I’ve always been a big fan of director Baz Luhrmann’s ability to take us on an unforgettable cinematic journey and AUSTRALIA is one that will not only do so but it will also make sure you leave the theater with a lasting impression of… the magic power the land down under has, especially when handled so carefully by a man who knows firsthand about its beauty and how to work it to his advantage. Epic, Majestic, Grand, Colossal, those are some of the words that run through your mind as you see every second of every minute of AUSTRALIA.
“Australia” is an epic and romantic action adventure, set in that country on the explosive brink of World War II. In it, an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) travels to the faraway continent, where she meets a rough-hewn local (Hugh Jackman) and reluctantly agrees to join forces with him to save the land she inherited. Together, they embark upon a transforming journey across hundreds of miles of the world’s most beautiful yet unforgiving terrain, only to still face the bombing of the city of Darwin by the Japanese forces that attacked Pearl Harbor. With his new film, Luhrmann is painting on a vast canvas, creating a cinematic experience that brings together romance, drama, adventure and spectacle.
AUSTRALIA is Baz Luhrmann’s Titanic or LOTR. What a great follow up to his 2001 masterpiece musical movie Moulin Rouge! Just the massive scope of this film alone will make you feel glad you’re watching it. There are so many aspects about this film that deserve nominations… cinematography, editing, art design, Costume, Sound, and even the visual effects that are just so damn convincing, it’s as if you’ve gone back in time. I don’t mean this in a bad way, but it is so well done, it feels like a campign ad to attract tourists to come visit the land.
AUSTRALIA reminds me of some of the past epic classics such as Casablanca and Gone with The Wind. The story itself is centered on the painful true reality called The Stolen Generation, and from when the characters are involved in guiding the cattles across the dessert all the way to when their story gets interrupted by the invading Japanese, it never goes astray from the focus, the theme of it all. Other so-called epic movies out there often make the mistake of trying to mix many things resulting in a long movie that’s pointless and boring. AUSTRALIA aims to leave you in awe. Even when you know that some of the backdrop was computer geerated, you wouldn’t mind because you’re caught up in its hypnotic, attractive, beautifully shot story.
What more can I say about Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman other than the perfect chemistry between them. These are Two Aussie stars who give their all and believe in their characters and the story. When they collide, the scenes sizzle, it’s like time suddenly stops. After watching the movie you will believe they can do no wrong. Girls everywhere will wish they could be with Hugh Jackman and every guy will wish he could be Hugh Jackman. If I didn’t know any better, their outstanding performances seems like the kind that somebody in his grand finale moments would give before the curtain closes on his career.
The only thing that just slightly, and I mean slightly bothers me is the ending. I think it would’ve worked just as fine if it had been a tragic one. But other than that, AUSTRALIA is in the same class as those great movies that start out one thing and end up WWII-related (The Sound of Music, Life is Beautiful)
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I really want to see this. I like most of Baz’s films.