Kangaroo Jack

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Kangaroo Jack Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

A very bad movie -- shouldn't have been PG.

PG 2003 89 minutes
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 19 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 28 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the DVD cover suggests that a funny kangaroo is a large part of the movie, but it's a brief highlight that appears only in a fantasy sequence. The movie has a great deal of material parents might consider inappropriate for children, including peril, violence and gunplay, a stepfather who orders his stepson killed, drinking to excess seen as impressive, drinking portrayed as a way to cope with problems, violence, potty humor, and a co-ed swim in underwear that leads to kissing. There's a sexist joke and the black character is portrayed in "sidekick" terms with no interest in having any kind of independent life or relationships. The "happy" ending is somewhat sour as the only character who had been doing something to contribute to improving the world appears to have abandoned that completely for a life of hedonistic pleasure.

Community Reviews

nduns
nduns Adult
November 7, 2021
age 12+

Another film I liked as a kid and can’t explain why

For the inappropriate humour, it is worth note this was initially meant to be an adult film. But that doesn’t make it good. This movie is just unpleasant, a lot of it stemming from how unlikable the main lead is. There’s nothing wrong with having a flawed protagonist, but any development he undergoes is rushed and forced. When he meets his love interest, he immediately violates her and tries to justify it with “I thought I was hallucinating”. And then for no real reason, she later falls for him because Hollywood. The best friend isn’t much better as he’s super annoying and provides the film’s more crass humour. Because of this, I fully supported the villain as his plan to have them pay for their own assassination, while convoluted, is completely justified. But by far the biggest insult is the false advertising. Not only is Kangaroo Jack not the main character, but he only talks during a dream sequence and at the end when the film lampshades this. Sure, it would be dumb having a rapping kangaroo as the lead, but at least I can honestly say kids would enjoy that. I’m surprised I didn’t feel cheated by that. That said, there are a few things that work. For starters, there’s a legit reason for the lead to spend time with the annoying friend. I guess acquaintance is more correct as these two are only together out of obligation. I appreciate that. Also, the ending bit still gets a laugh out of me. But this is still a bad film.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Caelan100
Caelan100 Adult
November 23, 2020
age 13+

Inappropriate for kids

This movie has some very inappropriate scenes like this guy grabs some girl’s private part and there were a lot of inappropriate scenes

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 19 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Jerry O'Connell plays Charlie, the hairdresser stepson of Sal, a Brooklyn mob boss (Christopher Walken). His best friend is Louis (Anthony Anderson), who constantly wheedles him into all kinds of messes by reminding him of the time he saved Charlie's life when they were both eight years old. Charlie and Louis accidentally lead the police to a mob stash of stolen goods. Sal tells them that he would have them killed, but because of Charlie's mother, he is giving them another chance. He sends them to Australia with $50,000 cash, to be delivered to "Mr. Smith." Charlie and Louis hit a kangaroo with their jeep, and, thinking it is dead, dress it up in Louis' jacket to take pictures. But it hops away with the jacket -- and the $50,000, which is in the pocket. Charlie and Anthony chase after the kangaroo while they are being chased by Mr. Smith and the mob guys from back home.

Is It Any Good?

KANGAROO JACK is not just a very bad movie; it is a very bad movie that shows how inadequately the MPAA rating system handles the kinds of materials that are of concern to parents. This movie received a PG rating despite "humor" about topics that include masturbation, homosexuality, drinking and drunkenness, epilepsy, murder, grabbing a woman's breasts, the famous case where a dingo (wild Australian dog) ate a baby, a hit ordered by a mob boss on his stepson, and the ever-popular camel flatulence.

The action sequences are poorly staged, the jokes are staged even more poorly, the montages to rock music have no energy, and the acting ranges from mediocre to dreadful. Estella Warren, who plays the love interest, cannot act. The best performance is unquestionably that of the computer folks who designed the CGI kangaroo. Two positive notes are the long and and loyal inter-racial friendship and a strong, independent, brave, and capable woman.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Louis thought that the only reason Charlie stayed with him was because he saved Charlie's life. Why does Charlie blame himself for his mother's marrying Sal? What should Charlie have done differently?

Movie Details

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