Stark

I haven't read Ben Elton's best selling novel, but I'd be interested to know the tone of the book compared to the teleseries.

My biggest gripe is too many actors are woefully miscast, some of which play annoying, unnecessary caricatures with poor accents. Nor does Ben Elton do his screen adaption any favours implanting himself in this ham soup featuring Australian acting stalwarts Colin Friels, Jacqueline Mackenzie, Bill Hunter, Gwen Plumb and Collette Mann.

Directed by the accomplished Nadia Tass, Stark moves at a decent pace - aided somewhat by the middle of the Western Australian outback, where most of the action takes place, appearing to be a convenient half hour drive from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. There's enough in the story and sufficient action to hold attention, but the environmental destruction of Earth and the ills of capitalism are sobering topics. The panto vibe seems off kilter.

As the credits finally roll after a climax involving perhaps the worst special effects since the early incarnations of Dr Who, a narrator reels off frightening stats indicating the World is indeed dying. There's more weight in these two and a half minutes than the preceding two and a half hours.

I read the book (along with many others Ben Elton wrote); I found the movie added to the experience; the acting was amazing as I recall.. (I have fond recollections of Bill Hunter and his character's dysfunctional family), killer cast and not too shabby production wise.. would love to be able to find this on a streaming service.. lol..

If you haven't read the book, well you're going to enjoy this. If you have read the book, you'll either like or hate this.

It all depends how much of a "STARK" purist you are. I personally thought the book was far more enjoyable after watching this.

Some people I know didn't like it for it's strong environmental message. Personally I thought it was a good thing.

Go watch it. It's not a masterpiece of film but it is good entertainment.

I like the bit where the bloke at the marina made homophobic remarks about sly Morgan