Backyard Ashes looks like a low budget movie with a big budget relation to real life. Being an Indian and playing cricket with friends and family, I can truly relate to this movie. This was my 1st Australian movie that I have watched and I must admit it hit the right cords. Big budget movies generally focus more on the big names but this focused on everyone in the movie. It was a simple yet very honest movie. Loved ones getting together, playing a good game of cricket, the annoying and unfriendly neighbors, the old couple upstairs, the entire locality and the craziness that comes along. Its a good watch for a nice lazy afternoon....

There are not many movies made for this theme. A movie about the cricketing sport from Australia means very interesting. Commonwealth nations know the Australian dominance in this particular sport. So I think it is specially dedicated to world cricket lovers and no one else. Those who like cricket would enjoy the movie maximum than those who don't know. Be prepared, the Ashes is here in the backyard.

'The Ashes' is the annual cricket tournament played by England and Australian teams. Probably the oldest tournament it is and also prestigious to win for the respective nations. So this movie based on the similar style, but in a simple way. A group of factory employees hangout for the weekends to play backyard cricket. Coincidentally, their new boss move in the neighborhood. Since they don't like each other, one freak accident puts them into a rival position. This conflict grows bigger by days gone and becomes national news. So now these two groups have to fight in a backyard cricket match to settle down. The match begins like the similar fashion to the real Ahes and to know how it ends you must see the movie by yourself.

''It's a batsman's world.''

Not a bad movie after all movie that deals on cricket is a rare thing so it worked comfortably for me. It had lots of fun moments, sorry if you don't know the game you won't completely get entertained. At least it will help to learn a few things, but it is not the real game so the rules are altered. If you do know, then it will be a different scenario. Looks like a specially made movie for sun-continent cricket fans with one sub-continent character in it. It is no masterpiece, but a time-pass entertainment flick.

It was not plain, though lacks in depth which kind of looks like a weekend premiered television movie. Amusing characters make us to stick with the movie. The few lines that said in the movie were so good and so strong like that used during real Ashes. Enjoyment is what this movie provides than cleverness in all the departments. So you should suit yourself for that than expecting something extraordinary. One time watch a movie and nothing more else.

Really, a 5 1/2, (hence, my summary title) but that wasn't an option. I was a bit bored at first, but it was a rainy, lazy Sunday, so I kicked back and sat through it--and you know what? As it went on, it grew on me. I don't watch cricket, nor do I understand the rules, but it doesn't take an aficionado, or a genius to figure out that backyard cricket is a pastime over in Australia. In a way, this movie is an ode to the love of the game, family, and friends.

You won't get big laughs out of this one (at least it didn't happen for me, and I suspect it won't happen for most),but you will find yourself smiling, and that smile will remain for awhile after the movie ends.

Another thing about this low budget little movie is that it is clean, good fun (except for a bit of swearing, but nothing to write home about). It's something the whole family can enjoy, or an alternative if you just need a break from the raunchy stuff. Not every comedy has to be full of cursing, douche-bags, and tits--something Hollywood seems to have forgotten.

This is a cute, feel-good movie about the possibility of making friends, even with your enemies, that puts some faith back in humanity. Yes, there were clichés, and it was a bit cheesy, but c'mon, admit it: sometimes you're in the mood for a nice little chunk of cheese. With a few crackers on the side. And a beer.

If you've got nothing to do on a rainy evening, kick back with the family, pass the cheese and crackers, crack open that beer, and give it a shot. You might be surprised.