Storm Boy (2019)

"There’s merit in the idea of remaking Storm Boy, if not the execution. The last at bat was in 1976, when director Henri Safran crafted a minor – yet beloved – classic of Australian cinema out of Colin Thiele’s 1964 children’s novel. Unfortunately, judging by Shawn Seet’s 21st century effort, that may not be a trick that can be pulled off twice."

"Handsomely filmed in earthy tones by DP Bruce Young, and never once looking like a tourism promo reel, “Storm Boy” is crafted with care and class."

"Not even a beloved pelican can save this epic downer."

"Storm Boy fails to fly because it's saddled with too many ideas, agendas and narratives."

"Storm Boy’s lengthy flashbacks never feel like a straightforward rehash of the initial film, which has long been an Australian primary school mainstay."

"There is something elemental about Storm Boy — but there’s probably just not enough story to stretch the running time. It’s more like a series of vignettes that soar but bundled together feels flat."

"You have to wonder what Thiele (who died in 2006) would have thought about this softened overhaul, which mostly serves to make the original film feel like even more of what has been called an 'iconic classic.'"