faaus72 Oddball is, if a bit formulaic, well done and rewarding.The intertwined elements of family-love, nature's treasures and a heartwarming dog combine for our pleasure.The location of the story is one of magical beauty.The characters are well-drawn and believable. The fact that it's based on a true story makes it even more special.

J Darin Wales This is a great little film! I wasn't sure what to expect before I saw it but it turned out to be quite the very pleasant surprise. The acting was good, with apparently really well-known Australian actors who would equal "A-Lister's" in the United States. I particularly enjoyed the performance of the young actress Coco Jack Gillies--she was really good for such a young performer.I will show this film to my children as soon as I can. I think they will easily be able to grasp the idea that some things are worth fighting/sacrificing for. This film has something for everyone... kids and animals with a sweet story keeps the kids entertained and the adult issues plus the animal drama keeps the adults engaged. I highly recommend this film to anyone wanting to see a great family film. Deals with loss, divorce (indirectly), forgiveness, honor, etc. Just a really nice film!

maccas75 I was excited about this film ever since learning it was in production. Being a Shane Jacobson fan and already knowing about this incredible story, I was curious to see how it would translate onto the big screen.Shane Jacobson brings a few laughs while playing his most "Aussie" character since Kenny. It's his family dramas and associated story line which at times bog the story down. Perhaps the film chose to focus on that aspect in an effort to draw attention away from just how fake the Middle Island penguin scenes were. In what is such a beautifully natural setting, I felt like I was watching a cheap TV-movie set.Alan Tudyk's character of Bradley was incredibly irritating and unlikable - the casting of such an Americanised character in a quintessentially Australian tale may grate some viewers. Meanwhile, comedic legend, Frank Woodley, plays a character resembling a poor rendition of 101 Dalmations', Cruella De Vil - annoyingly "comical" for adults, kids might still get some laughs.While not remarkable, it is an easy-to-watch family movie whose story steadily plods along to a predictable conclusion. I can't help but feel this movie could've been something really special, but instead becomes another reflection of the inconsistency currently plaguing Australia's film industry.

tricorne-u8 The precept for this story was brilliant, the casting was predictable but the direction was just woefully short of the mark. This simple little story about a dog rescuing the day, became entwined in an impossibly unbelievable romance, all for the sake of an unlikeable single mum and her implausible relationship with a US Event Manager!? And somewhere at the end, an unknown hero presents himself inebriated but utterly devoid of any character or plot development as the not very well developed heroine's final love interest.All this at the expense of her daughter, a canine hero, an endangered species and a pathetic portrayal of an eccentric chicken farmer; (no offense Shane).Well, this is what happens when Australian government officers get involved in making feature films! Everything is about Tourism, isn't it?