Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 171 Ratings

  • Summary: 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 travels to the faraway continent, where she meets a rough-hewn local 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. (20th Century Fox) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 38
  2. Negative: 4 out of 38
  1. Reviewed by: Cammila Albertson
    88
    Australia goes for the absolute limit in terms of scope. And let's not be coy -- size may not matter, but it still helps.
  2. Reviewed by: Megan Lehmann
    80
    Defies all but the most cynical not to get carried away by the force of its grandiose imagery and storytelling.
  3. Reviewed by: Chris Hewitt
    60
    Often beautiful but wildly inconsistent, Australia is none more Baz Luhrmann, which perhaps says it all. Worth a look on the big screen, though.
  4. Reviewed by: Jenni Miller
    38
    A self-impressed epic with grandiose vistas, flat characters, and a subplot about Native Australians.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 77
  2. Negative: 16 out of 77
  1. 10
    Unashamedly epic. Unabashedly romantic. Unforgettably touching. Baz Luhrmann delivers THE underrated film of the noughties. Due to the enormous hype following the movie-musical extravaganza of Moulin Rouge!, Australia suffered a case of critic tall-poppy syndrome, in which it seemed the film was doomed for universal criticism before anyone had laid eyes on it. However, if one watches this with an openness and emotion availability, they'll find an unforgettable journey. Luhrmann's direction is impeccable and unique, and Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman's chemistry is electrifying. The character of Nullah is one of the absolute standouts, rounding out a stellar cast. I can not stop the tears from flowing every time I watch this film - Australia should be up there with the best of them! Expand
  2. aunque comienza lentamente Australia lo compensa ya que con una fotografĂ­a impecable y unas actuaciones solidas la pelĂ­cula recobra fuerza y y atrapa a l espectador Expand
  3. An overall decent film, but I felt that the film tried to squeeze far too many elements in, and the almost-3-hour-long film left me feeling like each scene was far too rushed. It was definitely more of a cowboy-type movie that I was expecting, but that didn't detract from the film for me at least. It was not at all what I expected, however, just from seeing a trailer for it--for better and for worse. Expand
  4. FranceL.
    4
    A less sophisticated, less poignant, more derivative, more melodramatic, over the top, anything goes, everything goes, overly long 'Out of Africa' wannabe. Expand

See all 77 User Reviews

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