When I first saw this film on my own at a cinema, I had an overall positive impression and messaged my sisters that it was flawed but had enough redeeming qualities to make it worth a watch. I couldn't quite pinpoint what I disliked about the movie, but knew I definitely hadn't liked all of it....
Two years later, I decided to look it up again to see if I could stream it for a second viewing, and maybe see if I could finally put my thumb on why I didn't like it unreservedly. I found it on Amazon Prime, and rather than rent it for $5, decided to buy it for $20. Before re-watching it though, I thought I'd check out some reviews and came across a 2-star IMDB review. The author, (tylerallan-29252, 28 October 2019), hated the movie and made notes as to why.
After reading tylerallan's review I actually gave it a thumbs up...! While I still liked the movie, several factors were in my favour:
Without that background and going in cold to watch this movie, I can see how it would seem a confusing mess. For that reason, I marked tylerallan's review as helpful, since it gave an insight into the mind of a non-Samoan viewer, who needed more help with understanding the culture of Samoa, perhaps, to appreciate the references.
My notes, then, on what made the movie enjoyable for me, and worth buying for repeat viewings:
Cons:
I like the movie on a gut level, but some technical aspects and plot points need improving if they're planning a sequel as rumoured. I'm sure it'll appeal to a wider, less-niche audience as a result (but please don't cut back on any of the spoken Samoan - that's my fav!!!!!!!!!)
Two years later, I decided to look it up again to see if I could stream it for a second viewing, and maybe see if I could finally put my thumb on why I didn't like it unreservedly. I found it on Amazon Prime, and rather than rent it for $5, decided to buy it for $20. Before re-watching it though, I thought I'd check out some reviews and came across a 2-star IMDB review. The author, (tylerallan-29252, 28 October 2019), hated the movie and made notes as to why.
After reading tylerallan's review I actually gave it a thumbs up...! While I still liked the movie, several factors were in my favour:
- I'm Samoan, (born and raised in New Zealand and now live overseas)
- I speak the language with a modicum of fluency
- I was raised by 2 Samoan immigrants, so understand the slapstick humour that is so loved by the folks back home
- I also get the supremacy-via-singing trope (church, everyone!)
- Also, the all-pervasive fascination with everything martial arts that I'm sure is true across the Pacific Islands - where all Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies were box office smashes (subtitles or no) - is something I grew up experiencing first-hand
- The pathetic sobbing of a traveller before leaving home is also a common theme at all Samoan farewells/celebrations, so what would seem to be a random scene to the uninitiated is actually an authentic representation of what one might witness (for reals...!)
- The monetary and food gifts from strangers also needs to be understood as an aspect of Samoan culture that would otherwise seem to be a random scene (faafafines might also need to be explained in order for that scene to be fully appreciated)
Without that background and going in cold to watch this movie, I can see how it would seem a confusing mess. For that reason, I marked tylerallan's review as helpful, since it gave an insight into the mind of a non-Samoan viewer, who needed more help with understanding the culture of Samoa, perhaps, to appreciate the references.
My notes, then, on what made the movie enjoyable for me, and worth buying for repeat viewings:
- hearing Samoan spoken in all its iterations - the staccato speed of the Samoan spoken by the old folk on the island (Alama + Popo's dad); the fluency of the island youths using their idioms and abbreviations (Alama + Popo + and the nosey neighbour character); the slower cadence of Samoan spoken fluently by immigrants who had moved to NZL years previously (Bob's mum + relatives); the accented fluency of the NZL-Samoans, who may have left in their youth and retained the language, but for whom English was now the main spoken tongue (Alfriston's mum); the surprising fluency of Samoans whom you'd never guess were Samoan let alone could speak it (pub sing-off character); the accented non-fluency of the NZL-born Samoans (Bob) ... all of it was a joy to hear, albeit somewhat confusing since my brain understood what I was hearing instinctively, yet my eyes weren't able to read the subtitles fast enough to compare(!)
- seeing regular, non-glamorous scenes of island life depicted (I remember similar scenes from visiting relatives in my youth)
- seeing ie lavalava (sarongs) being worn with see kosokoso (flip-flops) normally by men
- I also enjoyed the cameos with some of NZL's preeminent acting/sports stars
Cons:
- I think the movie could have benefited from tighter editing - some of the chase scenes dragged on a bit
- Some character development would have helped viewers with no Samoan cultural background/understanding enjoy the movie more
- Some more explanation of the martial art theme of the movie would have helped a lot overall (one mention of Lima Tau during the training montage 2/3 of the way through the movie was way too little, too late)
I like the movie on a gut level, but some technical aspects and plot points need improving if they're planning a sequel as rumoured. I'm sure it'll appeal to a wider, less-niche audience as a result (but please don't cut back on any of the spoken Samoan - that's my fav!!!!!!!!!)
