Storm Boy

A visually stunning Australian film that has worldwide appeal for people of ALL ages. The themes about family, friendship, love, loss and loneliness are universal and rounded out with a message of hope for a better future. This is a throughly enjoyable and emotional "retelling" of Colin Thiele's book of the same name which has been in print for over 55 years. This is not a remake - this is a retelling and should not be compared to the 1976 version. This film stands on its on merit, it is beautifully shot and superbly acted. It's a remarkable film that will stay with you forever.

Perhaps it's because I can't remember the original but I found this film to be very well crafted and moving. I don't understand the criticism I've read from the various professional critics. I say see it. If you don't feel the urge to tear up you're made of stone and probably not a movie lover. I liked the way it was framed and the wistfulness Geoffrey Rush brought to his role. It's a credit to all involved.

Storm Boy is a drama film based on the 1964 novel of the same name by Colin Thiele. Starring Geoffrey Rush and Jai Courtney, it is a mostly well made modern adaptation of the classic Australian story that marginally improves upon the original 1976 film.

In South Australia, retired businessman Michael Kingley (Geoffrey Rush) recounts a story of his childhood to his grand-daughter Madeline (Morgana Davies). When he was young, Michael (Finn Little) lived with his father Tom (Jai Courtney) on the isolated coastline of Coorong, and was good friends with a local Aboriginal man named Fingerbone Bill (Trevor Jamieson). One day, Fingerbone Bill and the young Michael discover three orphaned baby pelicans which Michael rescues and cares for until they grow to full size. Forming a close bond with the pelicans, Michael names them Mr. Proud, Mr. Ponder, and Mr. Percival, the latter of which he becomes the closest with.

Perhaps the best told version of Colin Thiele's classic novel, Storm Boy is an entertaining update that is respectful to its source material, even if it does take the occasional unnecessary liberty. The flashbacks to the modern day scenes didn't always work and did end up feeling out of place at times. Thankfully, the ever-reliable Geoffrey Rush playing the older Michael helped make them much more tolerable. However, the moments that occurred in the original story were handled quite well. I particularly liked the scenes where the young Michael was feeding the baby pelicans and teaching them how to fly. This is made even better by the great performance from relative newcomer Finn Little, whose natural playful banter with the pelicans was nice to watch. Overall, this is a fine retelling of the classic novel, if one were to ignore some of the contemporary modern changes.

I rate it 7.5/10

I believe some of the criticism of this remake is harsh. It is easy to think of the original which was a much loved film and say that this is not up to the same standard. The filmmakers seem to have deliberately chosen not to replicate the first and should be congratulated for not doing so. It is lovingly filmed and is nicely edited between flashbacks of the old and young Michael. Performances are solid without being outstanding. There are nice moral messages without going over the top. Take the obligatory tissues for films with animals. These parts are nicely filmed and not over the top. Please don't choose not to see the film because of Geoffrey Rush's appearance. Think of it as a great actor playing a terrific part. I think that if people go in with an open mind, not think about the original and see this on its own merit, I think most will come away saying, 'this is a nice film'.

F you're going to remake an Australian classic it must be compared to the Original did anyone else get past the first episode of the recent dreadful television version of Picnic at Hanging Rock?

Storm Boy is 1000% Superior to that awful insult.

BUT!

After we saw this new version of Storm Boy today I watched the Classic Award winning 1976 version ,which I much prefer because of its beauty and simplicity and David Gulpilill's ( he has a brief cameo as Fingerbones father in the newest version) superb portrayal of Fingerbone Bill, which to my mind is watered down in this new version and in its place we have Geoffrey Rush's new character the adult and aged Storm Boy Mike Kingsley and the new plot line of greedy Corporate land grabs, my other criticism is not directed at Jay Courtney 's acting in the role of Storm Boys father Hideaway Tom it's just that he's too clean cut and nice compared to Peter Cummins rough castaway personality in the same role in 1976.

I'm not saying this is a bad movie ,it's worth seeing the cast is good ,especially Finn Little as Storm Boy and Geoffrey Rush is a fine actor but when I watched the original version I asked myself the question Does this new version add anything more to the story ? And my answer was the opposite I think it diminishes the indigenous spirit and atmosphere of the 1976 version and replaces it with a hard contemporary sub plot that intrudes on the integrity of Colin Thiele's original story and reminds me of the saying " if it ain't broke don't fix it..