Synopsis: Gaint crocodiles invade a quiet lake. Nope...the movie is not that simplistic. David Kelley (Alley McBeal. The Practice & Hill Street Blues) has written a tight, witty, horror film bordering on comic. If the special effects and the 32 foot crocodile were to be taken out of this film it would still be a good entertaining and funny movie. I say this because it seems more and more that film producers figure if they throw incredible special effects at us we will ignore the weak, trivial scripts that throw at us. Wakeup Hollywood effects do not make a movie....STORY DOES...the nicest thing that can be said about an effects movie is when you can say, after watching the movie, "effects??? I didn't even notice them, I was totally into into the movie."    Now having said that, I hope you realize that this is that type of film. The hype is that it is this year's ANACONDA. This is not the same type of movie, but they are referring to it being a surprise sleeper hit. This is the kind of film that will build by word of mouth. It is just plain fun to watch. Yes there are killings but they happen in such a way that they are not the entire focus the movie. The witty repartee between the characters is excellent and biting satire. Betty White steals her scenes like a real pro. It is absolutely a joy to watch her deliver the raunchiest lines in the film. The other character played by Olvier Platt is also a very interesting character, and probably the most important part in the film. The story takes place in the placcid waters in the Maine wilderness. As the sheriff says, this lake was called Lake Placcid but vacationers thought it was boring so they called it Black Lake instead; of course that is the joke on the viewer; it is also what will turn off moviegoers at first until they hear about the movie from others. The lake can't be too placcid with a 32 foot killing and eating machine in it. We soon learn just how fast crocodiles move. It would be interesting to see who would win between a croc and a shark. Hmmm, hey hollywood there is an idea for you. A wide array of people come together to find out what is going on in this normally quiet lake.  >  A recently botched office romance, leads an emotionally fragile, nature-phobic paleontologist, Kelly Scott (Bridget Fonda) to the great outdoors. She is reluctantly dispatched for her first real field assignment in the field where she freaks of the idea of bugs, no air conditioning and no indoor toilets. Her actions and complaining irritate to no end all the other characters including an interested game warden played Bill Pullman. Fish and Game Warden Jack Wells teams up with her and the town sheriff (Brendan Gleeson) to find out if there really is a crocodile in the water Landing in the middle of this scenario is wealthy and eccentric mythology professor Hector Cyr (Oliver Platt), who steamrolls the team into trying to capture and preserve the elusive reptile that may be lurking nearby. Of course at this point no one has any idea how big this thing is. The movie moves quickly and nothing is wasted on the screen, everything moves the action along to its of course, surprise ending. Don't leave until the credits roll on this. Here are some fast clips...giant crocodile and a helicopter, cows dangling as bait, strange man who likes the swim with these sea dragons, big bear...big gulp...traps...half bodies...bye, bye heads....did I mention how fast a croc moves...well you're going to find out. So, what are you doing sitting there, get out and see this movie. Oh yeah buy the popcorn and drink but try not to spill it on the people in front of you when you start laughing or....screaming!! Great movie.    |
||||||||
Starring: Bridget Fonda, Bill Pullman, Olicer Platt, Brendan Gleeson, Betty White Directed by Steve Miner Written by David E. Kelly Produced by David E. Kelly, Peter Bogart & Michael pressman Distributed by FOX 2000 PG-13/AA for violence and language Read Another Review Of This Film Read Still Another Review Of This Film | |||||||
 |  |  |
 |
vjm@metrocity.com
BACK
NEXT