Rapa Nui (1994)

I wanted to but couldn't!

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

I love this movie.Briefly, "Rapa Nui" is the native Polynesian name for Easter Island, and this story is set during a highly speculative, yet resonant, depiction of an end of an era that saw high superstition influence the Long-Ear ruling class to ruthlessly subjugate laborers of the Short-Ear clan for building and erecting ever larger giant stone-carved-statued "Moai" to placate seemingly ambivalent ancestral gods while depleting all their natural resources in the pursuit of this sole aim. Featuring a great primal adversarial dynamic between Jason Scott Lee and Esai Morales, as former childhood best friends, equally noble but from different social castes - both competing in a breathlessly filmed islandwide triathlon of running/swimming/climbing contested by the various clans to decide who rules them all as "Birdman" overleader - as well as a private wager between the two men for which will win the hand of their lifelong romantic ambition, as personified in the lithely loinclothed Sandrine Holt (at her most naturally rapturious). All this while the only world they know is spinning out of control and collapsing around them. "Rapa Nui" is a finely acted, well spun, sweepingly romantic historical epic tragedy with stunningly photographed oceanic vistas, harrowing action sequences, and an incredible ethnic music score from Police drummer Stewart Copeland! From the perfectly plausible authenticity of the costuming and sets, to cinematographer Stephen Windon's lush scope complimenting director Kevin Reynold's grand vision, the entire cast and crew sublimely complete a truly intimate and stirring portrayal of social revolution amidst environmental upheaval. It's honestly a gripping tour de force in adventure cinema, with an astonshingly realized recreation of a world lost to time. Firmly planted among my favorite films. And certainly one I am always pleased to expose more people to.I've heard writer/director Kevin Reynolds subsequently express disappointment with this film. I understand it's difficult for him to have a fair perspective of something he's so intimately involved in the intricacies of attempted recreation of, especially when it doesn't perform finacially after much trouble. I suppose maybe it became a source of brow beating for him that perhaps factored into his immediatly following tumultuous period on "Waterworld"? Just speculating. But he should be extremely proud of his achievement here, because it is quite exceptional. A new more finely tuned retrospective ought to be commissioned to accompany a long overdue restoration release of this film, assembling original existing behind the scenes promo featuerettes with more candid contemporary interviews. I've always been keenly interested in the making of this particular underseen gem. And I've always been curious about its vaguely alluded to production woes, as well as how hands on producer Kevin Costner was. It's one of my most coveted bluray remaster wishes, as I've never seen it in anything near a pristine presenation ever. It's worthy. Very much so. Anyone who appreciated Mel Gibson's "Apacalypto" - or perhaps Roland Emmerich's "10,000 B.C." or even James Cameron's "Avatar" - should be clamouring to add "Rapa Nui" to their top shelf collection. Classical mythologic hero's journey archetype done to perfection.Sadly, as of the writing of the review, for some fool reason one of 1994's most beautiful films "Rapa Nui" is not readily availible, not attractively so anyway. I've never even seen a decent presentation of this, just an HBO recording from VCR, then an old pan and scan used rental VHS, and then finally a slapdash foreign DVD rudimentary transfer. Apparently Warner Bros Archive has released what may be a slightly improved presentation. Yet nevertheless, it is blatantly magnificient in every incarnation. So someone in charge please chose to do the right thing and preserve this film properly."Rapa Nui" really is deserving of discovery and reassessment. I feel like it's objectively a wonderful film. To me, it's absolutely a classic.

To judge from the derision heaped on this film, one could be forgiven for thinking it must be totally unwatchable, however, that definitely is not the case. The film was shot on location and despite liberties taken with history, it is an absorbing look at a mysterious culture that has virtually disappeared.1400 years ago, Polynesian seafarers settled on the most remote island on earth, Easter Island or Rapa Nui as they called it. Although most of what is known about their history is speculation based on archaeological evidence, it seems the island went through an intense period of statue (moai) building, followed by an equally intense period of tearing them down. In the course of which, Rapa Nui was denuded of trees and its society decimated by warfare and famine. To regulate their dwindling resources, the islanders conducted an annual ocean race with the winner's tribe ruling the island for a year under their leader, the Birdman.Kevin Reynolds' movie is about these events. In fact, every event in the island's history is in the film. What took over 1000 years to unfold takes place in what seems like a single season. Time compression is one of the major criticisms of the film.The writers constructed a Romeo and Juliet love story around the characters played by Jason Scott Lee, Sandrine Holt, and Esai Morales. This aspect of the story is quite effective due to their convincing performances. Less convincing are passages of silly dialogue between Eru Potaka-Dewes, and George Henare playing the reigning Birdman and the High Priest respectively. However, these are exceptions; the rest of the script effectively moves the story along and explains why things are happening to this doomed culture.The making and moving of the moai are highlights of the film as is the birdman competition; an event so gruelling that by comparison, a modern triathlon seems about as difficult as an egg-and-spoon race. The film recreates the event at the actual location: the cliffs at Orongo. Today it is forbidden to scale these cliffs but it seems the film was shot before the restriction existed.The score by Stewart Copeland, the former drummer of the band Police, features a blend of choral, orchestral and new age elements. A traditional score may have worked but this one is inspired, delivering a sense that time is running out for Rapa Nui.Much bare skin is exposed in the movie and nearly all the women appear topless. Gratuitousness is another charge levelled at the film, however the alternative would have been Dorothy Lamour sarongs. Historical evidence suggests the costume designers got it right, which probably pleased the marketing people who no doubt had an eye on the box office.Rapa Nui offers a very different cinema experience. It is not without the odd gaffe, but it is also totally unique and utterly compelling as well.

The island itself is stunningly beautiful and the film makes good use of this, especially the race at the end which is compelling in its apparent difficulty for the actors. As for the accuracy of the film it is mainly based on guesswork, so the whole racial element is for the benefit of drama. What surprises me is that some of the other reviewers wonder how an advanced civilisation can be so racist! Take a look at your own society and wonder! As well as a love story there is a competitive element, and an explanation about what happened to the island. If Easter Island interests you this film will entertain. As for the nudity, don't be so prudish!

It must be sad to think the story or facts have anything to do with the true pleasure of watching this film. This film shines for one magic reason: Sandrine Holt, topless. I repeat, Sandrine Holt, topless. Sandrine Holt (Pocahontas, Once A Thief) is the most beautiful female on the planet and to see her cavorting topless throughout the first half of this picture (including a nice closeup of nipples as she lies on her back on the top of a hill) is pure heaven. Unfortunately Sandra spends the second half of the film unseen in a cave (was the director mad! gay! stupid!!!) For that reason I have to say I enjoyed Pocahontas more given that she's in that film more (and just as gorgeous!). My advise is to get Rapa-Nui and as soon as they stick her in the cave, rewind, and watch the first half again.