Better than Australia...but misses the mark

Rating: 6/10 (25 December 2008)

In the past four days, we have seen four movies. Milk, Australia, Slumdog Millionaire and Benjamine Button. Of the four, the "blockbusters" were the weakest. Both Australia and Button are FAR too long, and pull from previous films for their content and concepts.
While I loved the performances of both Pitt and Blanchett, the story is just too long (especially when it was derived from a F. Scott Fitzgerald short story). I wanted it to go somewhere. The "big twist" was telegraphed in a zillion ways. Beautiful faces and places...but not much more to offer.
If you have a choice between all of the films out during the holiday season, see Slumdog Millionaire. FAR better movie-- original, great story, moving, and not a lick of CGI or special effects.