Review of Trapped in Paradise (1994) by Peter H — 23 Dec 2011

TRAPPED IN PARADISE [1994]: Yes its Christmas time again and do you know what that means for most film buffs? It's time to talk about Christmas movies of all shapes and sizes. After two years of going out of my way to view obscure cult holiday movies like that -bizarre-Mexican-acid- fest- of- a- Christmas-Film SANTA CLAUS [1959], The "beloved" cult classic SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS [1964] and just last year viewing Sexploitation Guru Barry Mahon's truly horrendous children's film SANTA & THE ICE CREAM BUNNY [1972] I thought this year to save me from tears I decide to view (and review) a mainstream Nicholas Cage Christmas movie. After two years of yuletide nightmares inspired by three fucked up Christmas films, I thought how can this go wrong for me?

Thankfully the 1994 film TRAPPED IN PARADISE doesn't come close to those three train wrecks but the only fault with this film it follows the tried and true Christmas Comedy formula. It isn't necessarily a bad thing but sadly it just doesn't go beyond being an average film. Anyway using a mix of a heist film with a Christmas comedy kind of makes this film slightly memorable.

THE PLOT: When Bill Firpo's (Cage) brothers one the kleptomaniac Alvin & the constantly lying Dave are realised from a NYC prison before Christmas, Bill's holiday season is soon turned upside down. Dave & Alvin inform Bill and their mother about the city of Paradise, Pennsylvania were Sarah, the daughter of a "dying" inmate lives according to a letter wants reconciliation before Christmas. Bill of course doesn't by one bit of the letter but when he is tricked into running from the law in New York City, the brothers head straight for Paradise, Pennsylvania.

Upon arriving in the small town Bill quickly figures out why his brothers have dragged him to Paradise. The towns bank has hardly any form of security and with the sudden arrival of a large shipment of money, Bill descried to help out in robbing the bank. After successfully pulling off their heist, a sudden winter blizzard then traps the brothers in the town. Upon receiving the towns hospitality Bill feels morally torn after dining with the Bank Managers family. It's just too bad an escaped criminal & the Federal Authorities are after the brothers.

THOUGHTS: Much like 50% of Christmas films, being generic is almost traditional as receiving and giving gifts on Christmas Day. Aside for this short coming this lesser known Nicolas Cage film dose hold the viewers attention over its run time. Aside for the slightly irritating voice of the character Alvin (feel free to insert an ALIVN & THE CHIPMUNKS reference here) Good performances, solid direction, a fairly engaging story, and nice photography make this film s a decent holiday movie. Yes its average, yes it's Generic and yes it's sentimental but besides thank god it's entertaining to say the least. At least it won't make the view scream Bah Humbug at the end of it, which is why it gets a decent 60% from me.

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHIRSTMAS.

FROM PETER H.