Plot Summary
May Landis knows there’s a coin hidden somewhere on her property, and she spends her life looking for it, much to the chagrin of her husband, Henry. However, one day, May is sure she has found it, but she pays for it dearly. Henry is sent into depression and drinking following his wife’s untimely death and is reluctant to take in his granddaughter Emily when she comes to live with him to go to college, but he agrees if she will take care of May’s horse Lucky. Then Emily starts searching for the coin, even though there are also ‘bad guys’ searching for it. Will they ever be able to find it in time?
Production Quality (1 point)
When compared to his past projects, Saving Winston and Camp Harlow, Shane Hawks’ production quality has somewhat increased. However, the production of this film is still not up to industry standard. Video quality and camera work are professional, but audio quality is lacking, especially in outside scenes. The soundtrack is also very stock. There are too many musical montages that waste time. However, sets and locations are clearly given thought. Yet editing is almost nonexistent as lots of useless content is included. In the end, though Lucky’s Treasure looks better than past films, it’s still not there yet.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
If you could think of the most stereotypical and juvenile plot premise that involves a horse, a girl, a ranch hand, a treasure, and some ridiculous villains, then it would be Lucky’s Treasure. Though it is Shane Hawks’ most complex plot (not saying much), its presentation is very disingenuous and lackadaisical. Time is spent on the most childish things, like the cheesiest high school college romance since Barbie and Ken. Every character fits into the most plastic mold you can think of—dialogue (the parts you can understand) sounds like it’s been bought from a stock dialogue company. Things happen because they need to as time is filled with montages, romance stuff, activities of daily living, vague treasure hunt concepts, and lectures on French history. With no real direction or purpose, Lucky’s Treasure (the horse is actually fairly insignificant) meanders along a predictable progression until time runs out. Basically, this storyline is so stereotypical and stock that it in no way warrants creation.
Acting Quality (0 points)
With perhaps the most thrown-together cast ever, Lucky’s Treasure just keeps getting better and better. The cast members post very awkward and unsure performances. Some lines are mumbled while others seem phoned in. Some are overplayed while others are underplayed. The costuming is also atrocious. Unfortunately, it’s hard to believe that any time was spent on this portion.
Conclusion
It’s noble that Shane Hawks and his team want to keep making movies. They have the rare opportunity to do something great with the resources and platform they have been provided. But they are utterly wasting it. Our advice at this point for Hawks and company would be to stop trying to write plots and focus on directing and producing. Find a better writer and get some help with your casting and coaching. At the very least, do the best you can with what you have, because this is by far not the best you can do.
Final Rating: 1 out of 10 points
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