klaus-sport
If you like me are both Australian and love comedy this movie will be one of your favorites. Written by one of Australia's finest comedians, Tony Martin, this film explores the boundaries of comedy from hilarious characters to alternate slapstick. Also, it has so many great Aussie comedians and actors who it is a joy merely to see on screen. If this movie had more invested in advertising you would've already watched and written a review like this one. From the start the movie is hilarious with one of the greatest car scenes of all time and the unfortunate misguided zeal of the two protagonists. You won't stop laughing from then to the end. I've watched this film multiple times and got great joy from it, the world needs more Tony Martins!
Old Joe
In a time when Aussie movies are in a bit of bad patch, here is one that really surprised me. It is the Tony Martin brainchild, Bad Eggs', a film that is so serious, that you have to look real hard for its funny bits. Martin has made a very intelligent movie, one that simmers along at a nice pace, includes a fine cast and shows off some of the great Melbourne locations. Bad Eggs' is a movie that proves some cops will go to extraordinary lengths to get to the bottom of the trouble. But no-one told these cops the trouble they might end up in as well
Ben Kinnear and Mike Paddock are undercover cops with the elite Zero Tolerance Unit. Busted down to uniformed duties after a series of humiliating blunders, the duo accidentally uncovers a conspiracy that goes right to the middle. Helped only by embittered reporter, Julie Bale and a reluctant computer geek, Northey, Ben and Mike set out to clear their names and expose the villains.Most of the praise for Bad Eggs' has to go writer/director Tony Martin. With this film he has proven that he has a future in the industry. The script he wrote for the film was extremely well written, as it had a fascinating story, some clever character creations (although some of the guys we see onscreen are anything but clever) and the Aussie language we hear in the film is a good reminder of that culture. Yet the story was also quite complex, as we learn more and more about what is actually going on.
Martin's direction was another highlight of the film. With this sort of quality direction, it would be hard to believe this is Martin's first time as a movie director, making this film an even bigger achievement for him. The opening of the movie must have been difficult to shoot, but Tony got it spot on. The film flowed beautifully after the start. I truly look forward to Martin's next movie. Bad Eggs also has a great Australian cast. The main characters in the film are Ben Kinnear (Mick Molloy) and Mike Paddock (Ben Franklin). Molloy gives a pretty good role here, as he is funny and serious at various moments of the film. His expressions are also quite interesting. It is a much better role from Molloy than his performance in Crackerjack'. Franklin (From TV's Crash/Burn), was great in his role, as he was very funny, although he seem not to have to work hard at being this way. Paddock says and does some of the more silly antics in the movie. I love how he goes Chicka-chow'. Another integral character to the story is Julie Bale (Judith Lucy). Here, Lucy shows that she really can act. Lucy and Molloy suit each other onscreen, sharing a good chemistry in Bad Eggs'. Judith also gives her character a steely resolve, something that I enjoyed seeing.
The supporting cast of the film is just as great. Northey (Alan Brough) might be a geek, but proves he is a good guy, who helps Kinnear and Paddock when they need it the most. Heading the ZTU unit is Doug Gillespie (Marshall Napier), who we see has many headaches thanks to his undercover agents. While, Widow Eleanor Poulgrain (Robyn Nevin), help out Ben and Mike, when she could be excused for not doing so. The bad guys in the film are a bit schonky' alright. Ted Pratt (Bill Hunter) is a foul mouthed senior cop, who is definitely not on the level. Helping Ted is Wicks (Nichols Bell), a very sneaky and unethical police official. Then, with a very interesting cameo appearance in the film is state premier Lionel Cray (Shaun Micallef). Micallef was pretty good in the movie, with his character very dubious and having some of the more memorable lines. The various scenes in the film are great. The opening of the film with the out of control car, going into a shopping mall was great to see. Then you have setups such as the fire at the widow's house, the bombing of the house and the driving of a car into a service station gas tank all being entertaining. However there was one scene that reminded of a film that I did not like too much. The infiltration of the highly guarded computer room by Ben and Mike, reminded me of the vault scene from Mission Impossible (1996) for some reason. I also enjoyed the dancing sequence used at the end of the film, with Molloy and Lucy showing that they can dance beautifully together. With that in mind, I also like the musical themes in Bad Eggs'. The music makes the film seem like it is super serious, then at the change of a tone, the film can seem to be very light-hearted'. I like the music that was used in the final scene of the movie, as it gave the film a classy' kind of feeling, with the song in question being "Where or When" from singing maestro Frank Sinatra. The musical score for Bad Eggs was by David Graney and Clare Moore. I have never seen a film that is so serious, yet at times so stupid. The balance of those elements works particularly well here. This film is not meant to be taken that seriously by its viewers, as the movie takes care of that for us. I was weary of this movie, because I was not a fan of the Mick Molloy Aussie flick Crackerjack', but I have plenty of respect for Bad Eggs'. Tony Martin can be pleased with this effort as director, as he has proven to me that he should continue his career in movie-making. I highly recommend Bad Eggs', a film that I believe just might help clean up the bad smells' that are starting to overtake the Australian Film Industry.
CMRS gives Bad Eggs': 4 (Very Good Film)
WheezyJoe
For Australians, Bad Eggs is the long overdue reunion between Tony Martin and Mick Molloy. The two first got together on Australian television in the sketch-comedy scene with shows like The D-Generation and The Late Show on the ABC. They later made a return with a national radio show called Martin/Molloy, which became a huge hit, naturally. Considering they have tackled two out of the three major mediums I guess then next logical step is to see if they can botch up cinema. Bad Eggs marks Mick Molloy's return to the big screen after the hailing success of last years hit film Crackerjack but marks Tony Martin's first appearance in a long time. The word appearance is used lightly however as this time the scrawny New Zealander stays behind the camera as writer and director giving Molloy centre stage. If you're clever though you just might notice Martin's presence in several quick shots throughout the picture.And not since 1997's The Castle have I laughed so loud and so often during an Aussie flick, and it's about time too. Where Crackerjack was a feel-good belly laugh Bad Eggs takes extra care of spoofing the very genre it draws on. It's serious yet outrageous almost simultaneously. The films two larrikins (I mean stars, respectively) are somewhat to blame for the great momentum and balance between laughs. The pay off is in Mick Molloy and Bob Franklin's slipshod slapstick style banter that never goes too far or bows too low. They have great comic timing and know how to handle the material. Also, stand-up comic turned Actress Judith Lucy projects much of her infamous persona into the mix of comedy. She works well as an icebreaker between the two dufus leads (again, said in respect). This camaraderie amongst comics/actors pretty much goes for everyone involved in the project. There's a distinct laidback Aussie feel to Bad Eggs topped off with classic Aussie humour (in an indicative Martin/Molloy approach) that fans will more than likely soak up.The only coil that might see audience's put off balance is that the story is much more plot-driven than most will be expecting. For some, they just want to sit back and guffaw. For others that like a bit more for their buck you will find it ultimately rewarding. With noticeable appearances from some of the greats of Australian cinema, Bill Hunter, Robin Nevin, Marshall Napier and Steven Vidler keep it all in safe hands (and that's comforting to know). Great performances from Alan Brough who plays the stations computer nerd and Shaun Micallef as the Victorian Premier. Micallef was the only one who played it quite differently than you would imagine. The jazzy music by David Graney and Clare Moore in the Bad Eggs Band is just brilliant. But don't take my word for it, go and see it for yourself. Bad Eggs is a barrel of laughs.Score - 4 out of 5
Shakamaker
Bad Eggs is great debut from writer/director Tony Martin, starring well-known local talent.We Aussies tend to enjoy our heroes portrayed as average-looking and bumbling, yet honest, lovable, and deceptively smart. On the flip side, we enjoy seeing our authorities and celebrities portrayed as dodgy, shady, corrupt, and fallible. (The tall-poppy syndrome.) This is a typical tale of a bumbling cop duo (Mick Molloy and Bob Franklin) who trip onto a trail of corruption, which goes a long way. In too deep and on the run, they must outsmart their hunters, and work out how to uncover the ring of corruption. Dragged into the mess is a local-rag reporter (the excellent Judith Lucy), who happens to be Molloy's ex-girlfriend, and a shy, conservative systems engineer (a very funny Alan Brough).In what's essentially a p*ss-take of the local police, it's a 'serious' comedy, with most of the dialogue delivered in a overly-dramatic, dead-pan style. This fits in with the general style of the film, shot in a slightly pale, ghostly grading, with a score that helps the film keep it's faux-mystique.Molloy and Lucy are fantastic together, and the sub-plot of their characters finding themselves helplessly thrown together again, after a less-than-amicable break-up, works very well. Bob Franklin is the real scene-stealer, though, as Molloy's slightly under-noticed partner.Martin uses Franklin's brilliant straight-faced delivery, to help keep things from getting too serious. The debutant also livens things up with the use two truly excellent sight-gags, one of which is a hilarious narrated recollection by Franklin's character.This film is good enough to even forgive the increasingly embarrassing number of times (four I think!) that the top of the boom mike can be seen in a couple of scenes. I don't think Mr. Martin will skip any more editing sessions for future projects! His raw talent, however, is plain to see. That, and the intelligence displayed in not trying to turn his debut film into more than it should be, has me looking forward to his next project.Hopefully Bad Eggs will see the light of day overseas, as it's as darkly charming as other recent successful local films, The Castle, The Dish, and Crackerjack, are uplifting. A comeback of sorts, to the charming Aussie films of the seventies and early eighties? Please!