Noelle Bartley

I love 80’s fantasy films and had cautious high hopes for this one. The plot summary sounded like a fun adventure and the trailer’s editing gave an impression of some slapstick/witty comedy writing harking to Princess Bride material. Unfortunately, the movie really missed the mark for me. From the first 5 minutes, you start to realize it too. My main concerns were the writing and editing. Only maybe three intentional jokes in the script made me chuckle and some campy editing choices were funny (I do think these were intentional). One thing that would have made up a lot for me would be if the romance aspect was stronger. Obviously the leads are married so it’s not a chemistry issue, but again, a lack of good writing/tension build up. There wasn’t a real “zing” of, “oh! They’re really falling in love now and don’t realize it yet” moment. When they finally admit feelings for one another, it doesn’t feel “earned” in the story. I really wish they either leaned full campy in the writing and editing, more self awareness of this love letter to 80s films by having more elements that callback or parody it OR really tightened up the dialog, pacing, jokes, and romance, playing it more straight and earnest as those 80s movies were doing. An ok movie that wasn’t necessarily bad, but won’t be going out of my way to view nor would recommend it, as much as I wish it could have been something really special.