| Overall Grade: |
B- |
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| Story: |
C |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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| Direction: |
B- |
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| Visuals: |
A+ |
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Mad About Hugh!
by Michael W (movies profile)
Nov 26, 2008
85
of
103 people found this review helpful
I will say this: On the big screen, this is an awesome sight. I knew it would be a spectacle, but I was still surprised by the images at times. I am Australian, and I know of The Kimberley region etc. Still, there are parts of the scenery that I simply did not know existed in Oz. The cinematographer (Mandy Walker) is female, and could well be the first woman to win an Oscar for the camerawork. A nom at the very least.
It was even a little funny, in a hokey kinda-way. And there were homages (or oblique references) to famous Hollywood films that the romantics or film buffs will enjoy. Especially 'Gone With The Wind' and 'The Wizard of Oz'.
It is an old-fashioned movie, and deliberately so; which might seem corny to today's younger folk & cynics. If you know Baz's style and his love for old Hollywood musicals and romances, it is typical of that. Apart from a little violence (minor) and one F-word (done for effect near the end but unnecessary) even the kids could see it -- assuming they would want to.
However, it is WAAAAAYYY too long. By about 30 minutes. It is like two films in one; both by it's length and by the multiple stories.
It is not a masterpiece. Technically, it is like the so-called curate's egg: Good in parts. Visually stunning. Great costumes. Decent acting, esp. noteworthy is little Brandon Walters as Nullah. A good film, not a great story. I am sure there will be several people who love it. But It could have been something special. As my friend who accompanied me said: It is uneven, and doesn't know what it wants to be (genre-wise)
It's worth a look for the visuals. If you'd like to see a more emotionally compelling and dramatic story about Australia's 'stolen generations' (just one thread of too many in the film) I would recommend Phil Noyce's 'Rabbit-Proof Fence'.
PROS: Cinematography. Brandon Walters. Hugh Jackman. Even Nicole was good.
CONS: Length! Uneven & crowded story. CGI??! (at $130M US and still looks fake!!) Deliberate attempt at ol' Hollywood style fails at times, e.g., cliched villains.
A better telling of the 'stolen generations'? R-P Fence.
A better Aussie western? 'The Proposition' (Guy Pearce) A very different film. Nick Cave scored & wrote the screenplay. A take on Cormack McCarthy's 'Blood Meridian' before 'No Country For Old Men'.
However, for some good old fashion fun & eye-candy, this is worth a look and definitely so on the big screen. Just don't expect the epic masterpiece that we were hoping for. |
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