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Pretty Boy
"I had one thing going for me, my looks. And now look what you've done to me! I'm slightly less attractive than I was before!" ~ Pretty Boy.
Pretty Boy is a self-centered koala who serves as the last member to join the outback pack and deuteragonist of the Netflix film Back to the Outback.
Contents
Appearance
Pretty Boy has a big head with large ears, blue eyes, a square nose and grey artificial-like fur. He is a koala with a distinctly cute and marketable appearance that made him popular at the zoo.
Personality
Pretty Boy is initially portrayed as a self-centered, narcissistic, and condescending koala who is obsessed with his appearance and celebrity status. Having been the star attraction at the zoo, he developed an inflated ego and looked down on the other animals, particularly those considered "ugly" or "monsters."
His vanity and superficial nature often put him at odds with Maddie and her friends, as he believes his looks make him superior to them. Throughout most of the journey, he maintains his arrogant attitude and even attempts to betray the group to save himself when confronted by angry humans.
However, as the story progresses, Pretty Boy begins to show his more vulnerable side. When Chaz calls him a "filthy has-been," he realizes that his celebrity status is fading and that his looks alone won't protect him forever. This moment of vulnerability marks the beginning of his character development.
By the end of the film, Pretty Boy learns the value of friendship and loyalty, ultimately choosing to help save his friends rather than abandoning them. He discovers that true worth comes not from appearance, but from the bonds formed with others who accept him for who he truly is.
Biography
Past
Almost the only thing known about Pretty Boy's past is that he lost his mother after birth and was taken by humans to the zoo where he became a mascot. His cute appearance and marketable looks quickly made him the star attraction, leading to his development of a narcissistic personality.
Life at the zoo
While Maddie and her friends were mistreated for being considered "monsters," Pretty Boy was loved by the audience. He enjoyed celebrity status and was the face of the zoo, which only reinforced his belief that his appearance made him superior to the other animals. He observed the other animals through security cameras but maintained his distance, believing himself to be above them.
The escape
"Wait! Those are dangerous animals! Security!" - Pretty Boy trying to alert the guards
When Maddie and her friends decided to escape the zoo, Pretty Boy tried to call the guards on them. However, Nigel poisoned him to knock him out. Accidentally, he flew in front of the camera and was photographed with a creepy expression on his face. The group decided to take him with them to prevent him from revealing their escape plan.
Journey to the Outback
During the journey, Pretty Boy maintained his condescending attitude toward the group. When they encountered Jacinta, the shark and member of the U.S.S. (Uglies Secret Society), he continued to feel superior despite being part of their escape.
In Sydney, when an angry mob chased him believing he had rabies, Pretty Boy showed his true colors by attempting to betray Maddie and the others to save himself. Maddie had to slap him and use the U.S.S. password to escape through the sewers with help from the redback spiders.
Throughout their journey on buses and through the wilderness, Pretty Boy remained reluctant and complained constantly. However, during a quiet moment under the stars near Ayers Rock, he began to bond with Maddie as she shared her feelings about being betrayed by Chaz.
Leaving the group
When the group passed by a koala tree, Pretty Boy quickly joined the other koalas without even saying goodbye to his companions, deeply offending Maddie. He believed he would be happier with his own kind, but soon realized that living with other koalas wasn't as fulfilling as he had expected.
Redemption and return
"Filthy has-been!" - Chaz's cruel words that shattered Pretty Boy's ego
The turning point came when Chaz called Pretty Boy a "filthy has-been" and pushed him away. This moment shattered his ego and made him realize that his celebrity status was fleeting and that looks alone wouldn't protect him forever.
When Maddie asked the outback animals for help to save her captured friends and they refused, Pretty Boy arrived to warn them about the terrible consequences. Realizing he didn't like living with the other koalas and seeing Maddie crying, he decided he wanted to help her. Together, they stole a fire truck to rescue the others.
New home
After helping save his friends and proving his loyalty, Pretty Boy was fully accepted into the group. When Maddie molted during the final confrontation, he found her even more beautiful than before, showing his growth beyond superficial appearances. The group returned to the Outback where they were greeted as heroes and reunited with Jackie, finally settling into their new home after their long journey.
Trivia
- Pretty Boy is the only warm-blooded member of the outback pack.
- He claims he isn't even 27 yet, implying he is 26. However, in real life, a koala's maximum lifespan is 18 years old, suggesting that koalas in the Back to the Outback universe live longer than in reality.
- At the 30:16 mark in the movie, Pretty Boy sits cutely, claps and sings "Doobie, doobie, doo," which could be a reference to Jamba/Jamster's Schnuffel (Snuggle) bunny, who had a similarly titled song. Both characters also share grey fur, blue eyes and an adorable appearance.
- His character represents the theme of learning that true worth comes from inner qualities rather than external appearance.
- Pretty Boy's transformation from antagonist to ally serves as a key plot device in showing how friendship can change even the most self-centered individuals.
Gallery
Screenshot 1
Screenshot 2
