Australia (the movie)

Just got back from seeing Baz Luhrman's Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Guess what! We enjoyed it. We agree with most of the negative criticisms. It is filled with cliches. It runs long. The bombing of Darwin seems tacked on. The sweeping epic quality matched with The Wizard of Oz is a bit silly. But, still, it's a fine film experience. If Luhrman had cut the cattle stampede, I think the film would have been better as a lot of the problems with the film are in that scene, ie overuse of CGI and Aboriginal magic.

However, the landscapes are immense and beautiful. The love story is fine. The villains are just evil enough. Jackman is gorgeous and Kidman is natural and believable. The script is over-reaching, but still interesting story-telling with moments of real humor and tenderness.

In a year in which critics are giving films like The Wackness and Zach and Miri Make a Porno 31/2 stars, I think those same critics should be ashamed not to credit Luhrman, Kidman, and Jackman for what they have brought to the screen.