By Jaelynn Shelton – Staff Reporter

The horror movie “Fantasy Island” was released on February 14. The movie initially starts off with five strangers being invited to an island that will supposedly allow their fantasies to come true. What they don’t realize is that their fantasies aren’t planned out exactly how they dreamed. 

The movie features many well known actors such as Lucy Hale, Micheal Pena, Maggie Q, Jimmy O. Yang, Austin Stowell, and Ryan Hansen. 

Michael Pena plays the role of Mr. Roarke, who is in charge of making the visitors’ fantasies come true. Mr. Roarke reveals that he’s made a deal with the island, and if he were to ever leave the island, the deal would be done. What the visitors don’t realize is that he would do almost anything to hold the part of his deal.

Lucy Hale plays as one of the visitors, Melanie Cole. Melanie’s fantasy is somewhat disturbing, as she plays an emotionally scarred girl who was bullied in high school. The trauma of her high school years led her fantasy to revolve all around her previous bully. She wanted revenge, but what she didn’t realize was the extent of the fantasy – or so we thought.

Maggie Q. plays Gwen Olsen. Gwen has the fantasy of wanting to have changed a past decision, which was to say yes to a marriage proposal from her long term ex-boyfriend.

Austin Stowell plays Patrick Sullivan, whose fantasy was to be able to be in the military. The island brings a little extra spice to his fantasy, as he sees someone important from his past.

Finally Jimmy O. Yang and Ryan Hansen play Brax and J.D. Weaver. Brothers’ fantasy was to party and live the life. They also didn’t realize that like everyone else’s fantasy there would be a twist. 

The end of the movie gives a sense of happiness, as tragic heroes and new views of life are exposed to both the visitors and workers of the magical Fantasy Island. 

The special effects and plot of this film were extremely strong. The actors in this film played very convincing roles that caught the audience’s eye. The only negative is the movie is not as scary as some might have predicted and placing it in the horror genre was an oversell.