‘Kangaroo Jack
January 23, 2003
Nothing is redeeming about this predictable flop that’s staged in Australia about a rapping, smart-ass, stupid Kangaroo, and even dumber supporting actors.
Jerry O’Connell, plays the stepson (Charlie Carbone) of Christopher Walken, a known New York mob boss. An extremely annoying Anthony Anderson takes on the role of Louis Fucci, Carbone’s stooge-buddy, in a role that’s nearly as stimulating as watching slow-motion snail races.
-Fucci and Carbone are sent to Australia to deliver a $100,000 package to a hitman who is ordered by Walken to kill both Fucci and Carbone upon delivery. If only this were true, “Kangaroo Jack” would be a much more violent and entertaining film.
On their way to the drop-off point, Fucci and Carbone hit a kangaroo with their jeep. Thinking it’s really funny to take pictures with a dead animal, Fucci and Carbone dress the kangaroo (Jack) in a jacket stuffed with $100,000. Great thinking. Take a wild guess at what happens next.
Fucci and Carbone lose their bling-bling and begin chasing an instantly wealthy kangaroo by land and by air. The hitman and Walken’s flunkies also take chase, not after the kangaroo, but after the Moron Brothers.
Adult and child themes don’t mix well in “Kangaroo Jack.” An erotic waterfall scene with O’Connell and newcomer Estella Warren alienates the younger crowd, while stupid scenes involving rapping kangaroos alienate anyone over the age of 4.
Director David McNally (“Coyote Ugly”) couldn’t save this sinking ship of a movie with a life-preserver. Writers Steve Bing and Barry O’Brien wrote the worst screenplay in recent history, mixing scatological humor in between breast fondling sequences and a hair-thin plot line about a talking/rapping/super-intelligent kangaroo. Crikey.
“Kangaroo Jack,” is a confused and ultimately conflicted movie. Absolutely nothing in it works.
For Pete’s sake, it’s about a talking kangaroo.