The Real Macaw

This is a good movie for kid up to 12 or 13. While it is a bit predictable, most kid's movies tend to be. We enjoyed this movie and I'd recommend it. If an older child has experience with birds, I think they would enjoy it at any age.

CAUTION: If you want to purchase this movie you have to know what your video equipment can handle, and also accept that the 'star' who does the voice of the macaw seems to be different if you view the original Australian version vs. the U.S. version.

I bought the DVD here in the U.S. and found that it would not play on a brand new (11/2006) DVD player, or on my kids DVD game player. Both machines come up with something like "Wrong country code". When I played the DVD on the home computer a similar message came up but then we were allowed to change the country code for viewing on that PC. My macaw-owning friend was able to play my DVD on her home DVD player (perhaps her's was a higher-end DVD player.) Check your DVD player to make sure that you can CHANGE the country code for viewing the DVD version of this movie.

I'm not sure, but I don't think there is a U.S. version of the DVD. I think the only U.S version that I could find was on VHS tape.

I think the U.S. version might be obnoxious. I gather that John Goodman was hired to replace the voice-over of the macaw. I'm not sure he would be good in that role and from the postings I see here, they seem to agree. I have a feeling that the original Australian actor is a better fit.

We liked the movie!