Review of Australia (2008) by Shirley A — 06 Nov 2010

While very much a bad title for such a wonderful film, this one starts strange but ends up glorious.

Hugh Jackson almost looks like Gregory Peck. Does a very fine job (almost Eastwood like).

The story revolves around a native Australian boy who's grandfather despises white men (no surprise). The grandfather speakes to the boy over vast distances, and there is the sci-fi part of this film.

You have to accept a little bull when the boy and grandfather correspond over great distances. Plus, the boy has extraordinary powers over the wind, cattle, and other things.

The bond that grows between the boy and the proper Englishwomen is throughout the film. The cattle driver who directs there amature drive north to Darwan is Hugh Jackman.

There are serious flaws in this plot as we are to belive, once again, that a ragtag bunch of cowboys can drive a herd north to anyware.

This plot was tried numerous times. In The Cowboys, John Wayne got a bunch of kids to drive a herd north to somewhere.

That said, the cinematography and acting is first rate. Well worth watching once. A bit long, it is visually stunning.

The ending is a robust WWII Japanese attack on Darwin, following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942. Outstanding sets and a tearfull reunion of boy, Englishwoman and Australian cowboy.

I liked the film, and while I wouldn't watch it twice, it is worth a watch as it really is an epic.... far above many films you will watch.