Animal Kingdom is a solid crime film with solid enough performances. No one particularly stands out from the crowd as everyone seems to play their roles very well. There are definitely a lot of fine shocks along the way that keep the film from falling into the typical crime film. Plus the ending, while justifiable, still opens up a lot to think about. ***

One of the ten best films of 2010. A compelling, well-crafted crime drama with fantastic performances. I would argue Jacki Weaver stands out. As the matriarch of a Melbourne crime family, she delivers a stunning performance both sweet and ferocious. Her presence is felt in every scene, even ones she's not in. The fact she might miss an Oscar nomination in favor of Mila Kunis in Black Swan just turns my stomach. I also loved Guy Pearce's turn; such an underrated actor.

The film just hits so many perfect notes. It's a crime saga (complete with exciting chase scenes), yet it's also a (sinister, poignant) coming-of-age story. The milieu feels -so- real.

A

It ain't that good.

Oh, but it is.

I thought this was absolutely fantastic. Watching it this morning and thought the case as a whole did a fantastic job and it was very fast paced and had a ton of twists and turns. It's not only a crime film, it's one about family and it was utterly fantastic.

10/10

Wow. Shit just went down!! Loved loved this movie. Thrilling and suspenseful; well damn made. Jack Weaver is badass and I am so rooting for her now.

ANIMAL KINGDOM - 9/10 (A)

An incredible crime drama. It's hard to believe this is writer-director David Michod's first feature film. He's definitely one to watch. Jacki Weaver is great and very deserving of her Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination, and I thought James Frecheville was really good in the lead.

One of the year's best and highly recommended.

Second to all that. I really, really liked it post-viewing but I'm kind of growing to love it. A whole bunch.

Supposedly this was originally 155 minutes long. Would LOVE to see this get a Director's Cut. Such a great movie. I thought THE TOWN was great, but this blows it out of the water, IMO. It's a shame this wasn't given a bigger push here in the US. I think mainstream audiences would love it.

I wonder if any of the cut scenes are set inside the courtroom, with 'J' throwing the case.

If anyone cares, this is on sale on Amazon for $7.99. The cheapest I've ever seen it. I just ordered it.

Great deal!

Still want a Director's Cut .

Animal Kingdom

So, this was a surprise! Very good and engrossing Australian crime thriller from the director of The Rover (which is what he followed with and it wasn't as good). Guy Pearce is awesome as always. Joel Edgerton didn't do much but it's always great to see him at work. Jacki Weaver was absolutely fantastic. Such a callous, evil bitch underneath the exterior of a grandma. Great performance. And the underrated Ben Mendelsohn also shines. He is one of the industry's best at being the unpredictable, simmering psycho.

So all-in-all, a very good crime thriller. One that deals with relationships and acquisition more than usual crime conventions such as bank robberies, violence, spending sprees etc. It feels much more low-key, perhaps also treating the viewer with a brain.

B+

Interestingly, I had avoided the film for years because from the cover I just perceived it as one of those Kidulthood flicks. It wasn't until recently that I actually saw it for download and checked it out that I realised what it was.