Synopsis
An art-museum heist leads to the discovery of a map pointing the way to a treasure hiddenby Christopher Columbus. Two groups wind up on a remote island, racing each other and aferocious storm for the treasure. One group is a collection of criminals and crooked cops, eagerto kill our heroes in the second group (Stephen Baldwin, Nicolette Sheridan, and assorted comicrelief).
The director of this dead duck is supposedly someone named “Jay Andrews,” but withinmoments it is pa…nfully evident that the culprit is Mr. Low Rent himself, Jim Wynorski. Youhave to admire the balls that would open a film with stock footage from Backdraft, andinstantly recognizable footage at that, since it’s the scenes we all saw a million times in thetrailers. We’re also asked to believe the obvious warehouse is an art museum. Later, thevegetation on the island shifts from tropical to arid from shot to shot, and the place hassuspiciously well-groomed paths. To its credit, the film chuffs along, but only down paths aswell-worn as those on the island, and every time a character opens his/her mouth, it is anoccasion for throat-clutching horror.
Audio
The audio comes in both 5.1 and 2.0 versions. The surround effects are extremely plentifuland extremely loud. They are, in fact, too loud, as they sometimes drown out the front speakers,notably in the opening scene. There is also very occasional buzz on the dialogue.
Video
Fairly typical fullscreen transfer of a cheap movie. The colours are decent, but the image isa bit soft, and is prone a slight shimmer now and then. There is some grain, too. The pinks seemoff as well. Though the greens and blacks are fine, characters often have rather splotchycomplexions.
Special Features
Nothing but the trailer. The menu’s main screen is scored.
Closing Thoughts
Total assembly-line DTV schlock, made with a get-in-get-out-give-me-my-paycheck formof uncaring professionalism.
Special Features List
- Trailer
