Tomorrow When The War Began (2010)

Director: Stuart Beattie

Writer:  Stuart Beattie (Screenplay) John Marsden (Novel)

Starring: Caltlin Stasey, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Lincoln Lewis, Deniz Akdeniz, Phoebe Tonkin, Chris Pang, Ashleigh Cummings, Andrew Ryan

Story: When their country is invaded and their families are taken, eight unlikely high school teenagers band together to fight.

Story: The story follows eight high school teens who after returning from a weekend away find their homes abandoned and their town empty. In search for answers they find that an unknown enemy has invaded them. They could run and hide but they decided to stay and fight for their friends, families, town and country. The story never really gives too much away of the bigger picture on what is going on which is a huge plus keeping you guessing what will happen. All the characters play out well to fit each situation in the story by keeping the teenagers innocence through out.  (9/10)

Cast: Caltlin Stacey as Ellie Linton – Ellie arranges the camping trip with her friends and takes the role of the leader of the group once they return and see what has happened. She is also the first one of the group to know the feeling of what it is like to take another humans life in warfare. She is a loyal figure always trying to make sure her friends are safe even if it means risking her own life. Played brilliantly by Caltlin who fulfils every emotion her character needs to with relative ease. Star Performance (10/10)

Rachel Hurd-Wood as Corrie Mackenzie – Corrie is Ellie’s best friend and the camping trip is a bigger plan for her to spend more time with her starting romance with Kevin. She is their to support Ellie through some of her tougher times. Strong supporting performance. (8/10)

Lincoln Lewis as Kevin Holmes – The new romance is Corrie’s life, also the sportsman of the group. Kevin goes through the most transitions as the story unfolds making his character very interesting to see what he will do next. Great performance from the young actor plays each scene out very well. (9/10)

Deniz Akdeniz as Homer Yannos – The joker of the group who is always out to impress for a laugh. Coming from a poor family he is almost seems like the most prepared for living in the condition that have been created. Another good supporting performance. (8/10)

Phoebe Tonkin as Fiona Maxwell – The opposite to Homer here, typical city girl who can’t even go camping without a couple of bangs of make up. She also comes off as a bit of a bimbo but that tag falls off after they return from their trip. Good supporting role with added emotion, which come out very strong. (9/10)

Chris Pang as Lee Takkam – Works with his family and a local restaurant and doesn’t seem to be friends with the people on the trip but Ellie’s choice to invite him along. Doesn’t really offer much to the story other than a love interest for Ellie, but this could be to add to the mystery about his character for a later chapter in the series. (7/10)

Ashleigh Cummings as Robyn Mathers – Part of a religious family she has to talk her way on to the trip to start with. Robyn becomes the most interesting character once the group return home because of her religious stance and we get left with the will she help her friends, family and country by going against God’s will. Great performance. Favourite Character (9/10)

Director: The director creates great atmospheric pieces with urban warfare without soldiers showing how far people will go to fight for the people and place they love. (10/10)

Action: The couple of chases are nice touch but most of the action comes after some very suspenseful scenes. (9/10)

Thriller: As soon as they return from their trip you know this is going be thrilling and this delivers all the suspense you need. (10/10)

Sound: The sounds of the war vehicles and weapons in an abandon town give a very real effect to what is going on  (8/10)

Settings: Some good Australian settings countryside, forest and the very real torn apart town. (9/10)

Suggestion: Going into this I wasn’t expect much, after watching this I would recommended to anyone to watch. (10/10)

Best Part: The sequences near the end with the bridge.

Worst Part: I’m going to have to wait or read the rest of the series.

Overall: I knew what I was going to be watching and I didn’t think this would be that good, but with great character development, atmosphere and story this turned into one of my favourite films of the year. Having No big names in it help a lot because you are not expecting anyone to do certain things, while this works both ways because you don’t know what each character will be doing next. This is a great introduction into the collection of books that touch a very real subject that could happen suddenly to anyone.

Rating 93%

Trailer