MovieChat Forums > Rapa Nui (1994) Discussion > why is this movie considered so dull?

why is this movie considered so dull?

posted 18 years ago by burke2182
9 replies | jump to latest

I remember the first time I saw this film, I was about 13. It came on late night on a saturday on showtime when most of the great movies come on. 10 years later I'm still in love with this movie. It amazes me how when a story never before really told turns out so beautiful and so in connection with history (the movie gave a perfect background of love to the truth that the island was ruined because of the creation of the massive statues, as well as the birdman competition for control of the tribes)is hardly noticed when a story thats been recycled for years and full of big names and lasts for 3-4 hours (titanic) is given all kinds of raves and awards. I have begun to notice an awful trend in movies that somehow seems both racially motivated and culturally motivated. movies that involve totally different lands or cultures are either made comically or not really seen for the beauty they are unless you throw in a tom cruise or a brad pitt. for the past 15 years, if a movies doesn't have a big name A lister, come from a video game, last 3 hours with 5 years worth of cgi work, is the second third fourth rendition of, or have downright degrading comedy, it isn't given a second thought. are people really so simple that they can mindlessly watch the same garbage repeatedly and ignore true cinema genius?

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] slipcat555 17 years ago

I think a lot of guys are reluctant to see a movie that has naked or skimpy-dressed men in it. They don't want to let on to their friends that they want to see the movie, even if they are interested in the story, so they don't go. That's probably why the movie didn't do well at the box office. I know a kid who said Apocalypto was "gay" and I've heard Emerald Forest and Lord of the Flies called "queer movies" too.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] blondinii 16 years ago

I question the taste of any critic who considers this film dull......

[–] VanTammen 15 years ago

Well Conan could be in that list (The first one by Milus)

[–] ian-462 16 years ago

What this movie makes me want to see is movies about the respective ends of the Vinland and Greenland colonies.

[–] DC-Tiki 12 years ago

You wrote this comment in 2006 and here we are in 2012 and your fears have only got worse. A staggering 96% of the product coming out of Hollywood this year is based on a prior property, be it a reboot, sequel, or adaptation of a video game/book/novel. Granted, the movie industry doesn't only include the Hollywood studio's efforts but still, 96% is an incredibly depressing statistic for those of us who would quite like to see more original content get made.
Just saw Rapa Nui for the first time this evening, I've always been intrigued to see this film but only now have managed to find a copy of it (on VHS to watch.) I really liked it, great film - nice resonant themes, beautiful cinematography and an engaging set of characters. It's a real shame that critics of the time jumped on a bandwagon to unfairly pan it, so much so that it isn't easily found or even available in some regions on more recent entertainment formats such as DVD or Blu-ray.

[–] maderi 10 years ago

I first saw this film in 2005, when I was actually ON Easter Island. They showed it in this little homemade theatre at the neighboring hotel, once a week. They were really proud of it. There is so much they don't know about their past. One of the locals did not like the fact that I guess the locals made a few dollars from having the film crew and such there - and they brought in more cars than they had ever had on the island. It's a great place to go - and I am so very grateful that I have had the pleasure of being there live and in person.