The Real Cancun Movie Review:


The white sandy beaches, the crystal clear water of the Caribbean, the bright striking sun…the half-naked (sometimes naked) bodies, the flowing
alcohol, the constant partying, the destination is Spring Break in Cancun, Mexico.

Riding off the surprise success of last fall’s movie hit "Jackass: The Movie," the producers of MTV’s The Real World (Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan
Murray) now deliver the supposed first reality feature film "The Real Cancun".

After doing a nationwide search at college campuses, the producers selected 16 beings, whose age range from late teens to early twenties, to go to Cancun for an all expense paid Spring Break. All they have to do is take the trip and let camera crews film every moment. By of course picking Cancun, the top partying spot for youngsters, the law of underage drinking in
the United States doesn’t exist in Mexico. The producers could not have shot this film with a bunch of cast members under the age of 21 at a place like
Panama City, FL.

So off to Cancun, Mexico heads a diverse group of 16. The film opens with the cast’s final interview tapes to give the audience a first glimpse at
the players of the game. The group are individuals from different backgrounds, and the producers know that by putting them all together that some will bond, others will clash, and for sure some unexpected moments will occur.

The cast includes two happy-go-lucky identical twins named Roxanne and Nicole from Texas Tech University, two childhood friends (David and Heidi)
who are best friends and nothing more. There is also an innocent 19-year old named Alan that has never sipped alcohol in his life, but that is about to
change. And the list goes on and on with a guy who has a girlfriend back home, another as a proclaimed ladies man, a model who isn’t actually in
college, etc.

The film was actually shot last March over 8 days, with the cast staying in one side of Cancun’s Baccara Hotel, with the crew and post-production
workers staying in the other half. Six camera crews followed the cast around 24-hours a day and the editors cut 500 hours of footage down into 90 minutes in less than a month.

With this being a feature film, the producers just let the cameras roll and don’t censor anything like they have to do with their shows on MTV. There is constant partying, cursing, nudity, and the cast is even filmed having sex a few times.

The film got finished so quick after shooting, mostly because the producers and director (DeOlimeira) focused on Alan’s life changing experience from never having a drink, to being a more confident party animal, but of course he is still the good kid. With so much focus going towards Alan in the second half of the film, the audience virtually doesn’t see a handful of the cast for the rest of the film.

Reality TV has skyrocketed in the past few years with "Survivor," "The Bachelor" and "Joe Millionaire" taking over some of the prime time slots.
Bunim and Murray created "The Real World" 13 years ago for MTV. I was intrigued by their concept 10 years ago, but since I haven’t care much for
it. I will admit that I am a fan of "Jackass," because those goofy guys doing idiotic stuff is just humorous to me, which is also why I enjoy the
"Jackass" movie last fall.

Material like "The Real Cancun" has its own built-in audience, but to me it is mostly soap operish stuff. The film is just living off of the reality trend, and of course with an R-rated film version, you get to see more things that are cut out on MTV. Outside of "Jackass" I am not a fan of reality TV productions, and "The Real Cancun" is not a documentary, even though they could have probably made it one if they would have totally focused on one character like Alan. However, the concept of "The Real Cancun" is getting a bunch of people together that will create a few laughs, but more so make soap opera type of drama. Sure, just not my cup of tea. I will say that this film will do well with its fan-based audience.

By Joseph Tucker

Drunks, half-naked co-eds, hot sun and lots of alcohol. Hmmm, sounds like my college days. Well, almost.

In the reality-TV inspired feature film, "The Real Cancun", sixteen college students travel to the wilds of Cancun, Mexico during Spring Break. They flirt, hook-up, drop their inhibitions and drink heavily as cameramen film their every move. Can the reality formula translate to the silver-screen?

It is hard to understand, relate or feel for any of the students. This isn't the fault of the cameramen or the students being filmed. The thing at fault here is the whole idea of capturing reality in 90 minutes. You can't unless you are Jack Bauer on TV's "24" and even then its insane. Do you know not once Jack Bauer has had to take a bathroom break or eat for that matter? So much for a show in real-time. Just food for thought.

The crippling aspect of "Real Cancun" is the formula that the film is thrust into. It's like watching some stranger's "R-rated" home-movies. I just don't understand the thrill or have any memories to go with the experiences.

I could relate to the allure of Spring Break and the twenty-something angst of hooking up but it was hard because the barrier and atmosphere of a theatre just doesn't seem to fit with what's happening on screen. I kind of felt like one of those guys who sits in a booth with a roll of dollars and watches a stripper as a barrier is raised and lowered with every dollar. In other words, it is sleazy and uncomfortable.

If this film was shown during one of these twenty-something parties or there was some sort of on-campus screening then it could have been more successful. But just how many campuses want to watch a movie while attending a blow-out bash.

When I look back, "The Real Cancun" reminded me a lot of what a hot night club looks like when all the lights are turned on for the morning cleaning. A party after the fact isn't fun for even the most open-minded of people.

The film was a great experiment but that's about it.

(1.5 out of 5)

So Says the Soothsayer.

Dean Kish

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