Return to the Blue Lagoon
Directed by William A. Graham
- adventure
- drama
The story
In this sequel to the 1980 classic, two children are stranded on a beautiful island in the South Pacific. With no adults to guide them, the two make a simple life together and eventually become tanned teenagers in love.
What it’s like
Bright, sun-saturated tropical light over turquoise water and white sand, with the lagoon's clear blue dominating nearly every frame. The camera tends toward wide, open shots of empty beaches, palm fronds and sea, with a gentle, unhurried pace that lets long stretches of daily island life, fishing, climbing and swimming, unfold without urgency. The score is soft and melodic, leaning on warm orchestral swells and pop-leaning cues, and the overall palette is saturated and sunny, with a hazy 1990s film look. The vibe is dreamy and wistful, with an undercurrent of loneliness from its premise of abandonment. Intensity is low: there is no real violence or gore, though there are some sensual moments between the teenage leads and the abandonment backstory carries an emotional sadness. Best for a lazy afternoon or a nostalgic watch, for viewers who want tropical escapism with a gentle, melancholic edge and don't mind a slow, romantic-tinged coming-of-age story.
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