Finding ‘Ohana is a new Netflix movie and a decent attempt at a family adventure film hurt by lazy, limp pacing, editing, and directing (maybe even writing). I think the actors are doing the best they can and they are pretty appealing bunch… but they are betrayed by a waterlogged story structure and a surprising dearth of fun.
The flick is about a New York family of Hawaiians who return to Oahu to visit their estranged grandfather. The young teen daughter is all about the geocaching and thinking she’s Indiana Jones so when the grandfather spins tales of Spanish pirates, she goes on a treasure hunt. Meanwhile, in a more serious movie, the mother has to make amends with her dad (because, as we all know, ohana means family).
Yes, this movie borrows heavily from The Goonies but only in its visuals and story. It fails to find that movie’s sense of fun and pacing. And not to bag on the movie too much for what it isn’t… but, even on its own, the movie clearly has pacing issues. It should be much more fun, much more energetic… it lacks zip, pep, energy, especially in its second half when the cave adventure just gets mushy and sloggy. Then it adds in some Hawaiian mysticism that also lacks energy. It’s just mud.
It’s a real shame too since, like I said, I like the cast and having native Hawaiians in a movie about Hawaii deserved better. That’s why the more adult focused plot where the returning family has to make amends with the grandfather and their legacy on the island is actually the better movie. But it doesn’t fill up the two hour run-time… but that’d have been a better flick given how these filmmakers couldn’t handle a children’s adventure story with the vim and vigor required.
I was looking forward to this movie and, for awhile, it gave me hope we’d have a pretty fun adventure. It failed me though. But maybe it’s a decent enough attempt, especially if it gives some spotlight on Hawaiian culture… assuming it’s not all bunk (what do I know beyond what Lilo and Stitch and the Brady Bunch taught me?).
Score: 71