We've talked before about the classic Hollywood pitch, which has almost become a cliche. The pitch has the writer summarizing the story by presenting it as the combination of two other successful or well-received movies. For example, the script which I'm currently shopping is like "Clerks meets Poltergeist". See how that works. This method is especially useful when offering a story which plays like a hybrid, not only of stories, but of genres. I was definitely picturing a classic pitch which watching Retreat, a film which wears it influences on its sleeve.

Retreat introduces us to Martin (Cillian Murphy) and Kate (Thandie Newton), a couple who are on a vacation. They have chosen to visit secluded Blackholme Island -- a place they have gone to years before. Other than one house, the island is deserted and it can only be reached via boat. Once on the island, the couple must use a CB to communicate with Doug (Jimmy Yuill), the house's owner. Martin and Kate settle in, but it's obvious that something weighs heavy on Kate's mind, as she doesn't look happy and doesn't want to get involved in anything which Martin suggests. This awkward holiday turns tense when Kate spots a man outside. Martin brings Jack (Jamie Bell) inside and lays the bloody, unconscious man on the sofa. When Jack awakens, he explains that his boat crashed on the rocks surrounding the island and that he was fleeing something which is threatening the outside world. Kate immediately distrusts Jack, but his story is compelling. Trapped on the island, Martin and Kate must decide if Jack is their savior or insane.

In the late 80s and early 90s, the most popular joke about Hollywood pitches, which was actually based in fact, was that movies were "Die Hard in/on a ____".

(I'm still waiting on "Die Hard in a balloon".) Well, it's no joke to say that Retreat can easily be summarized at "Dead Calm in a house". Whereas Phillip Noyce's 1989 thriller took place on a boat, Retreat tweaks this formula by having the couple take a boat to the island where they will find themselves involved in an uncomfortable trio. The film hits all of the stereotypical notes with this storyline. Jack shows up seemingly in need of help, spins a strange story, and then slowly comes unraveled. He aligns himself with Martin while making passes at Kate. It's almost as if Director Carl Tibbets and co-writer Janice Hallett took as many pages out of the Dead Calm playbook as possible.

But, Tibbetts and Hallett then do us and themselves a favor by throwing a novel twist into the film, which takes it into science-fiction or at the least, tehcno-thriller territory. I won't give it away here, but suffice it to say that Jack's predicament isn't the typical on-the-run from the law or the mob sort of thing. In these situations, the Jack character will talk about something shocking, but not that out of the ordinary. Jack's story is fantastic, and thus his credibility and his sanity is immediately called into question. This also immediately creates a rift between Martin and Kate, as each views the story in their own way. This plot device works well for this sort of film, but astute viewers will note that this story has been very popular in recent years, and no, it's not zombies.

The problem with Retreat is that, despite a unique twist, it spends too much time in cliched territory and eventually gets bogged down in it. There are simply too many moments where the viewer will be talking to the screen, saying things like "Don't let him in!" or "Get the gun!" or "He's not really dead!" (Or my favorite, "Why won't anyone wipe the blood off of his head?") Obviously, there are many moments here that we've all seen before. I must say that the final scene was shocking, but even it is a tribute to a classic horror film. To its credit, Retreat makes nice use of its location and the acting is top-notch, especially from Murphy. But, the movie simply can't rise above its inspirations and it ultimately feels like imitation went on vacation.

Retreat gives me further proof that deserted island vacations are a bad idea on DVD courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The film has been letterboxed at 2.35:1 and the transfer is enhanced for 16 x 9 TVs. The image is sharp and clear, showing no distracting grain and no defects from the source material. The image is a tad dark, but the colors look fine and realistic. The image is never soft, but there is some very mild artifacting. The DVD carries a Dolby Digital 5.1 track which provides clear dialogue and sound effects. The track provides nice surround and stereo effects. As most of the film takes place in the house, the track does a fine job of illustrating sounds coming from off-screen or other parts of the house, often behind us. Gunshots bring the subwoofer in on the action.

The Retreat DVD contains only two extras. "Retreat: The Making of" (16 minutes) offers interviews with the filmmakers who talk about how the production came about. The cast appears here as well, discussing their characters, what drew them to the movie, and the shoot. There is also a look at the location and the house. The other extra is a PHOTO GALLERY.