"The Emerald Forest": A Trip Worth Taking (but bring bug spray!)

Okay, so I finally got around to watching "The Emerald Forest" (1985) and, wow, it was definitely an experience. I knew practically nothing going in, except that Sean Connery's son, Jason, was in it. The premise is wild - engineer Bill Markham searches for his son who disappeared in the Amazon rainforest ten years prior, and finds him living with an indigenous tribe. Honestly, the whole concept just grabbed me by the eyeballs! Visually, the movie is stunning. The rainforest scenes felt so raw and immersive. I was genuinely impressed (and a little itchy!). The contrast between Bill's "civilized" world and Tommy's (now Tomé) life with the Invisible People was jarring, but that's the point, right? The tribal customs and rituals felt both alien and beautiful. I'm not sure how authentic they were, tbh, but they were compelling. I especially liked the scene where Tomé performs the initiation ritual. Talk about a coming-of-age story! Jason Connery does a decent job as Tomé, though at times his delivery felt a little stiff. Powers Boothe as Bill Markham, though... he really sold the desperate father angle. His desperation felt so real. There were a few moments where the story felt a little preachy, maybe a little too on-the-nose about environmentalism and the dangers of industrialization. But it didn't totally derail the film for me. I was hooked. Overall, I'd say "The Emerald Forest" is worth watching if you're looking for something different. It's not a perfect movie, but it's definitely a memorable one. Just be prepared for some intense visuals and a healthy dose of 80s cheesiness! And maybe keep some bug spray handy... just in case.