Review of Australia (2008) by Thomas . — 17 Apr 2011
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman star in this epic WWII drama action adventure sleeper as two people from different worlds sent on a mission in Australia to send a large herd of cattle towards better pastures to protect her inherited land from a political takeover, meanwhile getting caught in the middle of Japan's bombings.
At a length of over 2 1/2 hours, it is mostly unfortunate that Kidman's lovely and highly energetic performance, Jackman's stout and strong portrayal of an Australian herdsman, and Baz Lurhmann's stunning direction and choreography are bogged down by a plot that simply is not as interesting as the movie's surprisingly intense and impressive production values try so hard for it to be.
Simply put, the film is a technical marvel, rivaling and perhaps even beating your typical Jerry Bruckheimer big-budget blockbusters as its spectacularly choreographed scenes, epic landscapes and war shots, charming and comedic fast-paced almost comic-book styled directed opening get the viewer pumped for something that they hope will leave them breathless.
.. which despite its best efforts, simply doesn't. Yet the spot-on performances of both Kidman and Jackman (mostly Kidman, putting on perhaps one of her most inspired portrayals ever as the no-nonsense spoiled-turn-rugged wealthy aristocrat), good pacing, and beautiful scenery leading up to the mostly heartwarming and action-packed climactic ending are enough to make you forgive the fact that overall this did not live up to its full potential script-wise.
.. but you appreciate how hard it works to try and get there. The good news is that the film never overdoes anything, such as the romance between the two protagonists, the few underdramatized death scenes, and racial segregation themes - this is also a negative as you want to love the two heroes more than you do as well as hate the villain who really isn't hate-able enough.
Watch it for its great opening and closing, I just wish some of the fat in the mid-section could've been cut.
This review of Australia (2008) was written by Thomas . on 17 Apr 2011.
Australia has generally received positive reviews.
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