Beyond Paradise (1998) User Reviews

This movie is so true

[smate808 · 6/10 · 4 August 2006]

I saw this movie because some people I know are in it. This movie is so true to how Hawaii really is on the Big Island. With the exception there is no where to race at Pine trees.

It shows how all the locals always want to fight and how the teenage girls are always knocked up, and the drug and alcohol problems that exists here in Hawaii.

I shows the racism against whites (Haoles) but really doesn't show the racism to every single other race.

The story is all but to true. Acting not so good, story good..

If you don't want to take my word for it watch the movie, come to Hawaii and check out how life is here. Don't go to Oahu to see how real Hawaii is because there is to much military and that just isn't how real Hawaii is. Go to Kauai, or the Big Island.

Maui is starting to be more Haole now so outer island are best to see how true this movie is.

This ain't the Hawaii in the travelogues

[brude2000 · 4/10 · 21 March 2000]

A relocated California teen (Roy Newton) faces rampant anti-white sentiment in this interesting `coming of age' drama set in the island paradise of Hawaii. The acting is fair and the drama often forced, as the well-meaning lad struggles to fit into a culture where local islanders view mainlanders as a threat and respond with aggression. This isn't the Hawaii my travel agent pitched.

This uneven effort, written and directed by first-timer David L. Cunningham, is laudable in attempt and tone but suffers from the constrictions of budget and experience. By the final reel, all the characters have either failed or suffered and there are no clear resolutions, except those espoused – all too briefly -- by a native schoolteacher.

A good effort showcasing some awesome local talent

[tlyoung88 · 6/10 · 10 December 2013]

I may be a bit biased, since I've worked with some of the actors in this film.

Nah, they no care what I say. And David Cunningham charged us for the lunch we 'treated' my colleagues to, but that's another story.

Suffice to say, I hated the first third of the film. Tired stereotypes of local boys bullying the poor haole guy.

And then something happened.

As soon as the jellyfish stung Roy, (not a great actor, but I stuck with it), the plot took another turn.

These local boys became real. This is where the movie should have started. Even the local girls become more interesting. The characters lived the world of this film. If only Kalani and Roy were the central characters focusing on their church life.

Kalani made up for Roy's shorcomings as an actor and was far more believable.

Props also to Daryll Bonilla, Lorenzo Callendar and Garret Sato, all friends and colleagues who cut their teeth in this production. They are the real stars of this film, and I'm sure everyone in Hawaii agrees.

It's his first non-documentary project... It shows...

[bobtheduck2003 · 7/10 · 9 December 2005]

I loved "To End All Wars", and I really wanted to see this, since it was David Cunningham's first movie. I finally got a chance to see it a couple weeks ago, and... Well, it shows that this is his first, because it is very rough...

I'm sure a lot of the crew came from his Film production school and other students at the University of the Nations (even used it in the movie!)I'm just wondering if the actors are from his school, too... The acting isn't the best...

Still, this is a very entertaining movie, and even got darker than I expected it to. The big event at the end was a bit surprising to me. The story was very good, and it was supposedly very loosely based on Cunningham's experiences growing up in Hawaii. I would be interested in finding out the extent of the movie that was true, which brings me to my last point.

The movie was mostly good when you accept it for what it is, but the DVD is unforgivable... No documentary stuff, no subtitles, few chapter breaks, and no other special features... This may have been a first generation DVD, because a DVD made now should never be so bare that there isn't even a subtitle track! There was a lot they could have put on this DVD, considering it was considered a promotional thing for Hawaii...

Are you kidding me

[telstarindustries · 1/10 · 10 December 2010]

This movie is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I am shocked at how many positive reviews. Someone really had the nerve to compare this to "Once Were Warriors." Besides the lack of budget and the horrible acting, the story sucks too. WHAT IS THE STORY??????? There is no plot, there is nothing, there is no romance, no story, no character build. It is a stupid movie which appears to be trying to show how rough and cool native Hawaiians are, that being said I have to assume the writer, director and anyone else involved with the making of this movie had to have been teenagers.

Low budget movies can be forgiven to an extent, but where this really misses the mark (besides everything else that makes a movie watchable) is the acting. The lead character Mark Thompson, where did they find this guy, I am really curious if this guy ever tells anyone he was in a movie and then shows this off. God it's embarrassing, "you your having a baby", "I'm sick of Hawaii and I'm sick of you", "I'm sick of you and your drugs. I laugh every time I see this guy, I'm a white dude and I would bully this guy too if I ever met anyone as weak and wormy as Mark Thompson in real life. The other characters suck too, the Hawaiian friends he makes all act they are 12 instead of their late teens. Just because someone from your little island in the middle of the pacific made a movie about your little island doesn't mean it's good, the movie sucks and you have to accept it.

Beyond Hysterical!

[twhiteson · 2/10 · 1 June 2011]

I've seen a lot of bad film-acting over the years. I've seen Faye Dunaway destroy her A-list career in "Mommie Dearest," witnessed a "performance" by Patty Duke in "Valley of Dolls" that undoubtedly had members of the Academy considering revoking her Best Supporting Actress Oscar, endured the career of Keanu Reeves, and watched a litany of ham-acting in such classics as "Robot Monster," "Plan 9 From Outer Space," "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians," and "The Horror at Party Beach." However, I have NEVER seen a performance as laughably awful as that of Roy Newton in this cheesy film about bad-@ss Hawaiian high-schoolers.

I'm still trying to determine if Newton really is this bad of an actor or the director just hated his guts. No competent director would allow an actor to humiliate himself as badly as Newton does in this film unless that director held a grudge against him. What director could watch Newton fail in scene after scene and say: "Oh, yeah, that was great, Roy!" The plot. Newton plays "Mark Thompson" a transplanted Californian who must cope at his "tough" Hawaiian high school where skinny "Haoleboys" cowardly cringe around the strutting, super-macho native Hawaiians. Through a mixture of butt-kissing and oh-so-convenient life saving rescue, Mark finds himself befriending three local boys and experiencing their lives and culture.

So much for the throwaway plot which just seems to be a sop for the egos of native Hawaiians who may enjoy seeing how rough-and-tough they are in comparison to weakling Haoles. The ONLY reason this film would be of any interest to anyone outside of Hawaii and/or the families of the people who made it is the "performance of Roy Newton. How bad is Newton? I don't think words can adequately describe his complete lack of ANY skill or discernible talent as an actor. It really is a case of it has to be seen to be believed. However, these are his biggest flaws: firstly, he's too old to be playing a high schooler; secondly, he comes across as such a prissy, little weenie that he completely unlikeable; and thirdly, he can't act. Although the above didn't stop me from laughing heartily at Newton and this movie. I love it when he gets strangled by "Ronnieboy" and makes no attempt to defend himself. Or when two middle-aged Hawaiian guys step on him for no reason while he's laying a beach and Newton's hysterical response consists of whining: "Leave me alone!" It gets even better when he's punched in the face and runs off like a little girl. This is funny stuff! (I watched the "punched face" scene six times and was practically on the floor laughing.) It's no big surprise that Newton's only other acting role was an uncredited part in "Independence Day" and that "Beyond Paradise" was his last paying gig as a film-actor. He's simply terrible, but he is, ironically, the ONLY entertaining thing about this cheezoid, low-budget straight-to-DVD release.

In sum: Newton is like one of those supporting actors in a "slasher" movie who gets killed off by Freddie/Jason/Michael early in the film, but for some unfathomable reason the producers of "Beyond Paradise" thought he was leading man material.

Best film about Hawaii ever!!!

[Sam-208 · 9/10 · 8 June 1999]

I must say I saw this film with a group of friends here in Hawaii and the theatre was jam packed. This movie shows both the good and bad sides of Hawaii. Where movies like "Aloha Summer" and "North Shore" failed "Beyond Paradise" succeeds. The story focuses on California native Mark[Roy Newton] as he moves to Hawaii to live with his mother. He is befriended by three local students named Zulu[Kalani], Ronnie Boy[Lorenzo Callender] and Keao[Daryl Bonilla]. We then are taken on a journey of both beauty and violence and what a journey it is. Aside from one flaw[which I'll talk about a little later]I thought this movie was excellent. The cinematography is superb and the story is brutal but utterly endearing and touching. But the thing that stands out most is the acting. This film showcases some young talented actors. I'd take these actors over any from the "Dawson Creek", "Scream" crowd. Newton is okay but shows little depth and even lesser growth as Mark[this being the flaw I mentioned earlier]. Being on the screen with talented actors as he was only made his so-so performance stand out more[which in his case was not a good thing]. Kalani is a charmer as the storytelling Zulu[not a bad surfer as well]. Callender delivers a solid yet heartbreaking performance as Ronnie. He's got talent. Bonilla distinguishes himself as Keao. He is a scene stealer. This guy is something special to watch as the crowd just ate him up. Priscilla Basque[Lehua], Troy Ignacio[Aku] and Eric MacArthur[Jason]do good work in supporting roles. I seriously recommend that people see this film for just the great acting alone as this movie delivers 9/10.

A simple case of.....

[D.C.-2 · 10/10 · 2 September 1999]

...great actors taking a good script & making it better. The actors here are really good. Roy Newton is good as Mark. He stumbles a few times but manages to pull it off. Lorenzo Callender has the least lines of the four guys but the lines he does have hits home. Kalani is the likeable Zulu, Mr. Aloha himself. Daryl Bonilla is a natural as comical yet troubled Keao, an audience favorite. Troy Ignacio was very effective as menacing Aku and Priscilla Basque does good work as Lehua. I agree with everyone that the cinematography was fantastic. It's been awhile since the film stopped playing here but people still talk about it waiting for a re-release or a sequel. Good movie!!!

I think Hollywood Reporter Review said it best-"A Mixure of AMERICAN GRAFFITI and ONCE WERE WARRIORS. Great Film! I caught it at AFI Fest 98.

[moviemixer · 10/10 · 18 November 1998]

I have been tracking this film since its rough cut debut at the Hawaii Film Fest. I heard that it broke the attendance record at that Fest and had tremendous reviews. Evidently, the film makers were able to raise additional funds from that success and shot additional scenes. The final version was premiered at AFI Fest 98. The screening I attended was packed, people stood in the back and chairs were brought in. It was a lot of fun. I heard the second screening was just as full. The film is about a young Californian who moves to the big island of Hawaii. There he is befriended by three Hawaiians who show him a very different Hawaii that is not seen by the average tourist. Incredible cinematography ( especially the underwater scenes ) and a great soundtrack, along with a strong script with dramatic performances make up for a great ride. The lead Hawaiian performance by Lorenzo Callender is particularly impressive.

One "haole boy" whose home will forever be Hawaii (Great film!, too!)

[wayne-2 · 10/10 · 26 July 2003]

Wow, where do I start. I was stoked to find the DVD at Tower on Kapi'olani the other day. You see, I moved here in 1992 from Virginia, to have to move back in 1993 for another heart surgery. My 'heart" was left in Hawai'i, though. This film was made in 1998, and was not released in Virginia, so I missed it in theaters. I returned to Paradise in 2000. I kept hearing about this great film and how it put "North Shore" to shame, etc. They are two different films, different islands, different decades, and I love them both! Both show off the spectacular beauty that is The Aloha State. I have been to the Big Island several times, and plan to go back next month. I have also been to Maui, Kauai, and Molokai. Each is unique, but also uniquely Hawai'i.

I thought all of the acting was as close to excellent as I've seen in any other film. This film had my whole range of emotions going. I was at times excited, scared, angry, furious, thrilled, sad, and in tears more than once (I'm a 43 year-old guy, who has seen more of the world than I'd like to, let's leave it at that) If you don't shed a tear at the end of this movie, you need a pulse check.

The entire pastoral staff at my church (Hope Chapel South Shore, here in Waikiki) surfs, and I am buying them each copies of this movie. Come visit us at the Waikiki Community Center. I'll be the "haole" running the sound board at 10:30!

Touching and well told.

[DC-10 · 9/10 · 18 November 1998]

I saw BP at AFI Fest 98 in Santa Monica. It was a sold out showing and the crowd responded enthusiastically. I think it deals with cross cultural relationships in a very subtle but profound way. It is beautifully filmed and has a lot of great moments.

Shows some of the true sides of Hawaii

[chronic-2 · 9/10 · 26 April 1999]

Beyond Paradise is a movie that not only shows the side of Hawaii not much people see... but it also shows how prejudiced people can get. The movie had a good meaning. Topped off with good acting and nice story line.. TWO THUMBS UP!

I'm HG the real girl behind the scenes

[lawaina · 10/10 · 2 November 2009]

Aloha, my name is HG,my bro is DG,Ronnieboi is my bro in the Movie. I just wanna say that i thought this movie was good. When i seen it on the big screen knowing this movie was about our lives(my life), it made me laugh and cry. Now every thing you all seen in the movie, half is true and some not true. But i think this was a wake up call for all of us. Stop the fighting! Stop household abuse! Maybe David makes another movie, just to school again. So all you hater's crying about this movie. Stop HATING, it must be going on in your HOME,to BOOO this movie.I know everyone has there own opinion, But because i know what really happened, because behind the scenes i'm that little girl at Ronnie's house. But i'm 3 yrs. younger then DG,DC,GC and Z.( sorry Z i 4 got your last name) so i would tell every1 that i'm Maile.I got busted choke time's when i was at Konaweana High School.I was very Kolohe when i was a teenager, But i like it,looking like a little girl in the movie. David why did you make me a little girl? Can someone hook me up with some posters and the Movie. All the movies is not 4 sale. It's all gone from wal-mart and blockbuster in hilo,Hi no more. Well i can go on 4ever telling about the movie, but i'll stop here. Bombai i tell you the whole movie...LOL...P.s. go see the movie it's not about RACES, Once you've understand the movie and what's true and what's not true then you might just like it! <3 ya HG

View from the islands

[mauigrl · 10/10 · 31 January 2006]

Aloha, my name is Leila I'm from the island of Maui,I loved the movie "Beyond Paradise, because it's so real, this is how Hawaii is and the tourist come over, and don't know it, and they disrespect our island. I'm basically blond blue eyes, but i was born and raised on the island, most of my family is Hawaiian, so growing up in school was not like the movie for me. but it was like like for the kids coming from the mainland. i always had local boyfriends, one white boy, but it didn't feel right being with someone that was not from the same life style, so i got to to stick with by local boys. But i just wanted to say how nice it was to watch this movie, and see how life is so different here, because it's so different from the mainland. but i'm proud to be from Hawaii and represent the island and language. and to Lorenzo Callender, your a hot local guy, and you got it all going for you, good luck in future films.

Best film about Hawaii...EVER!!

[Sam-208 · 9/10 · 2 June 1999]

I just wanted to say that this movie was fantastic. It was honest without being insulting(as most films about Hawaii are)and the camera work was superb. The thing that stood out the most was the exceptional performances by Lorenzo Callender(Ronnie Boy), Daryl Bonilla(Keao) and Kalani(Zulu), with Bonilla stealing the show with natural depth and comedic timing. Hopefully Hollywood's "big wigs" will look into these fine young actors. Great movie!!!

A beautiful movie

[CH-7 · 9/10 · 10 June 1999]

I've seen this movie 4 times since it opened in theatres here in Hawaii in April of this year and I still enjoy this movie. It is one of the most beautifully shot films I've seen. And it is superbly acted. Lorenzo Callender and Daryl Bonilla are gems. Both have great charisma on-screen and I can't wait to see them in other film. The rest of the cast did a good job. This movie is something special and I'm waiting for the video(or the sequel). *** out of ****.