BACK TO THE OUTBACK
Australia/US, 2021, 98 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Isla Fisher, Guy Pearce, Jacki Weaver, Eric Bana, Wayne Knight, Rachel House, Kylie Minogue, Gia Carides, Tim Minchin, Angus Imrie, Keith Urban, Diesel La Toracca, Aaron Pedersen, Celeste Barber, Miranda Tapsell, Jack Charles.
Directed by Harry Cripps.
Actually, the title is not quite accurate. The animals who are at the centre of this entertaining animation story for younger children’s audiences (and parents and grandparents) have not ever been to the outback (except what they were captured for exhibition when they were very little).
Audiences will probably be very surprised to find that the central characters, with whom we identify and whom we get to like immensely, our are a taipan and, a spider, a scorpion and a lizard. And we have to spend a lot of time with a rather pompous young koala, Pretty Boy, feted by the media and by zoo visitors, who believes his own propaganda! Not exactly the cast list we might have been expecting.
The story opens in Sydney, across the harbour from the Opera house, a wildlife exhibit, loads of visitors and children. One of the key exhibits is, what seems to be but is not, a ferocious crocodile. (In fact, she is a sympathetic Aunt Jackie, voiced by Jacki Weaver.) The man in charge of the exhibit is Chaz and, with many Steve Irwin characteristics (although, to be fair to Steve Irwin, there are some moments when it is explained that Chaz as modelled himself on the actual Steve Irwin!) And his roly poly son, Chazzie.
One of the advantages of this production, Australian with US backing, is the voice cast. A glance at the cast list indicates the wide extent and participation of so many of Australia’s top actors. Even in tiny roles. Isla Fisher is central as Maddie, the heroine, the attractive taipan-blue and (with fears and fangs) who is upset at being called a monster because of type and reputation for kills but is really sweet. And, Tim Minchin has plenty of spotlight as Pretty Boy. (And there are small voice roles for Kylie Minogue, Aaron Pedersen, Jack Charles…).
Eric Bana voices Chaz Hunt, Chaz all talk, full of heroic stories, impossible, from his past, but really a phony who has to deal with his son idealising him.
There is a great deal of enjoyment in seeing how our characters get out of their class cages, find ways to further their escape, find a great deal of help from an Association of Ugly animals, ranging from Tasmanian devils to bats and lizards who band together for rescues. And the adventures take them from Sydney suburbs, to the Blue Mountains, to far beyond, to Uluru, and to the final desert mountains where the creatures will find home again.
Lots of slapstick comedy as well, especially concerning poor old Pretty Boy whose vanity almost has no end and who gets quite slapsticked around but who eventually, bonds and shows a touch of heroism!
Interesting that the insects and snakes should be the centre of this kind of attention. And some speeches for a message about discrimination, acknowledging everyone, not labelling, understanding and appreciation all round.
So, a rollicking comic adventure designed for family entertainment, at home in Australia and, for curious audiences overseas.
