For Australians, Bad Eggs is the long overdue reunion between Tony Martin and Mick Molloy. The two first got together on Australian television in the sketch-comedy scene with shows like The D-Generation and The Late Show on the ABC. They later made a return with a national radio show called Martin/Molloy, which became a huge hit, naturally. Considering they have tackled two out of the three major mediums I guess then next logical step is to see if they can botch up cinema. Bad Eggs marks Mick Molloy's return to the big screen after the hailing success of last years hit film Crackerjack but marks Tony Martin's first appearance in a long time. The word appearance is used lightly however as this time the scrawny New Zealander stays behind the camera as writer and director giving Molloy centre stage. If you're clever though you just might notice Martin's presence in several quick shots throughout the picture.And not since 1997's The Castle have I laughed so loud and so often during an Aussie flick, and it's about time too. Where Crackerjack was a feel-good belly laugh Bad Eggs takes extra care of spoofing the very genre it draws on. It's serious yet outrageous almost simultaneously. The films two larrikins (I mean stars, respectively) are somewhat to blame for the great momentum and balance between laughs. The pay off is in Mick Molloy and Bob Franklin's slipshod slapstick style banter that never goes too far or bows too low. They have great comic timing and know how to handle the material. Also, stand-up comic turned Actress Judith Lucy projects much of her infamous persona into the mix of comedy. She works well as an icebreaker between the two dufus leads (again, said in respect). This camaraderie amongst comics/actors pretty much goes for everyone involved in the project. There's a distinct laidback Aussie feel to Bad Eggs topped off with classic Aussie humour (in an indicative Martin/Molloy approach) that fans will more than likely soak up.The only coil that might see audience's put off balance is that the story is much more plot-driven than most will be expecting. For some, they just want to sit back and guffaw. For others that like a bit more for their buck you will find it ultimately rewarding. With noticeable appearances from some of the greats of Australian cinema, Bill Hunter, Robin Nevin, Marshall Napier and Steven Vidler keep it all in safe hands (and that's comforting to know). Great performances from Alan Brough who plays the stations computer nerd and Shaun Micallef as the Victorian Premier. Micallef was the only one who played it quite differently than you would imagine. The jazzy music by David Graney and Clare Moore in the Bad Eggs Band is just brilliant. But don't take my word for it, go and see it for yourself. Bad Eggs is a barrel of laughs.Score - 4 out of 5

Who would have thought that Tony Martin, the director of this crass witless "comedy" was once a member of the fabulous D Generation comedy team? To say the plot is threadbare and ill thought out would be an understatement - nothing gels together and apart from a few hackneyed set pieces, this film reeks of desperation. Boys, you might get a few cheap laughs from the easily pleased, but for those people with a modicum of understanding of humour and screenplay development, this is a shoddy pitiful attempt at a comedy.

Bad Eggs is great debut from writer/director Tony Martin, starring well-known local talent.We Aussies tend to enjoy our heroes portrayed as average-looking and bumbling, yet honest, lovable, and deceptively smart. On the flip side, we enjoy seeing our authorities and celebrities portrayed as dodgy, shady, corrupt, and fallible. (The tall-poppy syndrome.) This is a typical tale of a bumbling cop duo (Mick Molloy and Bob Franklin) who trip onto a trail of corruption, which goes a long way. In too deep and on the run, they must outsmart their hunters, and work out how to uncover the ring of corruption. Dragged into the mess is a local-rag reporter (the excellent Judith Lucy), who happens to be Molloy's ex-girlfriend, and a shy, conservative systems engineer (a very funny Alan Brough).In what's essentially a p*ss-take of the local police, it's a 'serious' comedy, with most of the dialogue delivered in a overly-dramatic, dead-pan style. This fits in with the general style of the film, shot in a slightly pale, ghostly grading, with a score that helps the film keep it's faux-mystique.Molloy and Lucy are fantastic together, and the sub-plot of their characters finding themselves helplessly thrown together again, after a less-than-amicable break-up, works very well. Bob Franklin is the real scene-stealer, though, as Molloy's slightly under-noticed partner.Martin uses Franklin's brilliant straight-faced delivery, to help keep things from getting too serious. The debutant also livens things up with the use two truly excellent sight-gags, one of which is a hilarious narrated recollection by Franklin's character.This film is good enough to even forgive the increasingly embarrassing number of times (four I think!) that the top of the boom mike can be seen in a couple of scenes. I don't think Mr. Martin will skip any more editing sessions for future projects! His raw talent, however, is plain to see. That, and the intelligence displayed in not trying to turn his debut film into more than it should be, has me looking forward to his next project.Hopefully Bad Eggs will see the light of day overseas, as it's as darkly charming as other recent successful local films, The Castle, The Dish, and Crackerjack, are uplifting. A comeback of sorts, to the charming Aussie films of the seventies and early eighties? Please!

While it doesn't quite match the best of Australian comedy, Bad Eggs is a fantastic second movie from Mick Molloy. The story here is complete and well thought out, a rarity for comedies like this.Mick Molloy, Judith Lucy and Bob Franklin all played superb roles, never slipping out of character while their individual comic genius kept us laughing. Special mention must go to Alan Brough for his part as Northey, he owns the screen every time he's on and some of the best laughs are his alone.All up a great addition to Australian comedy, and another success for an aussie comics transfer to the big screen. Well done Molloy. 8/10.