Australian minister terms Johnny Depp's viral apology a poor 'performance'

Actor Johnny Depp (R) and wife Amber Heard arrive at the Southport Magistrates Court on Australia's Gold Coast, April 18, 2016. Hollywood actor Johnny Depp's wife, actress Amber Heard, appeared in the Queensland court Monday charged with illegally smuggling the couple's Yorkshire terriers, Pistol and Boo, into the country on a private jet while Depp was shooting a Pirates of the Caribbean movie last year. [Photo/Agencies]

CANBERRA - A video of renowned actor Johnny Depp and wife Amber Heard apologizing for smuggling undeclared dogs into Australia has gone viral overnight, but has copped a backlash for looking similar to a hostage video.

Australia's Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce released the video on Monday evening as part of the couple's punishment for bringing the dogs into Australia without alerting authorities, and on Tuesday defended the decision to film and release the "bizarre and uncomfortable" apology.

"The court determines the punishment of the court, so I'm not going to start being in contempt of court," Joyce told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Tuesday.

The video was highly criticized on social media, with many users likening the limp performance of Depp in the video to that of being in a hostage situation, while some - including Joyce - were disappointed in the actor's "performance".

"I don't think he'll get an academy award for his performance," Joyce, who personally filmed the video, said.

"(But) as far as me directing this atrocious movie, even I could have done a little better than that."

The Agriculture Minister also used the virality of the video to highlight the strict biosecurity laws which Australians and tourists must abide by.

"At the end of it we've got a message that is going all around the world right now, it's going off 'like a frog in a sock' telling people that if you come into this nation and you don't obey our laws, you're in trouble," Joyce said.

Heard and Depp, who flew to Australia with terriers Pistol and Boo last year, failed to declare their dogs on their arrival cards.

At the time, Joyce threatened to have the canines "put down" unless they were promptly returned to the United States, while the owners were both charged.

Depp and Heard were given a good behavior bond by the courts on Monday and were also ordered to film the video as part of their punishment.