Fatal Vacation (1990)

Fatal Vacation (1990)
Member Rating:  
This outrageous jungle-set actioner from Hong Kong filmmaker Eric Tsang brings to mind such campy spectacles as Ernst von Theumer's cult favorite Jungle Warriors in its straight-faced melding of naive politics and ludicrously unconvincing gunplay. Taking place in 1985, the film posits a group of vacationers from Hong Kong whose bus is hijacked by Communist guerrillas in the Philippines. This hijacking sets the stage for rape, mayhem, and a sadistic Deer Hunter-style game of Russian roulette before the tourist group (which conveniently happens to include some triad gangsters who know their way around firearms) stages a bloody and extremely loud escape. Throughout the film, Tsang (who also stars) and screenwriter Nam Yin attempt to make their Communist insurgents into some sort of allegorical representation of the mainland Chinese. To their credit, Tsang and Nam lay out a convincingly horrific series of dire consequences which could result from Hong Kong's impending reunification, but the political message is lost amidst all the gunfire, racist stereotypes, and Times Square grindhouse-level silliness. Irene Wan co-stars with Tang Pik-wan, Tommy Wong, Victor Wong, and Emily Kwan. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

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Director(s):
Eric Tsang
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Fatal Vacation

This outrageous jungle-set actioner from Hong Kong filmmaker Eric Tsang brings to mind such campy spectacles as Ernst von Theumer's cult favorite Jungle Warriors in its straight-faced melding of naive politics and ludicrously unconvincing gunplay. Taking place in 1985, the film posits a group of vacationers from Hong Kong whose bus is hijacked by Communist guerrillas in the Philippines. This hijacking sets the stage for rape, mayhem, and a sadistic Deer Hunter-style game of Russian roulette before the tourist group (which conveniently happens to include some triad gangsters who know their way around firearms) stages a bloody and extremely loud escape. Throughout the film, Tsang (who also stars) and screenwriter Nam Yin attempt to make their Communist insurgents into some sort of allegorical representation of the mainland Chinese. To their credit, Tsang and Nam lay out a convincingly horrific series of dire consequences which could result from Hong Kong's impending reunification, but the political message is lost amidst all the gunfire, racist stereotypes, and Times Square grindhouse-level silliness. Irene Wan co-stars with Tang Pik-wan, Tommy Wong, Victor Wong, and Emily Kwan. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
94 mins

Complete Cast of Fatal Vacation


Director(s):
Eric Tsang
Writer(s):
Nam Yin
Categories:
Action / Adventure
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Member Reviews
 
Anthony D.

I found this to be a surprisingly entertaining movie. Tony D.

Yes   |   No

 
Matt F.

It's suprizingly funny and the gun play is like something out of a Hong Kong John Woo film. I didn't feel for all the charicters and all my favorite ones got wasted. Good stuff. -Stone

Yes   |   No

 
Michael K.

At least the first half hour is pure comedic setup, as a cross-section of HK society takes a group tour in the Philippines. The characters are sketched in broad, efficient strokes. Then all hell breaks loose. Characters fight and die in absurdly heroic ways. Features a cast of excellent HK character actors. Since there are no big stars, almost anyone can be killed off in extremely brutal fashion at any time, which increases the suspense. In a way, the broadness of the movie is a blessing. Fatal Vacation would be unbearably tense if it were realistic. As it is, Fatal Vacation is immensely entertaining. Highly recommended.

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