dsalouk Animal Kingdom is an angry and brutally made film by David Michod. Michod has captured the Australian slum life perfectly and the degenerates that warm it. Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, and Ben Mendelsohn are fantastic in their roles, but the rest of the cast are mediocre at best. Mendelsohn in particular casts a terrible aura; with an apathetic and sinister attitude toward the rest of the characters. His character's unpredictability truly brings the chaos out in the Cody family. This dark atmosphere, with moments mixed with anticipation, suspense, and dread really make this film an Australian jewel. It is one of the few that stand on its own and present characters blooming with personality. Animal Kingdom leaves jaws dropped.

filmjournal-97579 Great Australian crime-drama. Set in Australia, Animal Kingdom follows the story of "J", a young man who is taken in by his Granny after the sudden death of his junkie Mother. While in the company of his Grandmother and Uncles "J" finds out that they are involved in some of the worst crimes that have been taking place in Melbourne, in the eighties. What now stays in front of him is to try and find his way out of their clan or become one of them. The film delivers a great deal of realistic energy and feel of realism. This realism is achieved through the unfolding story whose logic is unrelentingly factual, and the extraordinary acting of a number of the players, including Jacki Weaver, James Frecheville, Ben Mendelsohn and Guy Pearce. Although violent, the film is to be commended for not celebrating crime and violence. The scenes of violence are short, unexpected, energetic, delivered briskly without lingering on unnecessary gore effects and details. The characters and violence are simply what they are, and all the more authentic for it. Great first feature debut by David Michod as a director. Highly recommended.

SnoopyStyle Seventeen year old Joshua "J" Cody (James Frecheville) is alone after his mother dies of a drug overdose. He seeks help from his maternal grandmother Janine "Smurf" Cody (Jacki Weaver) who takes him in. His mother had kept them away from her criminal mother and three brothers. Andrew "Pope" Cody (Ben Mendelsohn) is in hiding. Craig Cody (Sullivan Stapleton) is hyper. Darren Cody (Luke Ford) is barely older than J. Family friend Barry "Baz" Brown (Joel Edgerton) is the tough leader along with Pope. The cops keep surveillance on the family. Renegade cops shoots Baz dead sending the family into a spiral. After they ambush and kill two cops, police detective Nathan Leckie (Guy Pearce) takes J into custody for an interview.This is a great Australian crime drama. I wish Edgerton doesn't die so early in the movie. The acting is good all around with an exceptional performance from Jacki Weaver. It is dark and unrelenting. There are also a few funny moments like Pope ragging on his brother being gay. The main drawback of this movie is Frecheville. He doesn't have the charisma for a lead. He is surrounded by great actors acting circles around him. It's only his second acting credit and his character is suppose to be a blank. If he is a superior find, that would put the movie into the stratosphere.

grantss Great Australian crime-drama. Solid, edgy plot. Masterful direction from David Michod, in his feature film debut. Cast is spot-on, and great. Newcomer James Frecheville gets top billing, but he has a host of seasoned performers around him: Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn, Jacki Weaver, Joel Edgerton. Weaver got a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her performance.Inbetween making pretentious crap like Jindabyne, style-over-substance crap like Australia and low-brow crap like The Wog Boy, the Australian movie industry occasionally delivers some absolute masterpieces. Animal Kingdom is such a movie.