We've all heard some of those "little Johnny" jokes; now we can discover their origin. Little Johnny is a new animated biopic cum mockumentary that discovers the "real boy" behind the jokes, and also looks at his dysfunctional family that provided the inspiration for much of the timeless humour. The film itself is the brainchild of Ralph Moser, his co-director Dean Murphy, and screenwriter Stewart Fainchey, who have a long established partnership. The three have worked together on a number of films, including two with Paul Hogan - Strange Bedfellows and the recent Charlie And Boots. Moser comes from a background in production design, having worked on a number of local productions, including Let's Get Skase, Sensitive New Age Killer, Hating Alison Ashley, and Till Human Voices Wake Us. Moser also experienced working on large scale Hollywood productions, including Where The Wild Things Are, which was filmed in Melbourne, and Russell Mulcahy's television remake of On The Beach. He makes his directorial debut with Little Johnny, and his background certainly helps shape the look of the film. Little Johnny is deliberately very retro in style, and the animation is reminiscent of those old Merry Melodies cartoons and Saturday afternoon matinees. This is in keeping with the old fashioned feel of the film, which is set in a more innocent time. However, Little Johnny is certainly not for young kids, given the level of profanity, and ribald adult humour. This is more Fritz The Cat than Bugs Bunny! Little Johnny is set in the small town of Gallangatta, and introduces us to Johnny, his younger brother and his ultra-conservative parents. The film itself is little more than a string of jokes – many of them rude, most familiar, and some very funny. Thus we get Johnny at home, Johnny at school, Johnny hanging out with his best friend Roger, and Johnny down on the farm with his uncle Kev. These scenarios all lend themselves effortlessly to a string of punch lines. But what passes for narrative here offers another variation on the classic coming of age tale as Johnny tries to win the affection of classmate Mary (voiced by Eloise Grace), and woo her away from his rival, the handsome rebel Jason. His only chance of success is by winning the annual billy cart race. And his mentor Uncle Kevin tries to save his farm from becoming insolvent due to his inability to repay a bank loan. Legendary comedian Kevin Wilson provides the voice of Uncle Kev, who swears like a trooper, and he is basically playing himself on screen as a lovable Australian larrikin. In much the same way that Nancy Cartwright provides the distinctive voice for Bart Simpson in the long running cartoon series, a female provides the voice for the title character here. Genevieve Morris, who is better known to television audiences as Barbara in the series of ANZ bank ads, is perfectly cast as little Johnny, and plays him with an irreverent sense of humour that is engaging. Little Johnny has its flaws, but many will find it a moderately amusing film.
9 Reviews
Hilarious movie filled with vulgar and crude jokes
Lugewi21 April 2012
Let's get some things straight, this movie ain't for those sensitive types of people. Hell no, "Little Johnny the Movie" aims to outrageously make people cringe at the sounds of those aimless jokes.
Vulgarity aside, this movie is pretty funny. Jokes about sex, love, family, and whole lot of other stuff make it worthwhile to watch. It's like an Australian version of South Park but doesn't seem too preachy. The movie doesn't take itself too seriously which makes it more fun. It has silly moments and even sillier characters.
Now the plot itself is simple enough. Johnny wants to win the Soapbox Derby to buy himself a bike to win over his love. But problems arose when his Uncle has no more money for the farm and Johnny's intentions on winning suddenly shift to saving his uncle's life.
The accents may ward off some viewers though. You can clearly hear the thick Australian accents from the voice actors which may confuse some. But aside from that, this movie is a recommended viewing over and over again.
Vulgarity aside, this movie is pretty funny. Jokes about sex, love, family, and whole lot of other stuff make it worthwhile to watch. It's like an Australian version of South Park but doesn't seem too preachy. The movie doesn't take itself too seriously which makes it more fun. It has silly moments and even sillier characters.
Now the plot itself is simple enough. Johnny wants to win the Soapbox Derby to buy himself a bike to win over his love. But problems arose when his Uncle has no more money for the farm and Johnny's intentions on winning suddenly shift to saving his uncle's life.
The accents may ward off some viewers though. You can clearly hear the thick Australian accents from the voice actors which may confuse some. But aside from that, this movie is a recommended viewing over and over again.
Funny but not for children !
master-darkboy1 December 2011
Before watching this Comedy Animation i was just expecting a weak movie but when i see it I found out that this is one of the greatest Comedy Animation titles that of course you can enjoy but it certainly isn't suitable for children because of it's content . This animation is full of the jokes that we all are interested in . Besides what this movie is trying to show is not just what it looks like . It has a whole different main idea that it wanna show the effort of a boy who is trying to win a race and be able to purchase his favorite Bicycle and help his uncle. Except the Simple Graphic work , This Movie is just Beautiful and Of course they have a long way to make this movies general.
Funny, Crude, but "VERY ENJOYABLE"
michaelradny5 August 2011
There isn't much to say about "Little Johnny", but this ultra-funny cartoon spoof of Australian life really give you a good laugh. It is both entertaining and amazing to watch. The Little Johnny jokes are passed around in this movie so much that it just makes you laugh until you explode. It is one of the best Aussie Animations I have seen in a long time and it sure does deserve the support of the Australians to make this an ultimate classic.
When I went to watch this film, I was expecting corny and horrific language throughout. But I was pleasantly surprised when it used creative humor to make you feel good inside. This is the best comedy out there at the moment.
Fantastic movie, I give it a 5/5. - Michael Radny
When I went to watch this film, I was expecting corny and horrific language throughout. But I was pleasantly surprised when it used creative humor to make you feel good inside. This is the best comedy out there at the moment.
Fantastic movie, I give it a 5/5. - Michael Radny
Adult Movie with Children's Jokes
drunkard-11 May 2014
I had to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming when I read the other (positive) reviews.
I am a huge fan of Kevin Bloody Wilson and I watched this movie because he was in it. The problem is that there is nothing new. The whole movie (or at least as much of it as I was able to drag myself through) is just a string of all the old Little Johnny jokes that we told each other in primary school, i.e. they are not really that funny as an adult.
With all the swearing, it's definitely not for children so cut out the only audience that would laugh and now where's the comedy? If you have never heard any little Johnny jokes, then you will probably enjoy it, but if you are familiar with the character, then don't waste your time.
I am a huge fan of Kevin Bloody Wilson and I watched this movie because he was in it. The problem is that there is nothing new. The whole movie (or at least as much of it as I was able to drag myself through) is just a string of all the old Little Johnny jokes that we told each other in primary school, i.e. they are not really that funny as an adult.
With all the swearing, it's definitely not for children so cut out the only audience that would laugh and now where's the comedy? If you have never heard any little Johnny jokes, then you will probably enjoy it, but if you are familiar with the character, then don't waste your time.
Kevin Bloody Wilson Made A Movie!
mag65817 September 2011
Having made Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson's Christmas album pretty much compulsory annual listening I was curious as to what would happen ought said inspiration result in a cartoon. Unfamiliar myself with the whole 'Little Johnny' series of jokes, I kind of went on into this one based solely on an idea of Wilson's humour. There I was not disappointed. If you want to see dunny gags and schoolchildren using the F-word inappropriately this is going to be quite (and repeatedly) rewarding and on this basis alone I wholeheartedly recommend it.
That said, it's a bit long. To meet feature length, they really pushed their 80 minutes, but a 45 minute 'special' on one of those FoxTel channels that doesn't mind the foul language might have been a better bet (and maybe better funded!). A series of amusing but non-topical jokes and some antics involving a rooster pad the time but detract (my partner fell asleep) from the core premise of the work: Johnny wants to win a go-cart race to get the girl.
That last bit does go entertainingly well besides the maddening insistence to apply Motion- rendered DOF to animation. I like my cartoons depth-of-field free.
There's a few tasteless but yet chronically appropriate ethnic jokes (and I think one gay one) and it makes families from the 1960's a bit less spank-happy when they were (I grew up in the late 1970's and had my hide tanned seemingly daily for crying out loud!) but generally, it was a fun if perhaps unnecessarily extended ride, and I give it 7 out of 10.
That said, it's a bit long. To meet feature length, they really pushed their 80 minutes, but a 45 minute 'special' on one of those FoxTel channels that doesn't mind the foul language might have been a better bet (and maybe better funded!). A series of amusing but non-topical jokes and some antics involving a rooster pad the time but detract (my partner fell asleep) from the core premise of the work: Johnny wants to win a go-cart race to get the girl.
That last bit does go entertainingly well besides the maddening insistence to apply Motion- rendered DOF to animation. I like my cartoons depth-of-field free.
There's a few tasteless but yet chronically appropriate ethnic jokes (and I think one gay one) and it makes families from the 1960's a bit less spank-happy when they were (I grew up in the late 1970's and had my hide tanned seemingly daily for crying out loud!) but generally, it was a fun if perhaps unnecessarily extended ride, and I give it 7 out of 10.
It needed to be made by someone.
GiraffeDoor20 November 2019
I like the idea, I really do, but I don't think they thought this through.
It's clear how deliberately they have integrated the jokes into the script, the plot itself being sadly rather off brand.
The animation is basic but has a simple warmth with its autumnal colours and actors that at last sound like they're having a good time.
I see why this movie is free on the internet. It feels like some friends just make this on their time off because that's probably near enough what it is but by that standard is slightly better than it has any right to be.
It's clear how deliberately they have integrated the jokes into the script, the plot itself being sadly rather off brand.
The animation is basic but has a simple warmth with its autumnal colours and actors that at last sound like they're having a good time.
I see why this movie is free on the internet. It feels like some friends just make this on their time off because that's probably near enough what it is but by that standard is slightly better than it has any right to be.
A Throwback from the Good Old Wrong Days.
georgepanagiotis7627 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Stumbling across this little gem I was surprised by it's originality and wonderful setting which feels like the cartoons of the 50's 60's without updating material for the the sake of being 'cool'. Those who remember the sixties will find much here that is pleasantly familiar, from characters, design, music, and socio political attitudes of the time (some of them not particularly politically correct). The gags come thick and fast and perhaps, you may have heard some of them before in one variation or another but there are others that you don't see coming and they're great! For any fan of the jokes you will not be disappointed and for those who don't, it may not be for you. The documentary style intro is a unique approach to this kind material and ingeniously sets up the lead characters and inserts them into the storyline set in a bizarre outback Australian town known as Gallangatta. The plot is simple, saccharine sweet and imbued with an innocence that offsets the otherwise bawdy humor. Little Johnny becomes convinced that if he wins a soapbox derby that he will be also able to to win the heart of Little Mary, the classroom beauty. Along the way, his Uncle, Kevin, offers him well intentioned but hilariously misguided and inappropriate advice. The Australian accents are thick and full of colloquialisms that may alienate some viewers but at the same time make this a genuine oddity that celebrates not only the jokes but an era when these types of jokes were only told behind closed doors and with impolite company! A very funny throwback from the good old wrong days!
Just what we need.
dhyoungnz6 May 2022
In a world full of Political Correctness little Johnny is just what we need. The plot isn't that great, but it doesn't need to be, it's not a film you watch for the plot. It's something you watch when you've had a s**t week or on the p**s. It's got great humour and honestly is actually quite tame compared to other things these days.
Kevin Wilson was a great cameo and while it would have been nice to have seen more of him he doesn't steal the show. Although it would have been nice when little Johnny is writing to Santa to reference the Hey Santa Clause song.
Kevin Wilson was a great cameo and while it would have been nice to have seen more of him he doesn't steal the show. Although it would have been nice when little Johnny is writing to Santa to reference the Hey Santa Clause song.
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