Movie Review by Nigel A. Messenger
Starring: Jerry O’Connell, Anthony Anderson, Estella Warren, Christopher Walken, Dyan Cannon
Director: David McNally
CGI can be used in a variety of creative ways. You can enhance explosions, create weird space aliens or even make animated characters appear realistic and have then interact with humans as was the case with the recent SCOOBY-DOO movie. KANGAROO JACK does just that but instead of a talking dog we have a virtually silent kangaroo.
Charlie Carbone (Jerry O’Connell) and Louis Fucci (Anthony Anderson) manage to upset Sal (Christopher Walken), the head of a powerful crime family but as Sal is Charlie’s stepfather instead of having them killed he sends Charlie and Louis on an errand to the Australian Outback where they are to deliver a confidential package. They discover the package contains a large sum of money and so for safe keeping place the money inside the pocket of Louis’ ‘lucky’ jacket. However while driving along a deserted desert road they hit a kangaroo. Believing the kangaroo to be dead they decide to take a souvenir photograph of the kangaroo wearing sunglasses and Louis’ lucky jacket. But the kangaroo was only unconscious and before they know it the kangaroo, who becomes known as Kangaroo Jack wakes up and leaps off into the desert with sunglasses, jacket and money included.
Charlie and Louis take off in hot pursuit but soon lose the kangaroo and in desperation hire a wildlife expert, the gorgeous Jessie (Estella Warren), to help them track Kangaroo Jack and recover the money. Their lives are in danger however as they themselves are pursued by the very person they are supposed to deliver the package, a hit man hired by Charlie’s stepfather to kill them both.
While the story is a simple one, KANGAROO JACK is funny, fast moving and makes clever use of CGI. The animation is every bit as good as SCOOBY-DOO and the storyline provides plenty of laughs and excitement for all ages. KANGAROO JACK is a thoroughly entertaining film and is highly recommended if you’re in the mood for some lightweight fun.
