The general ambiance of the film is acceptable - it's a 'boy's own' romp through the outback to rescue a fair maiden. The most outstanding quality belongs with the topography - the rugged terrain is almost a character in itself, providing a worthy obstacle and adversary, handled very well by the cinematographer, creating great vistas. The predominant colour here is green...which brings me to the acting ability of Ian Kelly. Rarely have I been so embarrassed with a compatriot's lack of skill. I sincerely wanted to curl up with shame. Whoever told this buffoon that he could act, needs speaking to. When we first encountered him and he uttered the opening of Hamlet's 'Quintessence of dust' soliloquy, I nearly fell off my chair, mouth agape. Surely this was a joke...and a pretty poor one too, considering the gravity of the subject matter. But no, Kelly was for real, he really did think that he was acting. Unbelievable! By the time he was hamming it up, (like no other could, even on a bad-stage day), near the end; wielding a gun and screaming like a banshee, the tears rolled down my cheeks. Absolutely fantastic - priceless. Think Alan Partridge playing Sylvester Stallone and you'll get the picture. All that money spent on the production and Kelly, a vortex of ineptitude, brings it crashing down. Wonderful.
Review of War
