Kangaroo Jack

By EWAN McDONALD

(Herald rating: * *)

This movie has an Award of Excellence from the Film Advisory Board, an American organisation that rates wholesome family and children's entertainment, a definition which, here, means gangsters, hit men, attempted murder, car crashes and alcoholism. What the kids will really enjoy about this boneheaded caper, one suspects, is the flatulence.

Charlie Carbone (Jerry O'Connell) is a hairdresser. His step-father, Sal Maggio (Christopher Walken), is the local Mob boss, always helping himself to Charlie's cash. Desperate for money to start over, Charlie agrees to help his friend, Louis Booker (Anthony Anderson), fence some stolen TVs.

Louis is not the most successful crook. The hapless pair lead the cops to Sal's warehouse and the loot. As punishment, they're sent to Outback Australia to deliver an envelope of cash to mysterious Mr Smith.

Sal knows they're unlikely to need the second half of the air ticket. On their road trip Charlie and Louis bowl a kangaroo and see a way out of their jam. They dress the kangaroo in Louis' jacket and snap a photo. The kangaroo revives and hops into the bush, wearing the jacket with 'guess what?' in a pocket.

Charlie and Louis spend the rest of the movie trying to find the kangaroo and the cash. Unfortunately the kangaroo is smarter than both of them. The story is lame, the acting hammy. Kids will enjoy the slapstick and the flatulent camels.

DVD features: movie (89min); commentary with director David McNally, stars Jerry O'Connell, Anthony Anderson, Estella Warren and visual effects supervisor Hoyt Yeatman; scene-specific commentary with Kangaroo Jack (Adam Garcia); features Casting Sessions' Uncut, Behind the Gas, Jackie Legs' Dance Grooves, Marsupial Magic; outtakes, cast and crew information, trailer.

DVD, video rental: September 10