Dot and the Koala

I am very disappointed how the voice acting from this animated full-length film to "Skippy: Adventures in Bushtown" (1998) looks like. Robyn Moore voiced all female characters and Keith Scott voiced all male characters, including Skippy the Bush Kangaroo. I think that Yoram Gross could use the best Australian actors of stage, film and television for the voice acting of his best animated full-length films like "The Magic Riddle" (1991) and "Blinky Bill: The Mischievous Koala" (1992). Without them, the voice acting from this animated full- length film to "Skippy: Adventures in Bushtown" (1998) looks horrible. On the bright side, the voice acting from "Dot and the Kangaroo" (1977) to "Dot and the Bunny" (1983) looks good.

All three of the previous Dot films ('Dot and the Kangaroo', 'Dot and Santa Claus' and 'Dot and the Bunny') were very enjoyable and well done. 'Dot and the Koala' doesn't disappoint and evidence of the Dot film series continuing to go strong.

Criticisms are few. Really admire the fact that there were only two voice actors doing the voices, Robyn Moore providing the voices for all the female characters and Keith Scott providing those for the male characters, but it doesn't come off completely successfully. Enough of the characters are well voiced enough to not consider it a massive problem, but some of the other voices don't fit the characters in question, sometimes sounding too mature or too childish (though it is nowhere near as jarring as in 'The Magic Riddle').

However, the animation is improving with each instalment so far, with mostly more vibrant colours and smoother character designs. The backgrounds as with the previous two Dot films are meticulously detailed, and like the previous two there is some live action which is done very well and realistically and doesn't jar at all.

Songs are lively and well placed, with hummable melodies and lyrics that have both fun and heart. The script, apart from the odd bit of cheesiness here and there, is funny, poignant, remarkably educational and heart-warming, while the characters are engaging.

Part of a large part of 'Dot and the Kola's' charm is the story, while formulaic it is still executed beautifully and in a way that both children and adults will admire. Parts are fun and uplifting and even this 25 year old adult found herself learning a good deal and that the educational aspects were delivered very engagingly.

It's the charm and emotional heart that's particularly note-worthy, really warming the heart and moving even the most cynical of adults to at least a tear or two like the previous three Dot films. 'Dot and the Koala' also carries a very important message, and the messaging is sincere and never preachy or tacked-on.

Overall, another nicely done instalment in the Dot film series. 8/10 Bethany Cox