Customer Reviews

Kangaroo Jack [VHS]

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

Here's one of those special movies that remind us of the better old-time adventure films, where everything fits together to give us just the right level of enjoyment, suspense, and humor. Many a modern "action" film depends on pushing the action to ever more extreme levels to entertain us with something new. But all too often that is symptomatic of a void in what else the movie has to offer. But this movie doesn't need that. It keeps us entertained because the protagonists are likeable, never boring, and they have adventures that are funny to boot. A stepson of a mob figure is sent with his buddy to Australia, to deliver a payment for a routine mob transaction, or, so he and his buddy think. But there are surprises awaiting them there, and the plot will keep you wondering as it plays out, as they encounter one misadventure after another, from a kangaroo they run over and presume to have killed, to a plane ride they won't soon forget. But I'll say no more. See and enjoy to find out how it all plays out in the land down under.

The Kangaroo sold me in the commercials. So did Jerry O'Connell and Anthony Anderson, so I gave the movie a chance. It payed off. This movie was adorable, good clean fun. Besides the camel flatulence and one other racy joke, the PG rating is totally appropriate. Kids should really enjoy this, and for adults, the two stars should hold their attention. And the Kangaroo... well he's fun for everybody to look at.

When lifelong friends Charlie Carbone (Jerry O'Connell) and Louis Booker (Anthony Anderson) accidentally get mixed up in the mob, they are forced to deliver a large sum of money to some shady characters in Australia. When a wild kangaroo "steals" the money before it can be delivered, it's an all-out race to catch him to get the loot back before the mobsters find out it's missing. Silly slapstick ensues, but Anderson and O'Connell make a good comedy team.

A mix of real and animatronic kangaroos were used.

Staci Layne Wilson

The 4 stars are what a kid would rate this, not an adult. This was a charming movie for the apporpriate audience: about 8-14 year-olds. The movie starts a little slow (the kids are waiting to see the kangaroo!) but will ultimately grab their attention. There are a couple of non-graphic sexual comments or scenes that made me a little uncomfortable for my kids, but nothing too out of line, (one of the characters thinks he is seeing a mirage and fondles Estella Warrens' chest, and later there is a waterfall scene, neither were way out of line, but a little unnecessary. The Dad's will like it though.)There is also some fighting and violence, and a drinking scene in a bar that made me suggest that the movie may be inappropriate for younger kids. Having said that, my 4-year old thought this was a great movie. The story is reasonable, a little predictable for adults perhaps but children will be able to follow and laugh. There is the mandatory fart humor (it won't be a kids movie without someone or something cracking off a couple of loud ones), the kangaroo looked very real, and yes, he does do some rap and a little talking. The rest of the humor leaned toward slapstick, so leave Mom at home and have Dad take the crowd. I (as the responsible parent) stayed awake the whole time.

Kangarro Jack is for the record a funny movie, but not PG funny. Has movie ratings gone so soft that a movie that clearly would of been PG-13 less than 5 years now only a PG movie. Not sure what I am talking about, let me explain.

Kangaroo Jack is about a group of buds who lose $50,000 to a Kangaroo. Now the back story is that JErry O'Connell is a hair stylist!? who step dad (Christopher Walken) runs a mafia inside of NEw York. After his bud screws up a job for Walken they are given one last chance at redemption. A simple job that requires delivering $50,000.00 to a client in Australia. Along they way the end up losing the cash and are being pursued by the mafia and the client. THeir only hope is to get the cash back. Along the way they meet the hot chick who helps them catch the Kangaroo.

Now here is why I say that a few years ago this would of been PG-13. Lets start with the obviouse, language. FOr a movie targeted towards children there sure as hell is a lot of profanity, toilet humor, and sexual dialouge. Here is an example of a funny line, but not an approriate one for a kids movie "We are experienceing an intimate Non Gay Moment". Then there is a scene where the hot chick is washing off some berry juice (One of their tactics to try and catch it) and the way the scene is shot, the shadows imply that she is topless. But then we see it is only a wet T-SHirt. IT is also at that point that she and JErry O'Connell start making out.

These are just a few examples of why this movie is not a PG movie, and even if it is it sure as hell is not for kids. The movie is funny, but I would not take kids younger than 12 to see this.

Simply put, Kangaroo Jack was awful. I'll keep this review brief, because so much has already been said about the film, but here are my reasons for hating it so profusely:

1) It was advertised as a talking animal movie (or at least, this was implied by the ads). The only scene in which the "Kangaroo Jack" talks is a very brief one in which one of the characters is hallucinating. KANGAROO JACK IS A COMPLETELY NORMAL KANGAROO IN THE REST OF THE FILM.

2) It has one of the weakest plots ever, and not enough action/jokes/anything to compensate for it. Seriously, this movie is BORING. The only interesting scenes involve Estella Warren, and they're only interesting because she's hot.

3) The jokes simply aren't funny. A twelve-year-old might chuckle at one or two of them; anyone else will likely rip out their ears and scream.

4) Although kids might laugh at the movie's pathetic jokes, the film really isn't even appropriate for children. There's too much crude and sexual humor: from the scene where passengers on an airplane mistakenly think the main characters are playing with poop in the airplane bathroom to the scene where Charlie squeezes one of Jessie's (clothed) breasts.

But the bottom line is that the movie is stupid and boring. Hooray!

May not be for the under 12 crowd, and more like PG-13 rather than PG, but one of the best slapstick comedies to come along in years. And with all the rauch in films today, I can't believe some of the reviews I'm reading. Very little to make you blush in this one. So if you're over 12 and want an extremely fun experience, Kangaroo Jack will keep you laughing. Even the comment about being "eaten like that baby" when they were surrounded by dingos, referring to the 1980 baby Azaria/Lindy Chamberlain dingo abduction at Ayres Rock, was not done distastefully as some have complained.

With some of the other popular comedies in recent years, widely viewed by many children(Coming To America, The Nutty Professor, Rush Hour) to name but a few, compare them to the scenes and language of Kangaroo Jack. You'll be asking what's all the fuss about too. Almost innocent in comparision. Outstanding Kangaroo effects, great comedic pairing.

I'm really surprised how this movie has gotten some bad reviews here.
Sounds more like some people didn't like it because it doesn't conform to their own ideas of what a movie should be. I loved it for it's originality and entertainment. The whole family liked this one. No it's not a 5-star movie to go on the classics list. But it is a good movie. Enjoy it.

I know I'm just a kid, but I'm 11 and I thought this movie was great.Everybody has their tastes and opinions, but this movie was funny, but a bit raunchy.Anthony Anderson(louis)even says the"s word"(I had English Subtitles on at the moment.)Hard to hear, but is still there.It is in the sequence where the ants crawl up his legs.But this movie had some good comedy bits in it that are over some kids' heads because it is in an Austrailian accent or is just a dirty expression like"Gotta point Percy at the porcelain."I immediately understood this joke but some did not at all. PG-13 was deserved here.

I think this is the best movie I've ever seen.I love this movie so much.I watch it all the time.This movie is very,very funny.If i could I would tell everyone in the world how great kangaroo jack is.