Cane Toads

“Cane Toads: An Unnatural History” is an interesting documentary about the introduction of Hawaiian sugar-cane toads to Australia. They were initially introduced to control the cane grub that was destroying the sugar cane fields. Turns out the one thing they actually wouldn’t eat were the cane grub but they would multiply like no one’s business. The spread of the cane toad also happened because it has no natural enemies in Australia at all, partly due to their poisonous skin. Through reenactments and interviews, the film tells you everything you could ever want to know about cane toads, from their sex lives to their eating habits (they eat cat food).  The film has interviews with people from both sides. First, with those who love cane toads and keep them as pets, feed them, or just watch them for pleasure. Then there are those who despise them with a passion, which is usually due to a traumatic event they had with a cane toad. For example, a common reason is the lost of a pet because it tried to eat the toad. Which give the viewer the ability to decide which side of the argument they are on. Either way the film is nicely paced, very interesting and well shot. The films characters and the way it was cut and shot gives the audience the idea that it is a satirical film. One of my favorite insistences of this is when the police officer was talking about the effects of cane toad drugs and he says it “can make you stupid” and then it cuts to the guy who does the toad drugs, and he can’t form a sentence. I laughed out loud. I also enjoyed the all of the toad POV shots. “Cane Toads: An Unnatural History” is a hilariously entertaining documentary.