Kangaroo Jack (2003)

Directed by: David McNally | 89 minutes | comedy, adventure, crime | Actors: Jerry O’Connell, Anthony Anderson, Estella Warren, Christopher Walken, Martin Csokas, Dyan Cannon, Michael Shannon, Bill Hunter, David Ngoombujarra, Mark Sellito, Damien Fotiou, Christopher Baker, Ryan Gibson, Denise Roberts, Antonio Vitiello, Mario Di Ienno, Tony Nikolakopoulos, Robert Reid, Shawn Smith, Brian Casey, Emma Jane Fowler, Helen Thomson, John McNeill, Paul Wilson, David Walsman, Lara Cox

In general, ‘Kangaroo Jack’ doesn’t get a very good rating from most critics and on most prominent movie sites and forums. We are indeed not dealing with an Oscar-worthy product here, but how you assess this film also has a lot to do with the expectations you cherish beforehand and with a certain degree of empathy. The story is thin, but still quite original.

Two clumsy types, one of whom happens to have the notorious mob boss Sal Maggio (Christopher Walken) as a stepfather, are sent to deliver a $50,000 package to a certain Mr. Smith. The rather clichéd plot is not the only shortcoming of this film. For example, some jokes miss the mark because they are just very bland or can be classified as underpants fun, the acting (especially from Estella Warren) is not always to write home about and the film is occasionally in a somewhat uncomfortable split between a children’s film and a comedy aimed at an older audience (young teenagers). The kangaroo, which nevertheless occupies a very prominent role in the trailer and on the movie poster, is not the protagonist in this film and gets less screen time than you would expect. Moreover, it is questionable whether the youngest can do much with the storyline that is built around the mafia and with certain oblique jokes that O’Connell and Anderson use. In short, the way in which the film presents itself from a marketing point of view is not always entirely in line with the actual content of the print.

Despite these negatives, ‘Kangaroo Jack’ certainly has its positive sides. Jerry O’Connell and Anthony Anderson make a nice duo, and especially the scenes that have a high slapstick content and are reminiscent of the classic duo Laurel & Hardy are quite entertaining. The chemistry between the two protagonists is certainly present and it is clear that the two men enjoy their performance. Another major plus are the computer-animated kangaroos. The animals – both standing still and leaping through the Australian desert – usually look quite realistic. The younger audience will certainly enjoy the cures, the facial expressions and the human features of the kangaroo Jack. There are plenty of examples of films that rely largely on computer-animated animals or monsters that are clearly inferior to the kangaroo in this film, but still enjoy a higher rating.

The film is supported by beautiful images of the vast Australian outback, beautiful in all its wildness and inhospitability. Viewers looking for depth, cinematic haute cuisine or a mysterious Lynchian role play should skip this film. However, the kids or adults who fancy a portion of light-hearted and unpretentious entertainment will certainly enjoy ‘Kangaroo Jack’ quite a bit.