A romantic action-adventure epic set in Australia prior to World War II that centers on an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) who inherits a large ranch. When English cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) to protect her ranch. Together they experience four life-altering years, a love affair and the bombing of Darwin during World War II.
- Audio: English, French & Spanish: 5.1 Dolby Surround
- Language: Dubbed & Subtitled: English, French & Spanish
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen: 2.35:1
Watching the early reels of Australia, there’s certainly no doubt who’s in charge: this could only be a film by Baz Luhrmann, that wacky purveyor of all things over-the-top. In this old-fashioned, 165-minute hymn to his native continent, Luhrmann travels back to the late 1930s/early ’40s, for a scenario that would not have been out of place at MGM in that era. Straightlaced Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) journeys Down Under and is put under the protection of–crikey–a rugged cattle driver known only as the Drover (Hugh Jackman). When the two are forced to team up (along with a motley crew of misfits) to take a herd of cattle through the hostile landscape, their way is challenged by the dastardly plans of the local beef baron (Bryan Brown) and his elaborately evil lieutenant (David Wenham). At some point you realize that this film’s main commodity is not cattle, but corn: Luhrmann piles on the melodrama and the old-school climaxes with his usual frantic glee. Employing “When You Wish Upon a Star” and the Japanese air force to make his case is not beyond Luhrmann, and he reaches big here. Those with a taste for un-ironic silliness might just go for this stuff, but even fans of the Baz will have their patience tested by the broad comedy and the absence of discernable chemistry between Kidman and Jackman. Australia does manage to skewer the culture’s prejudices against the Aboriginal people, but in this context such a victory comes across as rather tinny. –Robert Horton
Stills from Australia (Click for larger image)
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Buy “Australia” For Only $8.16
January 23, 2006
#1
There is no surer path to mediocrity than to pursue the ordinary. Welcome to Australia.
tlt-
January 23, 2006
#2
We tried two different copies of this blu-ray disc from the video store on our player, which has the latest upgrade, but neither would play. Apparently the manufacturer of this disc doesn’t care if people waste their money on a blu-ray that hasn’t been made to common standards.
Avoid!
January 23, 2006
#3
The disk arrived promptly but does not work. When put into the DVD player it only makes grinding noises and has no picture at all. Very dissapointing. I have not tried to return it yet. I was ill at the time and had about forgotten about it. I am not happy at all!
January 23, 2006
#4
We couldn’t decide if this movie was supposed to be a comedy or serious. It may have been one of, if not THE, worst movie of 2008! The only reason for one star is Hugh Jackman, who even in a corny thing like this can come across as someone watchable. And what is with Nicole Kidman and those pumped up lips – it seemd to affect her performance.
People, don’t bother with this movie!
January 23, 2006
#5
We put 7 copies of this out to rent at our store, and VERY many people brought them back as unplayable. We finally figured out that the spindle hole is off-center. It plays in our machines, but makes a racket bouncing around in there. Can’t be good for the machine, may have toasted our home DVD player which has been acting up since.
One customer had gotten a copy which didn’t work from an online rental company, so they came to our store looking for another that might play for them. We couldn’t help them.
Nobody’s Blu-ray or Xbox360 will play it.
We are ordering a second batch with hopes it might be trouble-free. It’s been a GREAT renter.