TrevorJD Review of Red Dog: True Blue

Red Dog: True Blue (2016)

A more personal story than the original

[8/10 · 26 December 2016]

This prequel to Red Dog is a more personal story than the original hit film. While it is not as humorous as Red Dog, it is still an entertaining family film and well worth seeing. The movie primarily follows the story of a young boy named Mick in 1969, who is sent to a remote homestead in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia to stay with his Grandfather, while his mother is recovering in a facility. Mick, while dealing with the remoteness of the region; and the remoteness of his grandfather (wonderfully played by Bryan Brown), stumbles across a red puppy, initially covered in blue slime , after a major storm. The film charts their journey, often humorously, in becoming best friends. Being set primarily in 1969 the film is filled with wonderful characters that often reflect the changing times - A young recently returned Vietnam soldier, who sings and plays guitar except when the dog howls with him which, much to his disdain, is often! A pretty female teacher who wants to go to San Francisco and be part of 'The Summer of Love' , and there is a wonderful Chinese cook who always walks around with an umbrella! More interesting are the characters reflecting the changing times within the region and Australia in general - particularly an Aboriginal Jackaroo who sees a future for his people in Aboriginal land rights; And a scene where Lang Hangcock , a friend of Mick's Grandad, stops in and tells a young Mick how there is a future in Iron Ore in the region! For it is not only in the Australian landscape and lingo that the film reflects Australia, but also in the social changes that were happening within the country at the time that would have impacts on the Australian economy, Aboriginal people, women, and the changing landscape of Australian politics and the land. The film may pack too much in its short running time but it's worth seeing.