Australia [Blu-ray] [2008]

Australia, Baz Luhrman’s 4th film, is an old-fashioned adventure-romance set in, you guessed it, Australia during World War II in the Pacific. The romantic plot isn’t all that original (beautiful, rich aristocratic woman falls in love with a rough-around-the-edges adventurer), but the settings and the characters keep this movie from floundering. I must stress that this is very reminiscent of the old Hollywood epics of years past. The scenery is grand, the characters are over-the-top, and the score swells at just the right time. Nicole Kidman plays Sarah Ashley, an English woman whose husband owns a ranch in the wilderness of Australia. The ranch is failing and is in danger of being bought by a local business owner, King Carney (Bryan Brown). Ashley hires a local by the name of Drover (Hugh Jackman) to help drive her cattle to a shipyard in order to save the ranch. There’s also a secondary story about the indigenous people of Australia, represented by a young boy named Nullah (Brandon Walters) who’s father is a white man. Many people complain of the film’s length and dull second half. It’s true, this film is roughly 2 1/2 hours, and the transition from a great first act is rough. The plot switches from an adventurous trek through the Australian outback to a more serious tone when the Japanese fleet approaches the port city of Darwin. The final 30 or so minutes depict the Bombing of Darwin in February of 1942, and the subsequent aftermath. While it’s a nice set piece, it feels a bit out of place and doesn’t mesh too well with the rest of the film. It’s a satisfying movie overall and one worth checking out. Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman have excellent chemistry together and they really sell the love story. Also, Brandon Walters never gets annoying as many child characters do in these kinds of movies. He’s like the Short Round to Jackman’s Indiana Jones.

My wife and I just watched this film, and we both liked it. However, my wife liked it a little more than me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it. I just thought that the plot was rather dull, predictable, and drawn out. It's more of a romantic comedy, not the epic action adventure film that was advertised. Where as I'm a fan of epic movies, this could've been shortened a little. The plot was just Far and Away in Australia, almost identical. Hugh Jackman is great, as usual, and Nicole Kidman, with her collagen inhanced lips, plays her usual stuck-up snobby role. The cinamatography is fantastic though, beautiful imagery reminiscent of the old school Hollywood films. (The main reason for the 4 star rating, otherwise, I probably would've given it 3 stars.) Also, my wife and I have seen numerous films with Australian actors and know a lot people that are from Australia, but we couldn't understand a word that the little boy was saying. Plus, another thing we didn't understand was the bizarre opening statement about hearing voices of deceased natives?! Are we suppose to be listening for EVPs, or what? I don't know. Personally, this film was not as good as other films like Far and Away or The Painted Veil, but still worth watching, mostly for the imagery. Although, I'd wait for it to drop in price to about $9.99 or less, it's not really a $20 movie.

The Cinimatography was excellent, directing also... The writing was magnificent! Australia is great, all ends covered. Nicole Kidman & Hugh Jackman's chemistry is magnificent! I laughed, I cried, and smiled! The tragedy, turmoil, and betrail roller-coaster ride of emotions... This was what people went to the picture shows for! High on her horse Aristorcratic beau meets Mr. Emotionally empty can-do-it-all. I HIGHLY recommend this film to individuals who would love a good movie. It is over two hours, so wait for that slow morning, or rainy day. Enjoy!

It was captive, an extraordinarily good movie. I am recommending this movie to everyone. The actors and actress's , the beautiful country everything was fabulous. I will be watching this over and over again for a long time.The young actor Brandon Walters should be nominated for and get an Oscar. I love the History that I learned from this. Thank you !

I found the movie to be entertaining on a number of levels. The romance between some of the Characters. The movie was also an expose of the "Stolen Generations" policy. The government would forcibly remove children of mixed race from their families. I really loved the beautiful scenery.

Slightly old style saga about a widow who inherits her deceased husbands cattle farm .............. set in Australia on the brink of World War II. The story is a heartfelt one but the picture is pure eye candy in Blu ray on a nice flat screen..... fantastic cinematography.

If you liked the movie, "Quigley Down Under" which came out years ago with Tom Selleck, you will enjoy this movie. It's a mix between drama and history about the natives being mistreated in Australia during WWII. Also how the war reached it's borders.

I purchased this movie, even though I had already seen it several times. It is one of my all time favorites. Super casting, beautiful scenery, great plot. There is nothing to not like about this movie.