Comments on: Movie Review: Australia (2008)

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 03:29:08 +0000

Going to see this movie would have to be one of the biggest wastes of time I have had recently. Fortunately I had free tickets! The story line had too many 'bits' to it and nothing in depth. Most of the acting was clearly seen as 'acting'. And the Boab tree should have been in the credits because it appeared in so many scenes. If it is hoped that tourists will want to come to Australia after seeing it … I don't think so!
It was wrongly named!

By: Belinda

Belinda — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:31:15 +0000

There are great defining moments about this movie but i felt like it was disjointed and the producer left it upon me to craft the story…at the end. I struggled to pick up the plot and when i did as i tried to appreciate the unique depiction of the characters like Brandon Walters Innocence and Nicole Kidman's beauty of course,i kept getting lost and had to start again. I felt like the movie ended three times!! Wasit the producer's failure to initiate a smooth continuation? Was it a love story? Yes, the bond love between Nicole kidman and Brandon walters was truly evident but i found Nicole and Hugh's relationship aloof and lacked intensity that would term this as a love story. Not a waste of time but i think Baz should have spent a little more time refining the movie.

By: Pavvy

Pavvy — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:16:28 +0000

@Mike: yeah I agree with you.

By: Dale

Dale — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:26:47 +0000

I loved this movie. Its big, bold and beautiful. A majestic story told with a beautiful backdrop. Baz Lurhman's style is always over the top, so we would be disappointed if this was anything less. Just enjoy it!

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:55:55 +0000

Went to see it with my wife. She loved it – but then she has the hots for Jackman. I tolerated it because I love her – even if I do play second fiddle to Hugh. Some movies you wish they'd never end. This one I THOUGHT never would. But then the last 20 minutes I spent squirming in my seat because I had to use the rest room. In retrospect, I shoulda gone. The time would have been better served. On a positive note – The popcorn was great.

By: Jeeves

Jeeves — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:07:11 +0000

Here's a helpful review for those who haven't seen it. If you enjoy watching "Friends" you'll like this. If you don't you'll hate it. For us Australians the last few months has been a bombardment of advertising for the movie and it's been hell. Australian tourism has been doing big tie-ins with the movie to bolster our tourism. But let's be honest, you either like the outback of Australia or think it looks like a hot dry hell. I go with the latter. What a horrible embarrassing film.

By: Urs Leuenberger

Urs Leuenberger — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:50:54 +0000

The title of this film, Australia, is very bold…because the land of Australia is vast…the nation and peole of Australia are controversial,… like any people, and are not universally loved.. SO the film is often seen as a promotion of the nation itself, and therefore many critics of the nation, Australia, also choose to automatically predjudice their reviews against this film aswell….Just get over the title!…just enjoy some great fun. I thoroughly loved it and recommend it!

By: P. Doelan

P. Doelan — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 09:44:02 +0000

I went to see Australia today, and thought it was a terrible film. I totally agree with the review. Overrated, and too long.

By: ginger smith

ginger smith — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 05:17:04 +0000

@Jo M: I agree, Nullah was gorgeous and a real talent. This movie will not appeal to cynical up their own bottoms types...I challenge the knockers to do better ! I saw it in the USA (and I am Aussie) the ausience loved it, expecially Nullah.

By: ginger smith

ginger smith — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 05:13:49 +0000

This is a great film. It's an epic, it's magnificent ! I challenge those who knock this film to go make one of your own. the amount of work that went into this , the wrting, editing acting is awsome..It is an old style movie, very entertaining and Brandon (Nullah) needs more than a pat on the back, he's delightful and thoroughly conving. It a very sweet fairy tale packed with eveything you want from a movie.

By: pete the bloke

pete the bloke — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 05:00:51 +0000

I saw this last night..and as an aussie it made me cringe a bit..it's a very grandiose name for a movie about a cattle station and how we whites ..well the previous generations..used to treat our aborigines (I'm sure that's Baz's major reason for making this..)..quite a few clichés..and it would appear quite a few in the movie were able to time travel..fun noticing the errors..but good to see the bade get it in the end ( must have been his overdone aussie accent that did it..)..the mystic aboriginal experience was interesting..the Darwin attack was bizarre..fires 2 days after the attack..the troops in their winter dress..in Darwin..all the officers with English accents..and the NCOS with overdone aussie ones..I guess this is how Baz thought it was….but even so I liked the music and the scenery..as well as the cinematography..and it sure didn't seem like 3 hours wasted to me..go see it and just enjoy it!

By: adu

adu — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 04:10:53 +0000

I love epics, but this movie just plain and simple sucks! I totally agree with Brad's review.

This doesn't deserve to make money and I hope it flops so no one attempts to make crap like this again.

In any case, I would love to see a good Alexander the Great movie. Oliver Stone totally ruined one of history's icons!

By: Trixie

Trixie — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 03:08:51 +0000

I don't understand all the negative vibes about this movie. What's that all about? Is it jealousy? Most people go to the movies to have a couple of hours of entertainment. I was completely entertained, in this case for nearly 3 hours. I enjoyed this movie more than I expected because I had read the unfavorable reviews.

By: Dr.Trevor

Dr.Trevor — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:09:02 +0000

Reviews and comments are predicated on the viewers life experiences and beliefs
as well as their responses to scenes that evoke emotional responses. i.e. Your view of this specific movie is all about you and less about the actual film.

Some people like boiled carp; others prefer baked halibut. The film 'Australia' provides a little of each. The attempt to mix comedy with drama, mysticism, wide screen
beauty and unbelieveable situations may have been designed to appeal to a broader type of audience with different intelligence levels. There was something for everyone. Overall, this film was a most dismal failure.

By: Jo M

Jo M — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:18:02 +0000

What rot! I absolutely loved Australia – and I encourage everyone to make up their own minds. What's wrong with an epic romance every now and then? I attended with 8 people and we all loved it. Sure it's no 21 Grams, Mystic River or Atonement (thank God). Each of these films were disjointed and depressing. At least with Australia you walk away feeling good and wanting more. Not too many films do that anymore. Oh – and you can learn a little about Australian history.

In terms of Awards, I think the young boy who played "Nulla" was exceptional.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:52:02 +0000

My lady and I saw this film today. She thought it was great; I believe it to be one of the worst I've ever viewed. Yes, the scenery was fantastic and the music was stirring
from time to time. It starts out as a romantic comedy, progresses to an unbelieveable 'western', and then mixes in shamanism and fantasy. yes, some of the effects were slick, but why would several planes break off from a formation to attack a island retreat when the radio house and antenna were ignored? Why, when a town is being abandoned and evacuated, would soldiers be shown spraying water on a pile of rubble? very little of this film was believeable or interesting. Save your money.

By: angel

angel — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:18:43 +0000

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I've heard that it is a movie in the old Hollywood style, epic and sweeping–a big, walloping romance. But I'm reading the negative reviews on this forum and then the positive ones and I'm thinking two things: 1. The way people view movies will always change over time, morphing as society and time change. Big epic Hollywood movies of the past years aren't the same as they are today. 2. The moral of this argument seems to be that everyone will just have to see the movie and judge it for him or her self. As much as I respect critics, I still think that their critiques are still opinions and will always have a certain amount of bias in them–that is just inherent. I plan to watch and enjoy.

By: hello

hello — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:58:07 +0000

I'm sorry but I've seen this movie and i think it is a total masterpiece. Truly every moment of my movie is sensational, I would go watch it again. The fact that you pointed out that it wasn't about a love story is what i think Luhrmann wanted to express. The love for his land and the history behind it.

By: Brad Brevet

Brad Brevet — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:24:12 +0000

@Julie Duell: Prepare to be amazed because it isn't going to be a huge success.

By: Judy Morse

Judy Morse — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:53:30 +0000

I loved every minute of it. I was frozen in my seat, completely captivated, and hated to have it end. I guess I'm not a professional critic, but I think I am common enough that many like me will find it a very entertaining couple of hours. Dont' let it pass you by.

By: Julie Duell

Julie Duell — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 12:09:05 +0000

In my view the film "Australia" is just wonderful and I will
be amazed if it isn't a huge success world-wide!
It's a film of epic proportions and has several layers.
It is pure entertainment, with a clever mix of sensitivity,
comedy, drama, and spectacular cinematography.

Some of the truths about the treatment of the aborigines
by the white population is addressed (but not laboured)
and is mingled with timelessness and spirituality of the
aboriginal perspective and their connectedness with this
incredible land.

It is a long 3 hour film but the last segment is so gripping that
it didn't drag at all for us. Don't miss it!!! It's a FEAST! Julie D.

By: candie

candie — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 06:21:06 +0000

Wow. If you don't like this movie, then you probably are more of book person or maybe a tv person? This is what "the movies" is all about. It was one of the best movies I've ever seen. And I'm a huge fan of great movies.. I even have my 2000 AFI list of the best 100 movies of all times here in my house somewhere. And I can tell you, without a doubt, this has made that list in my opinion. That is why whoever reads this, needs to see this film for themselves and not stay away from it just because of what a so called critic thinks. They can't tell you how to feel about a movie and this one willl evoke just that…feelings.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:51:20 +0000

What a load of cods wallop! Cliche after cliche, ad nausiem, for 144 minutes!

By: Damien

Damien — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 07:05:06 +0000

Well, I think Mr. Brevet is just being a little unfair to Baz…..its a feel good movie, at least give credit to it. Unlike the melodrams coming our way. Its not that bad…and trust me, I don't agree with the reviews at all. IMDB. is the best judge for me…..Watch it.
I bet atleast, Hugh wud be an option, besides, Kidman's presence

By: entertainmentodayandbeyond

entertainmentodayandbeyond — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:01:30 +0000

I agree the film is somewhat of a mess but I still really enjoyed it. Movies can be flawed and and still have tremendous merit. Tim Burton is proof of that. Luhrmann's use of the Wizard of Oz was a ballsy move but I thought it really worked. There were many scenes in the second half that were very moving and thats what the movies are all about. At least for me! There will be distractors but many will love this film, warts and all!

chuck

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:51:28 +0000

@Doug..Talk garbage???? If you like this film and after 2 and a half hours came out with a big smile on your face well that's great. But I would never value your opinion on films.

This is a big mistake of a movie. Everything from casting to editing to fx to story line. The hype will only make it worse for most viewers (here in Aus)

By: Brad Brevet

Brad Brevet — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:11:08 +0000

@Kerrdog: Yeah, I have a feeling I will be in the minority on this one and I am still hoping it does well so we get another Baz Luhrmann film sooner rather than later.

By: Kerrdog

Kerrdog — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:37:30 +0000

Wow .. So far this is the only negative review I've seen for this movie. Maybe it just wasn't your type of film .. Personally, I loved it. I thought the effects were great and though long, it was never boring.

By: Brad Brevet

Brad Brevet — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:33:32 +0000

@Doug: I don't judge films based on expectations, but obviously that plays a part in it whether we want it to or not. However, I can't get passed how boring this movie was and don't ever think I could watch it again. If this had been Baz Luhrmann's debut film it would be forgivable, but as it turns out it seems he learned nothing over the course of his first three films.

Strictly Ballroom is a good debut, Romeo + Juliet I did not like at all outside of the one scene where Claire Danes lets her papa have it, but I believe Moulin Rouge! is a masterpiece, it is honestly one of my favorite films of all time.

So I would say my expectations were middle of the road, but they got less and less as time came closer so in this case I don't think it affected my opinion at all. And as far as saying would it possibly turn into a C or even a B? Sorry, now that is truly mad. :)

This is not a good film and I would say expectations, if anything, are driving grades higher, not lower. Critics have been very generous when it comes to this film.

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:04:23 +0000

Well well well, the pic is so bad that people who have just seen it are already ruling it out of award consideration. Okay, but if the expectations where not so high would it have really garnered a D or would it be worth a C or even a B if it had been given a less than stellar promotion? Yes the CGI is not the best and probably better left on the floor, but it is still, with all it's flaws quite an event and will do reasonably well, even up against the half dozen critics on this page. Some people won't like the actors but most people will. And for the Aussie who said it was the worst movie, is that the worst movie Australians have made or the worst movie full stop. What garbage some people talk. Their souls are mad.