Walters was simply amazing and the rest of the cast, excluding kidman, were excellent as well. The movie had anough going for it that it kept me interested the whole way and due to the acting of the acters, largely walters, you really did care about what happened. The only propblems, and they werent to big, were kidman and some of the corny parts, which are expected in a romance movie such as this, but dont have to be enjoyed.… Expand

The most boring movie I have seen in a long time. It seems like the director lost the script half way through the film and then finished the movie with another shitty script.

Some people are oblivious to the facts, and while everyone has the right to their own opinions, this movie is far from crap. Sure Nicole Kidman, wasn't the best actress for job in some people's eyes, but if the movie isn't your type doesn't matter who filled the role. I think the signs are powerful here, and those who don't know their world history by now, have real thick skulls. This movie can be seen as a slave narrative. So there are to sides of understanding: The indigenous people (aborigines) and the Caucasians, or more clarified, the british prisioners, solders, and thieves of the early centuries. These people were the perfect storm to destroy the native people of the fine land we call Australia. The land maybe different, but the idea remains the same: May ye rape, burn and pillage, until there is nothing left. The white man has truly done a fine job. But as the story goes, in the end....you can't stop fate no matter how hard you try. You can never make what doesn't belong to your people yours. I may never see it in my lifetime, but what belongs to the native people must stay within their grasp. That is how it was meant to be. No man nor religion has the right to erase a culture of people.… Expand

Loved every minute, Hugh Jackman is my favorite.

One of-- IF-- not the best movie of the year. this will kill at the Academy Awards, excellent acting by all --great plot ---excellent cinematography ---excellent location---bring tissue.

An entertaining movie that did not feel anywhere near as long as the 2 and half hour running time. Don't take it all so seriously. Movies are about entertainment, what wasn't entertaining about this movie?

Much better than the reviews I had read, I was really impressed. Excellent cinematography, great music and as usual a quirky approach from Baz Luhrman. Great film.

A masterpiece that proved too ambitious for critics. Baz dazzles us with his marvelous cinematography of a lush location. Nicole Kidman gives one of her finest performances yet and Jackman plays his rugged rider to perfection. It's weird, cheesy and cliche but what more do we expect from Baz. The best film of the year by a mile!

Really enjoyed this! For a long movie, it engages and entertains! Looooove Hugh!

I have to give this a 10. The people that are giving this move a 1 or 0 must have missed the entire movie. The kid in the movie deserves to share an Oscar with Heath in my humble opinion. He was just outstanding. Great movie.

A musical without any songs - woeful - and the fake kangaroos were pathetic.

Very Enjoyable.

Gave an extra point for the nice scenery! Despite the talent involved, I could not believe how boring this movie was, and actually fast-forwarded thru parts. And the whole subplot with the little aborigine boy w/ mystical powers was idiotic.

One story folded into another, seemingly without end. Maybe not great cinema, but fascinating just the same. Acting was excellent, and, if that is not enough, then the movie is worth your nickel for the camera work alone.

This movie was one of the most boring movies i have ever seen….well actually i fell asleep in the first 45 minutes of it. Starting off, I had no idea where it was going. The plot was awful, all over the place, and didn't have a POINT. I really did try to give the thing a chance, but I just couldn't keep my eyes open! the only GOOD thing about this movie is the cinematography. Everything else is CRAP! Did I mention that Nicole Kidman acted horribly in this film?? WAY too overdramatic. The film kept dragging on and on and never seemed to get anywhere. And when the end DID come, I felt like it was a complete waste because there was no excitement or point to the movie.… Expand

Unbelievable, and I mean that in terms of storyline. I was waiting for the UFO to invade and save the natives. I was left feeling wasted as the end finally occurred.

Yes, the movie is a tad long and you think it is going to end several times before it actually does, but I still enjoyed watching it the whole time. The movie was engaging and funny and beautiful to watch. It wasn't perfect, but it was enjoyable.

Baz whips together large themes across a classic Hollywood canvas in the tradition of Lean, Ford, and De Mille. The trick is to balance the contradiction between a shallow pop-history narrative and the demands of serious drama. Baz tosses in one convention after another for a risky ride that succeeds as much as it fails.

You know there's a problem when you can get a round of air hockey in the cinema foyer during the first half of the movie... being an Australian what can I say except "Crikey Baz, whats this garbage?"

A less sophisticated, less poignant, more derivative, more melodramatic, over the top, anything goes, everything goes, overly long 'Out of Africa' wannabe.

Loved it! even though im an aussie and was weary of watching this movie after listening to critics reviews.. must see if ur a sucker for titanic love stories.

Glad I didn't fall under the spell of the critics assessment and went to see it. Thoroughly enjoyable.

To sum it up in 3 words, Over indulgent crap. I can see why Baz Luhrmann works often with Nicole Kidman, she is the living embodiment of his movies, heavy on the looks, but no real substance on the inside. Add Hugh Jackman to the mix & the collection of the "superficial" is complete. Bland acting aside, the story was cliched and corny at times as well. All that's left are some nice visual shots. A typical Baz Luhrmann piece of fluff.… Expand

Basically the movie is romantic fun, and very scenic, if a little too long. All the pretentious post-modern analysis on show on this site completely misses the point. For Australians, there is all sorts of national iconography to delve into, but for the rest of us, this is epic romance in an exotic locale, with hunky men and gorgeous women doing what comes naturally. Baz Luhrmann's use of hyper-realism at the beginning is probably a bit OTT for most viewers, but this is no big deal. At least it is an attempt to stimulate the viewer with something a little different.. The best comparison would be with "Pearl Harbor "(which was a real turkey). By contrast, "Australia" is a masterpiece. As an aside, I am really surprised at the spite and vitriol this movie has generated. Is this some kind of inherent prejudice of many people against Australians? Go figure.… Expand

The grass isn't singing, perhaps the Australian outback is too arid. The grass is tired. Lady Sarah Ashley(Nicole Kidman) seems at complete ease with the Aborigine people at Faraway Downs, even though there's early speculation that her husband was killed by a native named King George(David Gulpili). Because of the times, you would suspect a British subject to be uncomfortable with Aborigines living under her roof. Lady Ashley doesn't have to be stereotypically colonist(like something out of a Doris Lessing novel), but "Australia" could have benefited from some moral complexity out of the ex-Brit. Saints aren't interesting. "Australia" works best as a western; it should have remained in this milieu instead of genre-hopping: the war epic that follows is not nearly as successful. The Aborigines are cast in "Indian" clothing, at first, when it's believed that King George is responsible for the murder of Lady Ashley's husband. During this interim period, the Australian emigrate seems too contemporary in accepting Nullah(Brandon Walters), a half-breed, as more than her charge. The filmmaker doesn't want to portray the Aborigine people as one-dimensional brutes, like the Indians, as seen through the lenses of Hollywood filmmakers during the studio system heyday. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and the filmmaker neglects to capture the urgency of the Aborigine cause. Since their children are being taken away, nobody would fault them if they responded to the government provocation by vigilant means. The filmmaker renders them impotent. When Nullah and some other Aborigine children are marooned on an island, it's Drover(Hugh Jackman) who comes to their rescue.… Expand

A beautifully made film that taps into so much range: romance, action, music, culture, history. The actors give it their all and the story is construed well, as is its telling. It contains a tremendous amount of movie magic though certainly none that demeans the imagination nor heart. It's a perfect film in my opinion, one of the best from 2008.

Most definitely fits the term "sprawling epic". Incredible cinematography, art direction, costumes, visual effects etc. It is a beautiful film. The acting is good - especially Nicole Kidman in one of her best performances. It is overlong, but rarely boring. Very entertaining. The first half is much better than the second half. What it lacks in originality it makes up for in grandeur.

WOW!!! This is one of the worst movies that I have ever seen. A total piece of garbage...and to think that I put my trust in some people's reviews.

A rather average film. Romanticised history of British colonisation and Aboriginal genocide, then becomes even shallower through the love story! It makes Australia (the place) look good though.

Try this movie if you suffer from insomnia.

I walked out of the theater. This movie is trash.

Shammy Sham, we're discussing the quality of acting and movie entertainment value here. We're not discussing the history of Australia. There are documentaries you can rate if you wish. Having said that, the acting was horrible from both Hugh and Nicole. Watching the aborigine child was like watching a bad soap opera. From slavery to cattle driving to romance to sexism to WWII scenes. Yes this movie popped them all in, yet each topic was so poorly done, save the cattle drive scene, albeit computer generated. 3 points awarded for entertaining cattle drive. 7 points deducted for long drawn out scenes and/or poorly done scenes. By the way people...beautiful scenery? Hmm, not really. If you care to see how diverse Australia can be, I suggest going yourself. From jungles to desserts to urban sprawls, this country has them all. Watching a dessert/brush land environment intermixed with poor acting is not my idea of a good time. Now go on your 'walkabouts' and contemplate what makes a good movie.… Expand

A fun and entertaining movie that takes you back. You get that old Hollywood feel when watching this movie. It's the way movies used to be and were meant to be....pure entertainment and dazzle. Straightforward, good old fashion story telling.

Great acting and a good glimpse of the late 19th century Australia's treatment of aboriginals. Loved Nichole Kidman.

Good movie. quite interesting throughout however it was slightly long. Hugh and Nicole both acted very well however I think that the young boy who plays Nullah stole the show. worth watching.

It's melodramatic. It's predictable. It's a little Harlequin Romance. Yes. All true. But did it still pull at my heartstrings and keep me entertained the entire time? Absolutely. Not even the most hardened cynic could fail to be moved by the charming young orphan boy who is the narrator. Oh, and the cattle stampede scene is spectacular. See it - despite the flaws.

As hard as Australia tries to be that Grand Opulent epic love story/western/war movie/social drama, in twenty years Gone With The Wind, Dr. Zhivago and Reds will still be the ones brought up in conversations. Australia is a little of each- beautiful to look at, good acting, a stampede cliffhager (literally) and a aborigine child with a psychic connection to his all knowing grandfather who is also the films narrator. It's a very good movie that just keeps pushing itself to be a great movie but it won't be mentioned in those conversations 20 years from now.… Expand

Luhrmann creates a sentimental, sometimes sappy, engaging epic-big ride, which is great fun and satisfies. Though by no means a masterpiece, I enjoyed myself and got lost up in this Wagnerian length Opera.

This is tied for worst movie ever with The Aviator. Melodrama in the hands of Tarsem or Darren Aronofsky is refreshing and gorgeous. In the hands of Lurhmann it's a train wreck of epic proportions. Lurhmann essentially wanted to make Gone With the Wind for Australia's stolen generation and failed horribly on all fronts. Why couldn't we just keep Rabbit-Proof Fence as the feather in our collective cap? See The Fall or The Fountain instead. Stay far away from this heaping pile of abnormal, unoriginal kangaroo sh*t.… Expand

Hugh Jackman is outstanding. The epic scenes (bombing of Darwin, the cattle stampede scene) are breathtaking). That little boy is just amazing. The cinematography, the most gorgeous one I've ever seen. In one word? MASTERPIECE.

An old-school feel that was ultimately, quite enjoyable...WHYwe go to the movies. Sure there were some occasional moments of cinematic "cheese" but seriously--who doesn't love cheese? It had romance, adventure, comic relief and action. It felt like you could have swapped out John Wayne in the lead and no one would have noticed; Cecil B. DeMille, big screen fun. And as one that JUST watched "Fight Club" on DVD for the first time (a interesting movie but jeez--what a dark story), I can say I like "Australia" even more. Movies are supposed to be fun, eh?… Expand

Baz Luhrmann has directed the worst film of all time: Moulin Rouge. So it makes sense that he has now directed what will probably turn out to be the most expensive flop of all time. Jackman is a cool actor and I hope he becomes a big star - he's much more likeable than Russell Crowe. Nicole Kidman is beautiful, but she can be too bland as an actress.

I thought it was a really good Baz Luhrmann film. I really enjoyed all the technical aspects of the film - beautiful cinematography, excellent sound and music and costumes and art direction. I even like the visual effects. Nicole Kidman did a really good performance and so did a few other supporting characters. Definitely a worthy film.

Action, Romance, Beautiful Cinematography. Australian Western with a twist. Hugh Jackman, Nicole, and Brandon Walters are wonderful together.

The critics have dropped the ball on this one. Australia is epic and beautiful and best of all is fantastically entertaining. Follow your heart and watch it!

This is the best movie of the year! Don't listen to the critics.

Old-fashioned Hollywood moving making. Less flashy than Baz Lurhmans's previous film Moulin Rouge!, but more ambitious and epic and scope. The final act falters a bit (and makes this film close to 3 hours), but the first two thirds are fun, shameless entertainment.

Wow! This is a great movie, beyond the Rainbow.

Bloody fantastic - I have seen it twice - Baz is brilliant. Critics go to blazes.

I was ready to appreciate this movie, and I wasn't disappointed. It has everything; The scenery leaves a sense of wonder; The characters go beyond the shallow stereotype that is so common today; The story covers all the bases, rich in humor, anger, fear, love, adventure, and even a touch of magic. Brandon Walters as a young "Creamy" boy, ( half white-half aboriginal), is worth the price of admission. Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman are wonderful together. If you allow yourself, this movie will sweep you away, and leave you craving for more just like it. I would give it a 10, but there are no such things as 10's.… Expand

I saw this movie in a packed theater. Word of mouth seems to trump the poor reviews by the professional critics. There will not be a dry eye in the house at the conclusion. Australia is almost like 2 movies in one. When you think it is over, it only just begins. The chemistry between Nicole and Hugh was tremendous. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful as was the Outback countryside. Don't miss this movie or you will be sorry you did. Enjoy.… Expand

I've seen plenty of epics and feel very comfortable saying this rates with the best of em.

Best movie I've seen in many a year. This is what movies should be! It had everything, suspense, romance, a cultural component, an arch-villian and a stunning leading man. What's not to like!!?? Will see again in a couple of weeks and probably buy it.

One of the most enjoyable movies I've seen in a long time. Don't understand the negativity in nitpicking. Just go and enjoy.

Long but not drawn out, with beautiful cinematography.

Hollywood drivel. The beginning was fine [kind of a Western theme], but the last 30-45 minutes was just the director throwing every Hollywood movie cliche he could at the audience. The Japanese attack was out of place and obviously used to simply facilitate the director's "Happy Ever After Ending" that we've seen a hundred times before. And forcing the villain scenes on us at the end was just a pathetic piece of film making. Lazy, unimaginative, and extremely predictable is the only way to describe the ending. But, ladies out there don't worry as I'm a guy reviewing this movie... if you're a girl out there just ignore my score and go watch the movie as its the classic formula for a successful chick flick. You'll love the young kid and the love story and Hugh Jackman and of course the predictable happy ending.… Expand

I read only bad reviews of this before I saw it, and while I was watching it, at first, I was thinking Wow, this is dumb (even though I kind of like the kid). But slowly I realized this is a children's movie, and after that I started liking it better and better. 8 is a weird score for me. When I comment on something, it's usually a 10 or a 0.

As my wife told me, "it's a World War II western romance, what more could you ask for?" I loved it.

Eh... a little better than average. It tries to be three different types of movies shot in two different styles. Sometimes Baz Luhrman is just too "smart" for his own good. This is a decent date movies... the gals will swoon over Huge Ackman as well as the story of the child. Guys? Well, it is not completely boring... but, be warned, after seeing Huge with his shirt off, you will be looked at as sloppy seconds when the lights come back up. Sorry folks, the CGI looks ridiculous, the story tries to do way too many things with overly cardboard characters.… Expand

Stunning visually, moving and heartelt. So clever and so many links to other films. Some critics just don't get it. Amazing film.

I really liked this movie...Jackman was great...especially with his shirt off.

Perfect Holiday Movie. Not nearly as politically courageous as "Rabbit Proof Fence" but still a movie of great landscapes with enjoyable acting.

Beautiful movie that starts slow, but improves dramatically. I would see it again.

Absolutely great time at the movies. Took my Mom and we both thought it was great. Do not pass this up because of the crappy previews ("There was a great sound like whoosh!"). Those original previews were taken out of context and made me not want to go see it. I only went because I thought it would be the kind of movie she would enjoy and I was totally wrong. There were a few things that I would have liked different, but I also think it should have been rated R and had a woman to equal Huge's hotness factor. That would be very different, this is a "family" movie. Check it out.… Expand

Loved it! Thoroughly engaging movie that is well worth the price of admission.

One of the most unbearable movies I have seen this year. Formulaic and predictable from start to finish. The acting is pedestrian and painfully campy, not because of a lack of acting talent, but an ATROCIOUSLY written screenplay and sinfully poor directing. Every possible hollywood cliche is found somewhere in this film, from the completely gratuitious Hugh-Jackman-Soaps-Up-His-Muscular-Upper-Body scene, to the ever trite "Let's get outta here" line... I implore you to save your money. The only reason I give this movie a 2 instead of a 1 is because the little kid was cute.… Expand

Enchanting!

Epic!! Australia is one of those rare films that will make you feel like nothing around you matters anymore except what's in front of you on the screen. Australia stars Nicole Kidman as Lady Sarah Ashley, a British social light who come to the rough and untamed lands of Australia looking for her husband, but what she finds is more disturbing than what she expected. Now Lady Ashley has to run her Husbands cattle ranch with the help of Drover, a mysterious cattle herder and a local boy. Now with nothing to lose the trio sets out to rebuild the ranch, and along the way finds out the true meaning of love, family and most importantly life. Australia is an amazing piece of art that you just want to look at over and over again, it's one of those great films that you can't afford to miss! I very,very highly recommend this movie.… Expand

Australia is the most boring country in the world, so good luck trying to make a good film of that.

An ok film, nowhere near the best, but it should be a one time watch for all Australians.

Horrendous. Big budget crap.

I had very high expectations from Luhrmann, being that "Australia" came as his next project after "Moulin Rouge," which is my favourite film of all times. However, "Australia" is far from deserving that honour. The critics got right the fact that the film is epic. Yes, it clearly is. Almost 3 hours of glorification of Australia - how could it not be? But grandeur alone does not make for a great film. Don't get me wrong - I did enjoy the film, and thought it was good. However, it had a bunch of things wrong with it. First of, it is not one story, it is a dozen of stories mixed into one overly-long film. Seriously, this could have been his next trilogy or something, since Luhrmann squeezed so much material into the film, that it's bursting out of its seems. Technically, though, "Australia" is amazing. With breathtaking cinematography, the usually spectacular art & production design, as well as costumes, and a good soundtrack, technically the film is superb. Acting is pretty good, too. Kidman is very good in comedic moments, but her lips indeed are too distracting from her acting. Jackman is his usual action-her self, so good, but nothing spectacular. The outstanding performances came from David Wenham as the arch-nemesis and the boy Brandon Walters, who stole the show. The screenplay is the weakest link of the film, along with its editing. Overall, "Australia" is a good film, but the story is too long, too stretched out, improbable and just not credible. At the end of the film you are visually amazed and in awe, but you are annoyed with the story. A nice try from Luhrmann, but he should have definitely cut at least 20-30 minutes from the film and worked more on the screenplay. Still, entertaining to watch for the visuals!… Expand