I watched kangaroo Jack for two reasons. First was to get a good laugh. The second was to get more familiar to the Australian outback way of life. The movie succeeded in both aspects, and it was as funny as hell. It was truly the most humorous movie I ever watched.

Charlie Carbonne (Jerry O'Connell) is the stepson of Salvatore "Sal" Maggio (Chris walken), the head of one of NY Italian "families". Together with his childhood friend Louis Booker, Charlie runs a beauty saloon. His life changes for ever one day as he along with Louis accidentally attract police attention to Sal's warehouse housing millions of dollars worth of illegal goods. Sal loses $ 4,500,000 in confiscations and decides to get rid of the two. With the help of his assistant Frankie Lombardo (Michael Shannon) Sal arranges flight tickets for both boys to Australia. He gives them a packet and asks them to deliver it to Mr.Smith of Coober Pedy. After an eventful flight and an even more eventful customs inspection, both the Yanks reach Sydney, from where they sets out to Coober Pedy (A remote town with total population less than 2,000 somewhere in Great Victoria Desert in Southern Australia).

On the way Louis accidentally opens the packet and finds that it actually contains 50 grands. Unfortunately they lose the money as Louis puts his jacket over an unconscious kangaroo thinking that it is dead. As the kangaroo gains consciousness, it speeds away to the desert with the money (in the pocket of the jacket). Although Louis and Charlie chase the roo, they are unable to catch it, and even worse, they crash their truck. Marooned in the desert they walk all the way up to the town of Alice Springs, where they struggle to understand the local vernacular. Finally Louis comes up with an idea. With the help of a bush pilot named Blue (Bill Hunter), they fly in to the desert in pursuit of the kangaroo. But their plans goes awry as Louis accidentally shoots the pilot with a tranquilizer shot instead of shooting the kangaroo. Their plane crashes and once again they are marooned in the desert.

After getting almost killed by dingoes, trapped in a desert storm and having mirages, finally the two reach Devil's Marbles area, where they meet Jessie (Estella Warren), a wildlife activist. Louis and Charlie tricks Jessie in to helping them by promising her a hefty reward for finding the packet and the kangaroo. Lured by the reward, Jessie agrees to help the two Yanks. Meanwhile, back in NY, after hearing from Smith that his stepson have cheated him of the money, Sal sends in Frankie to teach him a lesson. Meanwhile, Smith, who is a contract killer sets out on his own in pursuit of Charlie. When the three groups meet, a showdown results.

The movie was very funny and had me going for the entire 85 minutes. The jokes used were pleasant and devoid of any vulgarity. Although I should strongly advice you to watch the movie yourselves before showing it to your children, since there is some weak profanity and a very small amount of nudity present. But as a whole I think children will love this movie. The Australian vernacular used in this movie was really funny. It is not toned down as in Crocodile Dundee, but portrayed in its originality. But still I didn't had any problem in understanding.

Acting by both O'Connel and Anderson were excellent. Especially O'Connel was fantastic during the funny scenes. Chris Walken and Michael Shannon did their best in their villainous roles. Marton Csokas made me laugh with his very thick outback Aussie vernacular, but at the same time he acted quite naturally as a contract killer. As a whole, the movie was a great treat for people of all ages. I am impatiently waiting for the second part, which is probably going to be released in 2009.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12