The Island review – Michael Jai White punches up in stunt-filled Caribbean action flick – The Guardian
On an unnamed island within the Caribbean, a cartel boss named Manuel (Edoardo Costa) kills bartender Akeem (Tristan Duncan) merely as a result of he spills a drink on Nora (Cami Storm), a younger singer Manuel was planning to lock up in his villa and power to sing just for himself, like a canary. The homicide is just not solely grisly and dangerous administration observe, but additionally consequential as a result of it brings down the wrath of Akeem’s brother Mark (motion film star Michael Jai White, from Mortal Kombat and Black Dynamite), an LA policeman. It seems Mark grew up on the island the place he left behind an ex-wife, Akilah (Gillian White, who’s married to her co-star Michael in actual life), his mom and plenty of previous pals. Swearing to learn how Akeem actually died, he strikes again and a collection of fisticuff face-offs ensue as he works by the chain of command, ultimately discovering his strategy to Manuel.
Directed ploddingly by Shaun Paul Piccinino, a someday actor himself with a background in stunts, this isn’t going to win any awards, however it has a sure allure as grindhouse schlock. Michael Jai White has a stately gravitas and he’s clearly doing most of his personal stunts, which additionally goes for Gillian White, whose character right here runs a martial arts dojo for youths. The chemistry between them is fully convincing and sufficient to get viewers rooting for them each to outlive to allow them to get again collectively.
Judging by the tip credit, the placement appears to have been in and round St Kitts and Nevis however presumably the tiny two-island nation didn’t need to scare off potential vacationers. Even so it’s as if this movie was made particularly by and for middle-aged and older West Indians who worth manners, chivalry and neighborhood. All these values are elevated within the closing act when, after a rousing speech in a church from Mark, the entire island comes out to assist Mark, Akilah and Mark’s smartass police buddy Phil to take down the cartel boss and his gang. Bless!
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