Back to the Outback review: An Aussie Madagascar with a bunch of creepy-crawlies leading the pack

3/5

Story: Back to the Outback is the tale of a bunch of lesser-loved critters breaking out of an Australian zoo, in the hope of reuniting with their families. Along the way, though, they realise that the ones who love them no matter who or what they are, are already with them.

Review: Back to the Outback is not as big a production as Madagascar, but it definitely smacks of it as far as the basic plotline goes. While Alex the lion and co end up in Madagascar inadvertently, here, a bunch of critters – Jackie (Jacki Weaver) the crocodile, Medusa aka Maddie (Isla Fisher) the deadly Taipan snake, Frank (Guy Pearce) the hairy arachnid, Nigel (Angus Imrie) the scorpion and Zoe the thorny devil lizard (Miranda Tapsell) – who are the ‘monsters’ of an Australian zoo, where keeper Chaz (voiced by Eric Bana) makes no bones about how deadly and disgusting they are.

Deadly as they maybe, this rag-tag bunch feel utterly betrayed and things come to head when Jenny is removed from the zoo after an ‘alleged’ attack on Chaz’s son Chazzie (Diesel La Torraca). Jenny was only trying to help him when he fell in her enclosure, but all the humans could see was a deadly predator snapping at him. With Jackie gone, Maddie decides it’s time for the rest of them to leave too and breaks out, kidnapping enroute, the zoo favourite cuddly koala, Pretty Boy (Tim Minchin). Maddie and gang had heard so much about life in the outback from Jackie and set out to find their way back ‘home’. But with Chaz hot on the chase, getting there may be easier said than done.

Back to the Outback is a film that has its heart in the right place. The comparisons to Madagascar and every other Pixar production about the animal kingdom notwithstanding, this chase in the Australian outback is funny and tugs at your heartstrings. It takes a bit to get used to the hardcore Aussie dialect, but it’s also fun hearing it. And if you really pay attention, you may just find a pop star's voice in there. 

Verdict: If you lower your expectations a wee bit, you may find Back to the Outback just as interesting as any Pixar/Dreamworks film. The choice of protagonists in itself is a bold move and at the end of it all, you will be rooting for these cold-blooded, but heartwarming critters. It's a good family-time watch with the kids.