30
As a drama this is rote, as a musical it's uninspired, and as a comedy it's adolescent; ultimately it's a mess, unsure what it wants to be.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
70
Los Angeles Times by Betsy Sharkey
It's almost impossible not to be swept up by the exuberant fun of this singing, dancing, irony-laced ode to the repression, reeducation and resistance of Australia's indigenous tribal peoples circa 1969.
60
The movie will make you tap your toes; don't expect much for your head or your heartstrings.
50
Offering blandly stereotypical characters in a trite road-trip narrative, it's genial but too silly for most grownups, and likely to impress few "High School Musical"-indoctrinated kids.
38
Washington Post by Michael O'Sullivan
So light and airy, it almost floats away on its own breeziness.
67
The movie builds goodwill doggedly, and then pays it all off with a farcical finale with a rousing message: We're all Aborigines! Who knew?
63
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
It isn't a masterpiece, but it is a good-hearted, sweet comedy, featuring an overland chase that isn't original but sure is energetic.
63
The songs are catchy. The lip-synching, meanwhile, is always a little off, and the dancing is usually average at best.