Oddball

A lovable based on a true story family movie that's partly filmed in one of the worlds most naturally beautiful locations and most livable cities (no bias here at all) in the form of regional Australian city Warrnambool, Oddball is a film that's enjoyable for the young and young at heart and one of the better Australian feel good stories in some time. A huge success at the local Australian box office in the later half of 2015, and in particular in the town of Warrnambool where Oddball played at the local cinema for 3 months, Oddball's the type of film even the biggest of movie grouches will have fun with despite its slight narrative and overacting from a talented cast. A dramatization of eccentric chicken farmer and genuine "oddball" Alan 'swampy' Marsh, Oddball sees one of Australia's great larrikin characters Shane Jacobson inhabit the overalls of the great bearded man who developed the ingenious idea of using Maremma sheep dogs to protect a local fairy penguin colony that had been decimated by pesky foxes. It's a unique scenario but not one that exactly makes for thrilling viewing and Oddball's major struggles come from trying to draw dramatic tension from a simple idea that just doesn't have the cinematic qualities of other such true tales. Well respected actors Sarah Snook (breakout star of Predestination), Alan Tudyk and even Australian comedy legend Frank Woodley all feel a little lost with some pretty lame supporting characters. Oddball flys on the back of Jacobson's work, young actress Coco Jack Gillies likability, the great locations and of course the lovable animals that make penguins and fluffy dogs even more adorable than one would've thought possible. A film that's appropriate for all ages and a tale that has appeal for animal lovers the world over, Oddball is a slight yet wholeheartedly enjoyable Australian film that's likely to become a new favourite of the youngest members of the family and an Australian film that holds a more universal appeal than the average homegrown movie. 3 Great Ocean Road shots out of 5

The precept for this story was brilliant, the casting was predictable but the direction was just woefully short of the mark. This simple little story about a dog rescuing the day, became entwined in an impossibly unbelievable romance, all for the sake of an unlikeable single mum and her implausible relationship with a US Event Manager!? And somewhere at the end, an unknown hero presents himself inebriated but utterly devoid of any character or plot development as the not very well developed heroine's final love interest. All this at the expense of her daughter, a canine hero, an endangered species and a pathetic portrayal of an eccentric chicken farmer; (no offense Shane). Well, this is what happens when Australian government officers get involved in making feature films! Everything is about Tourism, isn't it?

Ah, the trouble with having to make a movie last 90 minutes. At its core, "Oddball" is a wonderful story. Swampy Marsh (marvellously played by Shane Jacobson), is a widowed chicken farmer with a lovable but trouble-prone dog (Oddball); while his conservationist daughter is struggling with a penguin colony being decimated by foxes. Marsh has an inspiration - get Oddball to guard penguins from foxes, in the same way his other dogs guard his chickens. It works brilliantly, and along the way he bonds with his granddaughter and daughter. Unfortunately, this story would struggle to stretch to an hour. So the movie is padded out with a rather formulaic sub-plot about a rival business having a vested interest in the penguin colony's demise. This sub-plot also resolves rather strangely and abruptly. Yes I recommend this movie, for the performance of Jacobsen, some very touching family scenes between the three main characters, and the delightful dog and penguins. But I wish the sub-plot wasn't there, or at least was handled differently.

I love true, meaningful & entertaining movie, and this movie is one of them. The love & trust of the owner to the dog, the responsibility & loyalty from the dog, how the family bonded again, & the great part is dog's owner put it's talent on the right place, let it shine and rise. Great movie inspires & touches our souls, and this dog reminds me that everyone of us is gifted with an unique gift when we are born. It is okay to be an oddball and different from others, when we let it shine and rise, it can impact and do good for the world.

Oddball is very well-written and will keep you engaged throughout! The film has moments of tears and moments of laughter as our hearts all unite to despise the villain and love the hero. Adults and children alike will enjoy this production, and more than likely will identify with one of its diverse lineup of characters who each did a fantastic job portraying their role in the film. Swampy is the widow of a wildlife sanctuary manager and has a daughter, Emily, who is trying deeply to continue her mother's legacy on the Middle Island penguin sanctuary. Her daughter and Swampy's granddaughter, Olivia, is a too cute proponent of saving the penguins and has a sense of vision and optimism that only a child can render. Her and Swampy's beloved dog, Oddball, is the star of her plan. The town's mayor, judge, and city council all play into the roller coaster of events that try to sabotage the preservation of the sanctuary, which has an unlikely villain working to destroy it's existence, and the feel-good outcome.

Such a great (true) story. I kinda wish they hadn't made it as a kids' movie. They should have hauled Morgan Freeman out of his mansion and made him do it in the vein of March of the Penguins. But, I guess kids need movies too. Maybe. An excellent kids' movie that can also serve as a feel-good movie for grown ups in troubling times.

The great thing is that it is based on a true story. I have never heard about this before since I live far away from Australia, but there was indeed a chicken farmer who trained his dog to protect penguins from foxes and let the colony flourish. The movie adds more fictional elements to make it an adventure story. It would be mainly interesting for kids but adults can watch it with them without a problem and enjoy it. The acting is good. No real overacting as often happens in the genre of family movies. Shane Jacobson is great as a farmer and there is definitely a rising talent there when it comes to the child actress Coco Jack Gillies. And in addition to humans we also get the pleasure to watch the adorable penguins and the dog in it that add a lot of fun to the movie. And of course it is filmed in the beautiful setting of Australia. If you have kids I would recommend it. Kids usually love animals and it also has a great message of conservation that may inspire them for the future.

This is a great little film! I wasn't sure what to expect before I saw it but it turned out to be quite the very pleasant surprise. The acting was good, with apparently really well-known Australian actors who would equal "A-Lister's" in the United States. I particularly enjoyed the performance of the young actress Coco Jack Gillies--she was really good for such a young performer. I will show this film to my children as soon as I can. I think they will easily be able to grasp the idea that some things are worth fighting/sacrificing for. This film has something for everyone... kids and animals with a sweet story keeps the kids entertained and the adult issues plus the animal drama keeps the adults engaged. I highly recommend this film to anyone wanting to see a great family film. Deals with loss, divorce (indirectly), forgiveness, honor, etc. Just a really nice film!

In a small Australian town, thousands of penguins would nest on Middle Island every year. Then foxes discover the island and the colony of penguins gets devastated. There are only 20 left. In order to maintain their sanctuary status, they need at least 10. Their savior comes in the form of eccentric chicken farmer Swampy Marsh (Shane Jacobson) and his dog Oddball. After all, penguins are just chickens in tuxedos. I love the simple dog saves penguins idea. The rest of the family drama and whale watching drama feels manufactured. The movie is manufacturing a villain and it's not good at it. I can live with the family drama if it's done a bit better. I do like the late mother being the origins story. Much of the story feels like a weaker 80's movie. I'm not opposed to making up a fictional story for this feel-good situation. I am opposed to doing it badly.