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I don't remember any other time that I've gone to see a movie, with barely a clue of what it's about, simply for the pleasure of a pretty co-star. But Orlando is one hell of a pretty co-star.
It was not at all what I expected. I'm not familiar with Ned Kelly and I anticipated a happy ending which, if you know anything about Ned Kelly, isn't in the cards.
I think what bothered me the most is that I never quite identified with the Kelly gang or bought into what they were "fighting" for. I understand that Ned was reluctant to take those first few lives and he was fighting for his personal freedom and his family but the movie never drew me into the idea that he was fighting for a larger cause. I also had issues with Geoffrey Rush's character. I want the "villain" to have a real background with the protagonist that motivates him but I didnt' see that here. Rush was sent in to capture/kill a gang that had killed three police officers. His missing was quite valid. Though, perhaps that's part of the point.
Parts of the movie reminded me a lot of "Bonnie & Clyde." A gang that, inadvertently, ends up running from the law with no potential for a happy ending. But Ned Kelly certainly lacked the punch of the ending of B&C. The most emotional scene, for me, was the scene with the two guys (don't remember their names) in the inn when the fire was ranging and they realized they weren't going to make it out alive. That broke me a bit...perhaps because, of everyone, they were innocents drawn into the nightmare through friendship.
I can't say I'd recommend the film but I'm quite smitten with Orlando. And about the boy, I'm ready for his chance to shine. Everything he's done so far has been second billing to a more captivating character. Legolas was part of such a large ensemble...Will Turner was lost whenever Jack Sparrow was on screen...Heath Ledger was clearly the star of "Ned Kelly"...and he's got to compete with Brad Pitt in "Troy." I'm hopeful that "Kalcium Kid" gives him the chance to show what he can really do. And, if it turns out he's just a pretty face, I'll probably continue to fork over my $10 to stare at him on screen.
It was not at all what I expected. I'm not familiar with Ned Kelly and I anticipated a happy ending which, if you know anything about Ned Kelly, isn't in the cards.
I think what bothered me the most is that I never quite identified with the Kelly gang or bought into what they were "fighting" for. I understand that Ned was reluctant to take those first few lives and he was fighting for his personal freedom and his family but the movie never drew me into the idea that he was fighting for a larger cause. I also had issues with Geoffrey Rush's character. I want the "villain" to have a real background with the protagonist that motivates him but I didnt' see that here. Rush was sent in to capture/kill a gang that had killed three police officers. His missing was quite valid. Though, perhaps that's part of the point.
Parts of the movie reminded me a lot of "Bonnie & Clyde." A gang that, inadvertently, ends up running from the law with no potential for a happy ending. But Ned Kelly certainly lacked the punch of the ending of B&C. The most emotional scene, for me, was the scene with the two guys (don't remember their names) in the inn when the fire was ranging and they realized they weren't going to make it out alive. That broke me a bit...perhaps because, of everyone, they were innocents drawn into the nightmare through friendship.
I can't say I'd recommend the film but I'm quite smitten with Orlando. And about the boy, I'm ready for his chance to shine. Everything he's done so far has been second billing to a more captivating character. Legolas was part of such a large ensemble...Will Turner was lost whenever Jack Sparrow was on screen...Heath Ledger was clearly the star of "Ned Kelly"...and he's got to compete with Brad Pitt in "Troy." I'm hopeful that "Kalcium Kid" gives him the chance to show what he can really do. And, if it turns out he's just a pretty face, I'll probably continue to fork over my $10 to stare at him on screen.
