'Australia' Review

Nicole Kidman stars in Baz Luhrmann’s romantic epic, Australia. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/australia/32859/main

The trailer says it all. If you like old-fashioned epic movies like Gone With The Wind and Out of Africa, this movie is for you. What I mean by old-fashion is that Australia is long, episodic, full of larger than life characters, romance, war, social injustice, and lots of scenery that sweeps you away for two and three-quarters hours. All this is done in a good way that absorbs you by making the time pass without needing a bathroom break.
Nicole Kidman plays an snooty English Lady who takes over her husband's cattle ranch in 1939 after his death which is blamed on an aborigine. She's aided by her mach drover, Hugh Jackman who clash in the beginning but you can guess where this is going; think of The African Queen. They battle with a treacherous cattle baron and his even more treacherous son-in-law who do nasty things to force her sell her property to them. Then they take a half-caste boy under their wings against the rules of society which earns them more enemies. As if this isn't enough, in comes World War II with the Japanese bombing their country. Add some aborigine customs & magic to the mix and plenty of last minute rescues, you have quite an entertaining stew peppered with digital effects. And there's enough humor to speed along the story on its longish way.
Australia might seem corny or stereotypical to cynical viewers but don't listen to them. This is grand entertainment done on a grand scale. The plot touches on history without lecturing and the opening & closing titles will tell you enough. Australians are divided on their opinion of this movie but it should help their tourist industry. Fans of Australian films will see other well-known actors like Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, Bruce Spence, and David Gulpilil as the child's grandfather possesed with magical powers. I read there was a four hour pre-release cut that might make it to DVD or later spread out over several nights on TV. It would be interesting to see what was left out of the theatrical version.