seedoeatreview

Australian films often struggle to compete with their big Hollywood counterparts. Often pigeonholing themselves into creating something quirky or gruesome for cinema audiences, shock value is sometimes given precedence over anything of substance. But if you think the Australian film industry is on its knees, take a look at the movie Kangaroo Island. Containing the perfect balance of drama, comedy, and mystery, and blended with the gorgeous scenery of Kangaroo Island itself, it's one of my favourite films of 2025!

With her once-fruitful Hollywood career seemingly coming to an end, actor Lou Wells (Rebecca Breeds) returns to her family home on Kangaroo Island in South Australia at the behest of her father. Lou is not exactly thrilled to see her family again, and over the course of 110 minutes, we learn the many salacious secrets the Wells family has been hiding. From love to betrayal, unbridled happiness to inconsolable grief, and unrequited love to tragic loss, Lou, her sister Freya (Adelaide Clemens), and their father, Rory (Erik Thomson), have dealt with- and continue to deal with- it all. To make matters worse, Freya's husband, Ben (Joel Jackson), has feelings for Lou, which adds more problems to the siblings' already fractured relationship. Kangaroo Island may seem serene, but if you scratch beneath the surface, you'll see it's far from peaceful!

THE GOOD Writer Sally Gifford has crafted such a multi-layered tale that grips you from scene to scene. Lou and Freya's relationship is the main focus of this story, with director Timothy David (Farmed and Dangerous) effectively showcasing the sisters' bond through the right balance of drama and comedic elements. Cinematographer Ian McCarroll (Stylebender) deserves credit for capturing the picturesque beauty of Kangaroo Island. I couldn't help but notice that although the landscape is wide and open, the story itself is insular and almost claustrophobic. As soon as this family jumps over one dramatic hurdle, it seems another, bigger obstacle gets in their way. You know you're watching a great film when the audience is audibly gasping at every storyline twist and turn!

THE BAD The claustrophobic element that works to this movie's benefit also works to its detriment, as the number of issues Lou and her family face will leave you feeling utterly exhausted by the film's end. It's almost like there is too much story to fit into this one movie, that it doesn't allow each character (and the audience) to fully breathe and take in what is happening. Maybe that's what the film's creators wanted the audience to feel, and if so, it works. The ten years of pent-up emotions and anger that these characters have built up in their time together (and apart) are fully released on the screen. And, although the story elements and arguments felt all too real, it did leave me wondering whether one family could go through that much drama in such a short space of time?

THE UGLY Kangaroo Island has so many touching, real-world issues in it that it probably deserves a trigger warning before the movie begins. Some of the arguments and events may hit close to home, and at times, I noticed the cinema audience nervously laughing as the drama played out on the screen. You may want to go to the cinema to escape, but this movie has many confronting elements.

How does an Aussie movie like Kangaroo Island stand out from an overcrowded cinema market? The answer is...by being its best, beautiful, unashamedly, unapologetically self. It's very 'Aussie' without being in your face about it, it's very real without trying to preach, and it's very funny without going ridiculously over the top. A special mention should also be given to the joke, which was carried over from the start of the movie to the very end and was hilarious every time it was brought up. Kangaroo Island is a metaphor for personal baggage, and shows that the older you get, the more it just piles up. Be aware, though, if your baggage piles up too high, it will eventually all come crashing down, creating one big mess!

FOUR AND A HALF PIECES OF LUGGAGE OUT OF FIVE.

It's a rare occurrence when the kiddos and I aren't on the same page when it comes to movies. It seems as if animation studios have learned to cater to adults as well as children when it comes to kids' movies, and that's a great thing as a parent. But then a movie like Space Jam: A New Legacy comes along which gives parents nothing to grasp on to and makes you feel every minute of its excessively long two-hour running time. As for the kiddos though, they absolutely loved it!

In Space Jam: A New Legacy LeBron James basically plays an exaggerated version of himself, treating his two boys like basketball teammates, rather than acting like a father, in a very overbearing and demanding way. Although one of his children likes playing basketball, his youngest Dom (Cedric Joe) would rather stay in his room building video games. LeBron is having none of it and demands that Dom constantly practice as well as attend an upcoming basketball camp. It is then, after a series of strange events, Dom & LeBron get sucked into a computer program run by Al G. Rhythm (Don Cheadle), with their only hope of returning to the real world if LeBron can beat Al G. In a basketball game. It may sound easy, but with James only having Looney Tunes characters as teammates and Al bringing in NBA & WNBA stars on his team, this may be a game that LeBron can't win.

THE GOOD

Not a penny has been spared in making this one of the most colourful, beautifully animated features ever seen on film. Animation has come a long way from 1992's original Space Jam and in this sequel of sorts, all the usual Looney Tunes characters return, but this time, have been given a 3D-style makeover. If only some of that money was spent on producing a decent script!

Mr. 10: This film was awesome. I loved seeing all the Looney Tunes characters come to life and seeing Porky Pig rap was my favourite. There were also lots of funny jokes, which was good too.

Mr. 7: All the Looney Tunes characters are so silly and it's really funny when they're constantly fighting with each other. I like how they all team up together to play basketball against the bad guys.

THE BAD

With a script that sounds more like a Public Service Announcement, rather than an entertaining movie, I actually thought I was listening to something that a bunch of sixth-graders had put together rather than a Hollywood movie. While a lot of animated movies may cater to adults this film does not even bother, keeping everything low-brow and very childish from start to finish. I have no problem with this because my kiddos loved it, but what I don't understand however is just why you'd bizarrely put in scenes from The Matrix, Mad Max, and Casablanca. Mr.10 and Mr. 7 were continually leaning over in their chairs asking me what all these strange scenes were. Not only were kids not born when these films were originally released but they're not even in the age range to watch these films NOW!

Mr. 10: The only part of the film I didn't like was Al G. Rhythm because he didn't make any sense. Sometimes he's really strong and then sometimes he's really weak. If you run the computer program shouldn't you always be strong?

Mr. 7: I didn't like the bad guy because he kept changing the rules so he could win and LeBron would lose. It didn't seem very fair.

THE UGLY

If you want to see a film whose main reason to exist is based wholly and solely to market toys to kids, then Space Jam is that film. From start to finish there is always a product brand, toy, or game perfectly positioned on the screen to face the audience with a character on the screen saying something along the lines of "hey will you pass me that LeBron James branded basketball?" 'Yes, I can pass you this LeBron James branded basketball'. This may be a slight exaggeration but watch this film and you'll get my drift.

I knew that Space Jam: A New Legacy wasn't going to be good but I just didn't expect it to be that bad. From wooden acting (by the human cast) to Looney Tunes characters with voices completely different than the ones I grew up with, this movie was quite the slog to sit through. In saying that though, my kids enjoyed every minute of it and I'm happy to admit that not every film is made for me.

TWO AND A HALF LEBRON JAMES BRANDED BASKETBALLS OUT OF FIVE

Mr.10: This film was awesome. The Looney Tunes characters were really funny and it was great to see them all team up together. Porky Pig was the best. Four and a half out of five.

Mr. 7: I liked seeing all the Looney Toon characters turn from cartoon to 3D and they were all really funny. But I didn't like how long the film went for or the bad guy. Four out of five.

There's something about New Zealand-made films that really resonate with me. Much like French movies they have something a little different about them that helps them stand out from other cinema features. I'm not sure if it's the quirky humour, the beautiful scenery, or just the wonderful ability to tell a good story, but films like Once Were Warriors, Black Sheep, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and now Cousins, show that New Zealand is definitely on the forefront of great, original movie making.

Based on the bestselling novel by Patricia Grace, Cousins tells the story of three girl cousins and the three very different paths their lives take. Makareta has been brought up in a well-off family and is being set up for an arranged marriage unbeknownst to her. Missy is the tomboy of the group and has to make tough decisions that are best for her and the family, while Mata has had the toughest upbringing. Being handed off to an orphanage by her father, she struggles to find her way in the world and is being brought up by an uncaring, unloving guardian who refuses to teach her the ways of the world. This abuse, of course, stunts Mata's growth as a person, and her being unable to function properly in society eventually leaves Mata out on the street and barely able to get by. But the bond of these three cousins is so strong that Makareta sets out to look for Mata while Missy protects the land on which they grew up. In a story filled with so much heartbreak, hardship and tears we're left to discover whether these cousins will ever be able to truly find one another again.

THE GOOD

Cousins is a film where everybody - from the actors to the directors to the composer to the cinematographer - were all on point. I'll have to admit that I was hooked when the music to the trailer for this film hit me and gave me shivers. It's a heartbreaking tale but one told with a gentleness and a very light touch of humour that you can't help but be drawn into this fascinating tale. Marta is the centrepiece of the film and her abusive upbringing is the catalyst that the story is based around. The main characters are each given three different timelines exploring their stories (child, teenager & adult) and although they're all exceptional in their roles, it's the three children who really stand out. Bringing a wide-eyed innocence to the film, it's amazing how natural they play off each other on camera. On the other hand, the adult actors bring a lot of heart to the script and leave you begging for a happy ending even though it seems near impossible.

THE BAD

The whole aspect of child custody and land rights is prominent in this film and I was left to wonder: A) if it was true and B) what was left to come for this family as the end credits rolled. Don't get me wrong it was a movie that was well told but it seemed that a lot of the big questions were left unanswered. It's by no means a film that needs a sequel but one in which doesn't give a lot of answers or resolution to some of the story threads.

THE UGLY

The plight of the Maori people seems eerily similar to those of the Indigenous people of Australia. Being treated differently because of the colour of their skin, being made to feel lesser, and being ostracised from the community as a whole seems a characteristic which unfortunately transcends borders all around the globe. Raw and real, it may be tough to watch at times but it's definitely worth seeing and hopefully learning from.

Cousins is by no means an uplifting story but has uplifting elements to it. A movie in which everyone, in front and behind the camera, seemed to be on the same page will teach you things about the Maori culture that you may have never known and is a film that puts family above all else. In this day and age that seems like a very important lesson to learn.

FOUR AND A HALF SILVER FERNS OUT OF FIVE.