Charlie & Boots (2010)

Let's be realistic.

Good movie but grossly overrated

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

When Charlie's (Paul Hogan) wife dies of a stroke on their 45th wedding anniversary he is consumed by grief. His estranged son, Boots (Shane Jacobson) decides both should go on a cross country fishing trip that might also help them to reconnect.At first Charlie is not keen on the 3000 miles trip to Cape York, but Boots is persistent and Charlie's grief slowly ebbs away. They meet up with a pretty hitch-hiker with boyfriend trouble, Boots has a wild ride in a rodeo, Charlie attracts the attention of a few older women and they have a dicey plane ride.Hogan plays it low key however it might just be the botox that has robbed him of his expressions. The film has a leisurely stroll to some picturesque settings, there is some gentle humour but all this Americana influences in the Australian rural setting with rodeos and country music rings hollow.

(46%) A perfectly watchable, very Australian comedy/drama road movie that at times steps a little too close to schmaltz and predictability, but thanks to its sheer simplicity and gentle nature this is near impossible to dislike. The two leads are likable with Shane Jacobson playing a typical Ozzie bloke very well, largely I suspect because he is one, with his on- screen father played by Paul Hogan providing ample old git style humour proving he hasn't lost his good comic timing over the years. This would nave benefited from a trim down by about 15-20 minutes, but all in all an unremarkable tale of father, son, and family life.

If you are wanting an easy, enjoyable, Aussie road trip movie, spend 2 hours with Charlie & Boots. The movie moves along at a nice pace, has tender moments and plenty of laugh out loud moments. It also has some beautiful scenery and cinematography. Don't go into it expecting any kind of Hollywood movie, it is a true Australian movie, understated, funny and overall very entertaining. Most Australians will be able to relate to something throughout this movie.. We were very pleasantly surprised and glad we watched it. Keep watching until the credits end.

The iconic (in Australia) Paul Hogan, Crocodile Dundee himself, returns to the big screen in a fairly good comedy/drama which is essentially a road trip that tourism Australia would relish. Charlie is grieving the loss of his wife and is taken by his estranged son Boots, on a trip up to north Queensland. Their ambition is to go fishing at the most northern tip of the country in Cape York. Along the way through Victoria, into New South Wales and up in Queensland they visit many famous locales. The banter between the two is great, they have good chemistry. Shane Jacobson as Boots is best known as Toilet cleaner Kenny, a popular Aussie comedy of the same name There is some amusing, but obviously set up comical moments, especially involving one very butch female truck driver and her attention towards Charlie. Over all, seeing this with a big crowd as I did will help the ambiance of the laid back jokes. There are some serious moments, but not many beyond sentimental family issues. The young hitchhiker is the best inclusion of the story. A travelogue of sorts disguised as a movie, but stay on during the credits for a sly remark from Hoges when crossing the Sydney harbor Bridge, a place where he once worked as a painter.