Full Disclosure: I'll watch anything about Hawaii, including 50 First Dates, Lilo and Stitch, and Blue Crush (but not Hawaii 5-0), and I went into this movie well aware of the IMDb drama, trolling, and hysteria. Emma Stone blah blah blah, No real Asians blah blah blah, even some chat board criticism from some who admitted not having even seen the movie or that devolved into racist and religious abuse--seriously, are there no moderators on this site at all??? So wife and I watched with heightened awareness if not pre-loaded outrage, and found this movie altogether unobjectionable and appealing. Did all the critics miss all the scenes full of Hawaiians playing "himself"?? Did they miss Stone's earnest and respectful (if a bit fawning) approach to pre-colonial people and culture. The music, the dance, the irredentism??? So its not Dances with Wolves, but its no ethnic outrage either. And on its own terms as a complicated rom-com love quadrangle about two very appealing actresses and two studly but flawed men, we found it enjoyable and reasonably believable. I did find the final scene at the dance studio a bit creepy: I guess little girls grow up awfully fast now, but that's going to make for some awkward conversations with Mom and Dad. Good thing Dad comes equipped with subtitles. Go or don't go, but don't be swayed by the hysterical static. I'm buying the DVD to add to my Hawaii collection.
Review of Aloha
