Director Gregor Jordan doesn’t exactly squander his post-Buffalo Soldiers reputation with his take on the Outback outlaw. But the results are as mixed as some of its Oirish accents, with the romanticised mythologising, nature-based lyricism and rain-soaked shoot-outs never quite gelling.
Heath Ledger does okay as the formidable, furry-faced folk hero, turning in a vigorous performance as the farmhand bare-knuckle boxer and splendid Robin Hood-ish rebel. In tow is Orlando Bloom, his grizzly outlaw proving less successful than his elvish archer in Lord Of The Rings.
Combine that with a top-drawer supporting cast (Geoffrey Rush, Naomi Watts, Rachel Griffiths) being wasted on cut-out characters, and the film loses balance. Still, at least Jordan keeps it atmospheric with his eye for rugged landscapes, muddy roads and shabby suits.
DVD Extras:
Half-baked. Ned Kelly: Cultural Icon is a loftily intoned 15-minute featurette on Ned. It's always a laugh to hear Mick Jagger's accent in the 1970 Kelly movie, but were the hordes at Jordan's film's première really there in honour of Kelly's memory, as the doc claims, or because they had the horn for Heath and Orlando? You also get picture galleries, posters and set designs.
