AllMovie

Joey the red kangaroo grows from pouch baby to independence in this close-up look at life in the Australian outback. His tale includes all the harsh realities as well as the joys of life in this rugged land. He and his mom forage for food, avoid eagles and dingoes, and experience that special closeness that the mother's pouch provides. The story takes several side trips, including a visit to a lush rain forest and an excursion to Australia's companion isle to meet the ferocious Tasmanian devil. Narrator Stan Watt also offers a brief history of the evolution of marsupials on the isolated continent and touches on Aboriginal legend and dance. Younger children may be frightened by graphic footage of kangaroos killed by human and animal predators. National Geographic once again provides a fascinating look at a species while introducing the problems that kangaroos face in today's world.