There's a reason why this version of Blinky dominates the Google image results. He's vibrant, he's mischievous, he's not too far removed from Dorothy Wall's original stories, and 90s kids grew up watching his adventures.

This movie is a bit like a longer episode of the TV series in terms of plot- in fact, the events of this movie are referenced in the opening song. Blinky's home gets destroyed due to some logging, and in the process, he gets separated from his friends and his mother. He eventually reunites with the gang, but his mother remains missing.

The story here does jump on the eco-friendly bandwagon that was all the rage, but thankfully not to Captain Planet levels. There's a disclaimer at the end specifically stating that the movie's main antagonists (if you could call them that-they're silly, but they have a family to look after) were logging illegally, and that logging done within legal limits is fine. In the end, everyone's reunited and the little wood chip shed that the gang bust Nutsy and Mrs Koala out of remains very much intact.

The animation is actually pretty good in parts. Sure, it's old, and the real life backgrounds will be a bit hit and miss for some, but the characters are nicely integrated into it for the most part. The plot tends to zigzag a bit- the flashback really ought to have been at the start, and the climax is very short- but there's still a lot of charm and heart (especially when Blinky reunites with his mum- aaaaw). One thing that feels off about the 2015 production is the lack of love for the bush, and here, you can see its billabongs, its giant trees, its wild beauty. The set of log/stump houses for Greenpatch is true to the bush; quintessentially Australian. It just reminds me of a Lawson short story.

This film doesn't pander to adults like a lot of modern animated films, but there's still a lot to enjoy for the whole family. Despite its flaws, I consider it a classic of Australian film, and an integral part of my childhood.

I just watched this movie for the first time after ten years. When I saw it for the first time as a kid I loved everything about it and began watching the TV series because of it. The best part is the flashback, which is pretty much at the beginning of the movie. In it you get the idea what kind of character Blinky is (his personality reminded me a little bit of Bart Simpson). The other characters are great and even fun for adults, my favorite ones are Marcia and Flap (who talks like Tiny Toon's Plucky, at least in the German version). The music is also an important part of it, since the theme song makes the film. The only thing I didn't like about the animation is that the character's cheeks are getting red when they're giggling, sometimes it seems that they are embarrassed all the time. But after all this is a cute kids movie with a positive message. Don't let the cheap-looking animation fool you. If you saw "Blinky Bill" as a child you will remember it for the rest of your life.

Am very much familiar with Yoram Gross' animation work, and mostly like it very much (though to me 'The Magic Riddle' hasn't held up and didn't do much for me). Particularly the Dot films, well all but one ('Dot in Space), with the best being 'Dot and the Smugglers', 'Dot and the Whale' and 'Dot and the Kangaroo'.

'Blinky Bill' isn't as good as most of the Dot films, especially the best ones, and is quality-wise uneven, but it has its heart in the right place and clearly meant well. Children will love it and even adults will appreciate what 'Blinky Bill' tried to do even if the execution doesn't always work. As an adult myself, despite the flaws being more apparent through young adult eyes than when younger, there is a soft spot for the film (no this is not nostalgia talking, nostalgia by rule never clouds my judgement).

Do agree with those that say that the animation isn't great. Some nice colours here and there, but the character designs are pretty rough and scrappy, some of the characters look permanently embarrassed or bashful and the backgrounds, done in a way that is typical of Gross' animation (live action) has been much more detailed and smoother before, compared to something like 'Dot and the Whale' some look on the clumsy side.

The story mostly works but has its uneven moments, with the introduction needing more time to breathe, a climax that felt even more rushed and a flashback that should have been placed in a different part of the film. Also agree that the songs are not necessary, and are not particularly good on their own.

However, the script is fun, poignant and affectionately heart-warming, with some nice conflict that avoids being too dark that target audience or tone would be called into question. Much of the story has a lot of charm, a good deal of energy and while parts may make one feel good others will have you reaching for tissues.

In terms of the messaging, it's an important message/subject handled tactfully and not with the didactic heavy-handedness it could easily have done. The characters are engaging, cute and fun, nobody's annoying and everyone has a personality. The voice acting is above serviceable and at least fit the characters.

Overall, worth a look and well-intended but quality-wise 'Blinky Bill' is uneven. 6/10 Bethany Cox