The Real Macaw (1998) User Reviews

Excellent children's entertainment

[jaak-2 · 9 June 1999]

I enjoyed this children's film - have a feeling that the new parrot film 'Paulie' has taken the idea from 'The Real Macaw'and rounded it out from a straightforward children's adventure movie to a full on family movie. Both films are excellent, but Paulie can be watched by everyone, whereas the 'Real Macaw' is definitely more of adventure film for the little ones.

Both good family entertainment.

Polly got wogged.

[mark.waltz · 3/10 · 26 July 2022]

I'll give John Goodman credit. He was able to disguise his voice so the macaw didn't even sound like him, and probably hoping that this would come and go so there'd be no further association with it. I had high hopes for the family comedy about a talking parrot who knows the location of a very treasure in the middle of the South Pacific on what used to be a tropical paradise and is now of course a tourist trap. For the legendary Jason Robards, he's allowed his dignity as the very American father of the Australian Joe Petruzzi and grandfather of Jamie Croft, with Mrs. Hugh Jackman (Debra Lee Furness) as the daughter-in-law.

Petruzzi is completely insufferable as the dad, with Furness the stereotypical perfect mom. Croft manages to come off unscathed in spite of his obnoxious companion who may be adorable looking but thanks to his human voice deserves to be served with a chestnut stuffing. Croft and the bird are followed to the island by an evil museum curator (British character actor John Waters, no relation to the cult director) to find the treasure, and eventually Cross's family (including Robards) heads there too.

This is definitely made for children under the age of 10 and parents who have to suffer through such juvenile humor, but it quickly wears out it's welcome for everybody else because the dialogue the bird continues to spout just isn't funny. It's very bizarre that everybody on this South Pacific island has an Australian accent, showing poor detail. All this does is indicate that there are Australian Asians. The film is certainly colorful, but It suffers in a lack of imagination and after a while becomes truly aggravating to try to get through.

I laughed, I cried, I Loved It.

[garfield2710 · 7/10 · 19 April 2006]

This movie is really great and I loved it. I laughed when the Parrot usually spoke. The Parrot is the funniest character and I'm sure you will agree. This is a very good movie and I would recommend it for kids ages 5-12. If you like, Parrots, Buried Treasure, and the search of it you will enjoy this movie. With the voice of John Goodman as Mac. I'm telling this movie is great. I almost cried when Mac almost died of being burned to a crisp. I thought he was dead and then he lived through the explosion. Dramatic and funny. This is a very good movie and I hope you will or have enjoyed the movie. As I said, "I laughed, I cried, I Loved It." This movie will make you do all 3. Thanks for reading my comment.

Good family fun

[TonyF · 7/10 · 1 May 1999]

I really did not want to see this movie. But my kids wanted to watch so I sat with them. I'm glad I stayed. The affects and story line were interesting and my children liked it. Good enough for me. Use your kids to rent this one for yourself, or borrow some for the experience.

The Perfect Parrot

[Parrot · 7/10 · 3 January 1999]

An amusing, enjoyable Australian family movie about a 149 year old talking parrot with a Spanish accent. The parrot tries to help solve its owners financial problems by going on an adventure to find lost treasure on a once deserted tropical island now a resort spot. As a parrot keeper myself I loved the bird and thought the movie was fun. It would be ideal for kids but adults should be able to laugh along too. The parrot is the star of the show but the actors put in some solid performances as well.

Two versions available

[clifton-18 · 10/10 · 20 November 2006]

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!

A direct to vhs hidden treasure

[notmadeofglass · 7/10 · 25 February 2019]

Its one of the movies i watched as a wee ladd. Both me and my little brother agree now even as adults that it really is a good movie. Take it at face value, but goodman as mac is honestly something nobody can say they regret seeing. A personal favorite moment of mine would be the bird getting drunk on rum cake, and the song 'treasure in you'? Absolutely spine tingling. A highly reccomended watch if you can ever find it anywhere. I will be in front of the old crt watching this old copy on vhs until i find it elsewhere

Parrot Owners And Young Kids Will Like It

[Slash_Wombat · 8 January 2004]

This movie is a children's movie; it's cheap, quick, made-in-Australia Discovery-channel-family-movie type fare, so set your expectations accordingly. It's not realistic, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, the budget is small and the production schedule is short. It's not "Babe". From that point of view the movie is enjoyable to watch. Jason Robards is obviously having way too much fun in his role. The animal direction is pretty good as well, and my hat's off to the macaw wrangler. The bird has all the best lines, of course, but John Goodman's stereotypical "rawwk, phwee-phyoo" overdub just made me roll my eyes ( though not as insulting as the smartass Brooklyn accent they used for Paulie...). The one point I found really outstanding about the film is the macaw puppet used in many scenes; it is very realistic when still, or talking in medium or long shots. A puppet was also used instead of CGI for many of the flying scenes. Owning a blue-and-gold macaw myself, I was quite impressed at this ingenuity on such a small budget. Watch it with your kids, watch it with your bird, set your expectations accordingly and enjoy.

Holy nostalgia batman!

[moneypennycharley · 8/10 · 22 June 2021]

I remember this movie when I was a kid, I mustve watched it over a dozen times at my grandmother's growing up. I'm going to have to rewatch this little gem. I just randomly remembered this movie today at work and now I'm going to have to go find it somewhere lol.

Entertaining Children's movie

[barry-28 · 15 October 1998]

The Real Macaw is an entertaining movie for children, featuring Mac, the 149 year old talking Macaw, who knows where the pirate treasure is buried. Mac is the real star of the piece, though there is plenty to do for the human actors, plenty of action, and a satisfying and unexpected conclusion.

Probably everybody will enjoy it.

[PaulM-6 · 6 October 1998]

The film MaCaw was about a boy and his pop who couldn't pay his bills. The boy, called Sam, tries to help him and ends up in a lot of trouble. This movie is sad, happy and funny. Mac (the MaCaw) is the funniest of all. I really enjoyed watching this movie. I think it is for all ages. I know it's got scary parts but the little kids will adore Mac and the funny parts. It featured a lot of adventure parts. Probably everybody will enjoy it. Review by Stephanie.

Charming family movie

[jimnesie · 24 July 2004]

In a day and age when sex, violence and junk is sold to us as being entertainment, this movie shines like a beacon of wholesomeness. The story is fantasy, but the characterizations were charming. This is the kind of movie our children should be seeing. Adults might find it to be too simple of a story for their taste, it certainly does not have any "snob appeal". I liked it so much that I bought a copy for my grandchildren to view. They have watched it several times and always ask to see it again. It is not full of loud nonsensical noise as you would find in a lot of the cartoon and children's features that are being offered today. And it has enough appeal for parents to watch the movie along with the kids.