Finding Ohana
We just have to go through..
The Jaws of Death.
That sounds inviting
Pili, Ioane, and Casper
Summary:
After their grandfather gets sick two siblings from Brooklyn go to O’ahu for the summer much to their dismay. While there the younger sister Pili discovers a journal that gives directions to a lost Spanish treasure. Pili’s grandfather takes Pili to show her where the treasure is but falls and gets hurt resulting in him having to be sent to the hospital. Upon hearing that her grandfather is in financial trouble and finding out that it would result in her family moving back to Hawaii she decides to set off with her brother Ioane and the two friends they made Hana and Casper to seek out this lost treasure and learn more about their Hawaiian heritage.
Characters:
Finding Ohana has 4 main characters that work together to try and uncover the treasure. Pili, played by Kea Peahu, is an adventurous young girl who loves using her mind to find things. She is drawn to stories and legends. Ioane, played by Alex Aiono, is Pili’s older brother. He is much more of a city kid than Pili, but he is loyal and hardworking when push comes to shove. Casper, played by Owen Vaccaro, is a friend Pili makes on the island. He is more fearful than Pili, but he knows a lot more about Hawaiian culture and the island than she does. Casper becomes Pili’s sidekick. Hana, played by Lindsay Watson, is the smartest of the 4. She is an incredibly talented musician and she proves to be very resourceful. Her fears do take hold, but she works past them.
Nathanyal: 9.0/10
Finding Ohana was a great movie. It was super fun, had some great plot, wonderful characters, and great comedic moments. Although it was a comedy, it also featured some great scenes to develop themes of family and unity. The dialogue in this movie was also hilarious, as the slang filled speech of the New York residents was spoken against the native Hawaiians was great to hear the clash in speech patterns.
With the general things out of the way, let’s get into specifics. Written as a comedy, there were many great scenes that encapsulated this feeling; from the witty dialogue to some questionable dance moves, this movie had it all. It also featured loveable characters that you were able to love and enjoy. Although some of their development might have been easy to predict, it was still enjoyable to see them interact. The plot was also really fun, as it featured an adventure found in the likes of Indiana Jones. It also had a satisfying resolution and had moments to demonstrate themes of family. It also featured some wonderful cameos that brought a smile to my face.
The only real downside of this movie is that the comedy might not be for everyone. There were times where I cringed at some of the dialogue or some of the actions of the characters. These may turn some viewers away, but there weren’t too many of these situations for me.
Overall, I definitely recommend this movie. It’s even more fun to watch in a group, as it’s fun to laugh together, and you can cringe together.
Sebastian: 8.9/10
This movie is a fun adventure film that is definitely inspired by some classic films but takes its own approach with its emphasis on family and the Hawaiian culture. Personally, I love a good treasure hunt movie and this provides all the elements you come to expect with an adventure that changes our characters and teaches them a lesson along the way. All four of the kids/teenage actors in this film do a great job as they all bounce off each other quite well and are also quite comedic. For anyone familiar with the Indiana Jones films or The Goonies this film definitely has that type of atmosphere and tone. This film’s big strength is its message about family and heritage and it’s really cool to see the Hawaiian culture on display. Another thing I liked about the movie is there is no villain and it instead just focuses on the treasure hunt and the bond that these characters form. The way in which our characters develop throughout the story feels natural and they learn some valuable lessons that help them be closer to their family. The film also has a pretty funny way in which they describe events from the past that had me laughing each time they did it.The Hawaiian landscape is also beautiful and they have many shots throughout the film that emphasize the natural wonder of O’ahu. This definitely fits that family adventure that is something the whole family can enjoy which gives you some laughs and a happy ending.
All in all, this is a great family-friendly movie that I enjoyed and would highly recommend to anyone looking on Netflix for that adventure/treasure hunt style movie.
Austin: 8.7/10
Finding Ohana is great. For those of you who have seen Indiana Jones and Journey to the Center of the Earth, this feels like a cross between them. It has that adventure feel to it, but it also scales back certain aspects to keep the movie within that “PG” rating. The characters are awesome, both the writing and the acting. They keep the movie light and fun, but their development draws your emotions. I think my favorite part of this movie has to be the plot. It’s fun, entertaining, and comedic for the entire 2 hours, and it is a great movie to watch with any audience. It has moments that are going to be enjoyed by literally anyone, and then other moments that might fly over a younger audience’s head.
The story within the story is also really good, and the cameos are hilarious. The little things in this movie, like the cameos or the implementation of certain traditions and lore, makes this movie so much better than it might have been. The ending is surprising, and the movie had me guessing which events were real and which ones were fiction.
Anyway, you look at this, Finding Ohana is one of the best movies we have gotten from Netflix in 2021. I would have loved some smoother dialogue, but everything else was really well written. This movie is super easy to watch, it’s enjoyable, and a sequel would be awesome. I’ve always loved movies that base themselves in lore or legend, and this scratches that itch. Definitely one worth checking at with the fam, or even some friends if you are looking for a feel-good movie with some laughs.
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