Cutthroat Island is everything a movie named Cutthroat Island should be, and no more. It is a pirate picture, pure and simple, and doesn't transcend its genre except perhaps in the luxurious production. Leaner and meaner pirate movies have worked more or less as well, but this one gets the job done.
This is movie is underrated, there is lot of action and although a little cheesy, some great adventure scenes. Geena Davis is fantastic in it, strong and carefree leader of seamen. So refreshing not to always watch a film where the woman is being rescued by men in tights and mask. She saves her men and fights and kills the main enemy to take the treasure. Great Sunday home movie.
Harlin is never a man to shy away from the lure of Very Big Explosions, and, on a technical level, the spectacle's impressive. The only actor to make much of an impact is Malahide's colonial officer, who extracts tart irony from the merest crumbs.
For all its derring-do, Cutthroat Island is sluggish, flat, tiresome. Watching it is like being stuck on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride for an endless two hours. [22 Dec 1995, p.4G]
The movie is a turgid, swollen, wheezing old contraption, a crashing bore of special effects in which the most exciting moment gives us two ships sitting in water sending cannon balls at each other for what seems like hours on end.
A Nautical Adventure that Sets Sail with Charm and Excitement
"Cutthroat Island" takes audiences on a swashbuckling voyage filled with action, camaraderie, and a hearty dose of wit. Geena Davis commands the screen as Morgan Adams, a bold pirate with her sights on buried treasure. Davis's portrayal brings depth and magnetism to the character, drawing us into her high-stakes pursuit.
The film captures the essence of classic pirate escapades, delivering exhilarating sword fights, daring escapes, and captivating seafaring scenes. The chemistry between Davis and Matthew Modine lends authenticity to their characters' partnership, infusing the story with camaraderie and humor.
"Cutthroat Island" deftly navigates between heart-pounding action and moments of levity, striking a balance that keeps the adventure engaging. The interplay between Morgan and her deceitful uncle adds layers of intrigue, heightening the personal stakes of the treasure hunt.
While the film embraces familiar pirate genre tropes, it does so with a modern twist, injecting unexpected humor and clever plot developments. The lush cinematography transports viewers to a bygone era of exploration and discovery, further enriched by meticulous period details and vibrant costumes.
Ultimately, "Cutthroat Island" sails as a spirited escapade that embraces its seafaring heritage. Geena Davis's magnetic performance, coupled with a touch of family drama and a healthy dose of swashbuckling, makes this film a captivating addition to the world of cinematic adventure.
If you're ready to embark on a thrilling journey complete with action, companionship, and a quest for riches, "Cutthroat Island" is your ticket to a rollicking good time!
In this film two pirates will compete against each other to find a great treasure, waiting hidden in a infamous island. Directed by Renny Harlin, it has a script by Robert King and Marc Norman. It features a cast led by Geena Davis, Matthew Modine and Frank Langella.
Before "Pirates of the Caribbean" were rare pirate films that had some success. This was just another movie that tried unsuccessfully to popularize these genre, leading to bankruptcy the company that filmed it. Lots of action (sometimes too much, making the film a comedy of improbabilities), a few jokes with greater or lesser sense of humor, a good mix between a villain bad as snakes and a very attractive heroine and... bingo! We have a pirate movie that manages to entertain without delight or become memorable.
Geena Davis was quite regular in her role, but not enough to make the movie of her life. Matthew Modine seems to have been chosen for the role to be cute, he's not a remarkable actor. Langella turns out to be the heaviest actor in the cast, though he has only "grown" after doing it. And he did a good performance, making his character worthy of our anger. Shot in the Mediterranean and the Indian seas, this film has a series of visually appealing scenarios and memorable scenes because of its visual beauty. Boats built for the movie are replicas romanticized of eighteenth century ships, and are beautiful to behold. The special, visual and sound effects worked without stand out. The soundtrack is excellent and, speaking only about pirate movies, its second only to "Pirates of the Caribean".
In short, although this movie is far from being a masterpiece, its very good in entertaining the public for a few hours.
Production Company
Beckner/Gorman Productions,
Canal+,
Carolco Pictures,
Cutthroat Productions,
Forge,
Guild,
Laurence Mark Productions,
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM),
RCS Video,
Tele-Communications Inc.