.Unfortunately, the picture isn’t anamorphic. The exteriors are often grainy (often due to the fact,I’m sure, that many of these exteriors are stock footage). There is some edge enhancementvisible, and the picture is rather soft. The colours are okay, but rather bland, with that network-TV sort of look.
Special Features
The menu has an animated and scored main page, intro and transitions. More than a film likethis needs. The extras are trailers for Final Examination, Sucker Ranch,Menace, Guilty by Association and Wendigo.
Closing Thoughts
Don’t. Just don’t. Trust me.
Special Features List
- Trailers
