​FILMS

oddball

Doggone it...a tale that will have you howling with delight!

2015 review number 183:

Oddball: (Family): 75 out of 100: Once upon a time there lived a mischievous dog named Oddball who wasn't able to protect his owner's chickens from their predators. One day the eccentric farmer, Swampy (Shane Jacobson), discovered that his dog had another purpose to his working life, and that was to safeguard the sanctuary's penguins from foxes. His young granddaughter, Olivia (Coco Jack Gillies), joined him in training Oddball but they kept it a secret from her mother, Emily (Sarah Snook), who was the sanctuary ranger. Emily contemplates a move to America with her boyfriend, Bradley (Alan Tudyk), due to the imminent closure of the sanctuary due to dwindling penguin numbers but if Oddball can prevent further deaths, the sanctuary would remain open, allowing Emily to keep her job.

 

Oddball is based on a true story and has a narrator in the mayor (Deborah Mailman) who tells the story like it is a fairytale and just like a fairytale, there are heroes and villains. The chicken farmer is a hero because he wants his daughter's sanctuary to remain open and will do everything to keep his family in Australia. Oddball is the obvious hero because it's his job to protect the penguins. Bradley is the villain because he has commercial interests in mind which might jeopardise the penguin sanctuary, plus he wants Emily and Olivia to move with him back to his homeland. For a 'fairytale' to succeed the hero and villain roles must be clearly defined and the story does just that, albeit with some caricatures along the way.

 

Jacobson occasionally grates as the farmer for he doesn't know the meaning of 'silence is golden'. He is constantly talking to his pets. At least the audience knows that he had quite a few lines to remember! Gillies is a promising child star who will have a successful acting career if she stays level-headed. Judging by her resume, she is already destined for Hollywood as she featured in Mad Max: Fury Road. Tudyk and Snook are reliable as ever, this time showcasing the familial aspect of the story. 

 

The images of Warrnambool and the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia are breathtaking. The locations provide a sense of adventure which perfectly complement the main quality of the story, and that is to promote the wonders of the natural environment including scenic landscapes and adorable animals. If the animals and landscapes weren't so appealing, we would have an inferior movie. Credit must also go to Cezary Skubiszewski for providing a soaring music score which perfectly suits the visuals.

 

Also known as Oddball and the Penguins, Oddball is a fun Australian family film that will please adults and children alike. Don't be surprised if children ask their parents for an Oddball-type dog breed after seeing this film.

 

Starring Shane Jacobson, Sarah Snook, Alan Tudyk and Coco Jack Gillies

(95 minutes)

Additional scene during or after credits: Yes, there are images of the coastline and where the movie was filmed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7AV2ZYlxvI (Movie trailer)

 

(Reviewed on Friday 4th December, 2015)

For my latest reviews, go to this link: http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review