The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee

The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee is a 2020 Australian comedy film directed by Dean Murphy. The film stars Paul Hogan in a self-referential role, alongside an impressive supporting cast, including Rachael Carpani, Jacob Elordi, Reginald VelJohnson, Chevy Chase, and John Cleese.

The film masks itself as a semi-fictional life portrayal of Paul Hogan, more commonly known as Crocodile Dundee, from the famous 80s films franchise, carrying the same name. Paul Hogan is commended in the film as being beloved by fans and critics alike, yet he's also put on display as the object of ridicule in comically absurd ways to the viewers.

Hogan, mid-retirement and happy to live out his days out of the limelight, suddenly finds himself thrust back into the spotlight and the subject of unfortunate tabloid headlines. He is pitched an idea about "Crocodile Dundee" reboot by the studios: this idea is quickly dismissed by Hogan, but Hollywood won’t take no for an answer and the hilarity ensues. Hogan plays himself - a version of himself, at least - as he goes toiling through a series of amusing misadventures, despite his best efforts to steer clear of the hullabaloo.

Brimming with star-studded cameos, the film features an array of talented artists playing themselves or fictional characters including the likes of Olivia Newton-John, Wayne Knight, and a brief appearance by pop sensation, Ed Sheeran. Cleverly staged scenes between these iconic guest stars add an additional flair of humor to the film.

The film brings a whole lot of laugh-out-loud moments exploring the wild, unpredictable, and often surreal world of Hollywood fame and celebrity culture. The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee is a film where reality and fiction blur, with the audience left to discern what's real in Hogan's portrayal and what's a plain exaggeration for comedic effect. This meta-based screenplay and celebrity caricatures add to the film's charm and appeal.

The film, through the persona of Hogan, also cleverly tackles and parodies the often overzealous ‘cancel culture’, which adds an even more comedic, yet realistic, layer of social commentary. The plot showcases how quickly and arbitrarily one can become the subject of a media frenzy in today's hypersensitive culture.

The director, Dean Murphy, shows his expertise in handling comedy by delivering a narrative that on the surface level appears to be a sequence of misunderstandings and mishaps but in reality, cleverly satirizes the culture surrounding international fame. Though the tone is set light-heartedly, it delivers punches of criticism on the aspects of the industry that often go unnoticed.

The character portrayal by Paul Hogan, an aged actor who’s reluctantly dragged into situations that go against his laid-back nature, is natural and relatable. Hogan’s signature dry humor is at top form throughout the film. Moreover, the film doesn’t abandon its Australian roots. Peppered with Australian humor and jargon, it maintains the original flavor while catering to an international audience.

Overall, The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee is a thoroughly enjoyable film for those who admire ingenious comedy mixed with fresh social commentary. It's a sincere homage to an Australian icon that will have audiences laughing throughout.