Island Fever 3

Adult films have long been considered - with valid reason - to be the bottom of the barrel when it came to the cinematic arts. Even if one ignores the stilted acting, forgettable characterization and uninspired storytelling which often dominated porn features from the last thirty years, a major problem with the vast majority of porn is that it simply looked like crap. Cheap film stock, poor productions values, and amateurish direction made event the most classic adult films (such as TABOO, DEEP THROAT, INSATIABLE and CATWOMAN) barely competitive with Grade Z Hollywood product.

However, talented filmmakers like Andrew Blake (DESIRE and LES FEMMES EROTIQUES), Cameron Grant (THE DINNER PARTY and ELEMENTS OF DESIRE) and John Stagliano (WILD GOOSE CHASE and the FACE DANCE) have crafted films where the erotic visuals are as dazzling as the hardcore content. Arguably, any proficient gonzo director with a camera can shoot a close-up of a butt-pounding anal scene, but how may can shoot a gorgeous, blue-tinted profile of Tori Welles sucking on Peter North and make it look like a work of art?

All of this brings me to Digital Playground's ISLAND FEVER 3. Like the starlets which grace this main feature, this video is almost too good looking to called porn. Those who are conditioned to react to cheap and cheesy high definition camera-work will be stunned to see what a visionary like Joone does with this title. Shot on location in Bora Bora and Tahiti, ISLAND FEVER 3 serves up present-day Vivid Girl Tera Patrick along with fellow Digital Playground playmates Jesse Jane and Devon in outdoor settings which are almost as eye-batting as the girls themselves. Though Tera's scene is limited to a solo masturbation followed by a straight scene with Barrett Blade (who has directed more than his fair share of flicks for the studio), viewers are treated to the two busty blondes basking in each others company amidst the sun and shore. In fact, their lesbian pairing feeds this FEVER to a rousing start. Porn historians will want to note that this is one of Jesse's earliest sex scenes as a contract girl, and she proves herself to be passionate performer with Devon. Of course, Jesse would later gain more confidence and expertise on-camera in the last two to three years, but I think few would complain over seeing two golden girls sharing their private parts.

Devon is then seen in the company of Evan Stone on a hilltop overlooking the water. The very lucky Mr. Stone gets to grope and get blown by this hottie in a physically impressive suck and fuck which eventually leads to him creating a mess on her face. Even after shooting his load, Mr. Stone still can't seem to get enough of Devon, and later on he juices up again for a second outing, this time banging her between a rock and his hard place. I can't imagine that doing the deed against something which is considerably less comfortable than an orthopedic mattress would be all the pleasurable, but hey, I'd swim in a pool of lava on the planet Mustafar if it meant having Devon all over me.

Tera's affair with Barrett is next, followed by Jesse Jane getting it on with Eric Masterson, and eventually concluding with Miss Jane giving Evan Stone his third orgasmic thrill in the movie. (Again: lucky, lucky bastard!). It's obvious that a big element of these otherwise straightforward sex scenes have to do with the environment. That's not to say that the sexual practices are anything less than explicit and arousing, but some may not have patience for a video which doesn't look like low-budget gonzo and where slow motion techniques are liberally applied. Fans of erotic artists like Andrew Blake and Michael Ninn will certainly appreciate the direction and videography which flatter the heavenly bodies of female talent women, and emphasize the graceful, almost fantasy-like, sexual positions. I for one am glad to see a title which emphasizes visual aesthetics as well as physical action.

Speaking of visuals, this is the third Blu-ray adult disc I've ever had the opportunity to review, and the second from Digital Playground to dazzle me. If you are still wondering whether adult material benefits from a high definition production, then this disc should convince you why a better format means a better viewing experience. The picture may not match up to the best Hollywood standards, but let me assure you that porn has never looked so good. I haven't had the chance to review the original DVD release of ISLAND FEVER 3, but I did see the follow-up (titled, naturally, ISLAND FEVER 4) and was floored by its standard definition image. Well, this Blu-ray looks even appreciably better and is well-worth the upgrade. I've already requested first dibs on the Blu-ray version of ISLAND FEVER 4, which assuming it meets up to its predecessor, should earn yet another rave from this reviewer.

Bonus features include a commentary, behind the scenes featurette, a text biography of the major stars, and a photo gallery. To my understanding, no major extras from the original DVD were left out of the disc, which is great to a collector like me. (It really gets my panties in a knot when a Blu-ray title leaves out materials found in the standard definition release.) Again, I can't say that everyone will appreciate the kind of erotica found in this movie, but I can guarantee a good and good-looking time for all no matter how "rough" you like your porn.

The first Island Fever showcased Tera Patrick. Island Fever 2 gave us Devon and Tera. Now, for the third installment, Digital Playground has tripled the fun by adding Contract Girl Jesse Jane into the mix. The result is Island Fever 3, a visually stunning production that is Digital Playground's first movie shot with HD cameras (although, sadly, Digital Playground no longer offers the HD Windows Media disc with this release...although it is now available in HD DVD, should you want to buy that version).

Directed by Joone, with some of the camerawork being done by Robby D., the film is presented in glorious 16x9 anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound (2.0 Dolby is also an option). The standard DVD benefits from the movie being shot in HD. The colors jump out at you and the sharpness of the picture matches the best of the best that you'll find in any mainstream release.

Shot in Tahiti and Bora Bora, Island Fever 3 begins with a girl/girl scene between Devon and Jesse Jane on the beach. This is the first time these two girls have shot a scene together, and it's a nice one - as Jesse performs some oral on Devon and then is on the receiving end as Devon fingers and licks Jesse out.

Next, Devon joins Evan Stone on a hill overlooking the water for some sexual action. Evan stands behind her, reaches around and rubs her clit - and then Devon lowers herself in front of him to give him a blowjob. Standing up again, Devon positions herself over a reclining Evan so that he can lick her pussy from underneath. The two then engage in some standing doggy, and things conclude with Evan jerking off onto her face with an impressive load.

In what will be her final scene released by Digital Playground (since she's no longer a Contract Girl), we join Tera Patrick in the desert for some solo masturbation, followed by a coupling with Barrett Blade. After some mutual oral action for a warm-up, Barrett gives it to Tera missionary and spoon style before shooting his load onto her tongue and face.

Shot in about a foot or two of water on the edge of the beach, Jesse Jane drops to her knees to suck Eric Masterson. She then faces away from him and Eric holds her right leg up in the air so he can give her some standing doggy. He also pounds her some more in basically the same position, but with Jesse's legs both firmly planted and leaning more away from him. The pop-shot here is another nice one, as Eric spews onto her tongue.

Eric's back for the next scene, this time teaming with Devon. Up against a large rock, he gives it to her in the standing doggy position, and then allows her to mount him reverse cowgirl. He also brings Devon's beautiful tits into play by cumming all over them and letting her use his cock to spread the goo around on her chest.

Near a waterfall, Jesse meets up with Evan Stone for a very nicely-filmed sequence. Evan holds Jesse's left leg up for standing doggy, and later in the scene, the two move directly under the waterfall for some more doggy in the standing position. The climax has Evan shooting onto Jesse's tongue and chin.

In Devon's final scene in Island Fever 3, she joins Eric Masterson for a second rendezvous - this time pairing up in some shallow water next to the end of a large, fallen tree. After getting some head from Devon, Eric props her up on the trunk of the tree, so he can spread her legs and lick her out. Lowering her back down, he gives her standing doggy from behind - first holding one of her legs up in the air, then allowing her to have both feet on the ground, but pulling her hands back and arching her back for some deep penetration. The scene ends with Eric once again jerking onto her chest.

Jesse gets to close out Island Fever 3 by teaming once again with Evan Stone. Before Evan arrives, however, there's a very neat solo segment in which Jesse is covered with mud, and there's a little camera trick (the video is running in reverse) so it looks like the mud is shooting up off of Jesse's body and back onto her hands. The scene with Evan takes place in a beautiful location overlooking the water and beach, and Jesse gets both standing doggy and reverse cowgirl before Evan squirts onto her tits.

In addition to the exceptional video and audio presentation that this release provides, the bonus features are also put together well. There's an entertaining Audio Commentary Track with stars Jesse Jane, Devon, Eric Masterson, Evan Stone and cameraman Robby D. that offers both a lot of laughs and a lot of insight into the movie. The DVD also contains a 34-minute Behind The Scenes featurette that has been shot in a style similar to one of Digital Playground's Jack's Playground releases. Nothing too serious here, just porn stars having a lot of fun as they shoot on location. Evan Stone, in particular, is the highlight of both the Commentary Track and the Behind The Scenes material.

Also on the DVD are a ton of Digital Playground Trailers - including the one for Island Fever 3, which is also presented anamorphically. There's also a photo gallery (which can be watched automatically or manually), text biographies for both Jesse Jane and Devon, plus some company contact information.

It's obvious that a lot of time and effort goes into the Island Fever titles, and the third volume is no exception. Fans of the first two in this series won't be disappointed with Island Fever 3, and it's a worthy addition to any porn connoisseur's collection.