Animal Kingdom is basically your typical crime drama. A newcomer comes into the “family” and is forced to respond – accept or reject what those around him are doing. On the surface this is exactly what David Michôd’s crime film is, but at the same time it is a gross understatement. Animal Kingdom is an excellent crime drama that stays within its genre, but tells its story very well.
The film begins with J (James Frecheville) moving in with his grandmom (Jacki Weaver) after his mother’s death. He shortly realizes why his mom kept him away from her family. J’s uncles are all deep in the criminal underworld; Craig (Sullivan Stapleton) is a dealer while Baz (Joel Edgerton), Pope (Ben Mendelsohn), and Darren (Luke Ford) specialize in armed robbery. Pope is on the run, and isn’t around much, while Baz is slowing trying to make himself into a legitimate business man. Unwittingly, J is sucked into this world of crime, and soon has two cops (Guy Pearce and Anthony Hayes) trying to get him to testify against his family.
Animal Kingdom looks great; the cinematography and production value are magnificent, especially taking into consideration the film’s relatively low budget. The soundtrack is also excellent, combining some original music such as the opening sequence, and familiar bands like Air Supply.
However, where the film really succeeds is in the characters. With little exposition, we meet every member of the family and quickly learn their part in the family. The story is written in such a skillful way that we are shown, not told, who all these people are. This allows the story to unfold unhindered by background information. However, these characters that drive the story would be nothing without fantastic performances from the entire cast. Every major player is backed by a good to great performance.
Another interesting thing about this movie is the violence. For a film about organized crime, there is very little actual violence. Yes, people are killed, but the movie purposefully holds back from copious fighting in order to keep the effect the same. When someone is murdered in this story, it means something. This is the opposite of the gratuitous violence seen in many recent films (which can be used to good effect if done right) and is a breath of fresh air.
So the story unfolds as an interesting crime drama. The bulk of the film is nothing new to any experienced filmgoer, but the audience is invested in the characters, so we go with them through their tale. If the audience didn’t buy into these characters, the story would have no weight. And, wow, does the end of the movie really resonate. After being what I considered the antithesis to The Godfather, in terms of message, the story is turned on its head and the protagonist is forced to make a choice. I was at first a little disappointed, but then the final moments of the film really bring the story to its logical, satisfying conclusion.
In the end, the themes are what matter. Animal Kingdom is a story that explores family loyalty, revenge, and the consequences of your actions. J is thrust into a very difficult situation and must make a place for himself in the “Animal Kingdom” of the Melbourne underworld.
Animal Kingdom surprised me. I had never heard of the film before I sat down to watch it, and I love going into a movie cold like that. Especially when you don’t know what to expect and a film pleasantly surprises you. Even if you have high expectations, this movie will not dissappoint. It is an excellent film, and while it is not an action-packed summer blockbuster, its a traditional crime drama that has emotional weight and should not be passed over.
Rating: 
