One of the major breakouts this year at Sundance to receive a prominent distribution, Land Ho! follows two retired friends and former brothers-in-law on a road trip around scenic Iceland. As far as plot goes, that’s about all you need to know. It’s a buddy comedy, a road trip movie, and a travelogue, all wrapped into one unconventionally simple product.

We’re introduced to our two characters, Mitch and Colin (Earl Lynn Nelson and Paul Eenhoorn respectively), as clear opposites: Mitch is the loud, raunchy Southerner, and Colin is the quiet, reserved Australian. The first third of the movie is brutally slow. For some reason, primarily due to the pacing and lack of immediate presence, it takes an unusual amount of time for us to adjust to the characters and also for them to really get going. Because this movie isn’t a laugh-out-loud comedy, there is an adjustment time to enjoy the tone that the movie takes, which doesn’t click until about a third of the way through. I initially feared that, like a similar film called The Trip, the two characters’ banter would reach tedium. It does take our protagonists a long time to really get going, and the introduction of two side characters (played by Elizabeth McKee and Karrie Crouse) doesn’t feel as natural as the movie intends.

Fortunately, after about 30 minutes when the film has established itself, the movie becomes bliss. Watching characters that we now feel we have a good sense of taking on some of the most spectacular scenery is a simple delight. Mitch and Colin might be two old men, but their interactions are reminiscent of any experience with a good friend, a natural blend of playful and serious.

Most often, movies get off to a great start and then find themselves fizzling toward the end because they don’t know how to build off the concept; Land Ho! has the opposite issue.

Of course, the real delight of the film is seeing the wonderful country of Iceland: I would be hard pressed to find someone who could watch this movie and not want to take the same trip. It’s a natural wonder full of prehistoric looking mountains, black sandy beaches, and magnificent glaciers. Water plays a prominent visual role throughout the film, and there is no shortage here. The film does great justice to the beautiful water-locked country as somewhere wholly unique to take a journey.

The soundtrack is a modern 80’s homage with a few lyrical delights. There are times where its juxtaposition is a little jarring and could use a smoother transition, but as a score, it ends up being the perfect backdrop to the gorgeous Icelandic scenery.

Most often, movies get off to a great start and then find themselves fizzling toward the end because they don’t know how to build off the concept; Land Ho! has the opposite issue. Because the premise is so simple, it takes a longer nudge to get the ball rolling. But once it does, the film feels comfortable and satisfying to watch unravel until the very last shot. It’s a rare case where it actually ends with you wanting more, but like any seasoned traveler, Land Ho! does not overstay its welcome. It recognizes the scale of the project and seeks nothing more than to provide a charming and fun trip for an audience to join in on, of which I was more than happy to oblige.