After – jeez, what is it? nearly two years? – of being jerked around by The Idiot Brothers, Greg Mclean’s killer croc film Rogue finally hits the US street on DVD today. Although it does go a bit over-the-top towards the end, particularly in the area of Hero’s Death Battle Exemption (so what else is new?), Rogue is a commendably straight-faced effort full of good special effects, interesting character touches (you won’t guess who lives and dies) and some absolutely spectacular cinematography. Recommended.
If you don’t feel like lining the Weinsteins’ pockets, the Region 4 version will be released September 4th.
In related news, Urban Cinephile reports that the other Australian killer croc film, Black Water, has now secured distribution in 76 countries. Nice if ours were among them, hey? Black Water is notable for, among other things, having “the Northern Territory” played by a southern Sydney area two suburbs away from where I live. And the bastards didn’t invite me!!!! Aw, hell, I guess I’ll see it anyway…..always supposing.
#1 by Tom Meade on August 6, 2008 - 1:02 am
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Yessssssss.
I have nothing more constructive to say.
#2 by MatthewF on August 6, 2008 - 3:09 am
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I sure hope this movie is good because I don’t know if I can take another bad killer croc movie…everytime I get exited and everytime they’re rubbish. Especially that Tobe Hooper one which is currently stacking up in bargain bins everywhere in this country for some reason. Ah now that I think about it, Tobe Hooper is as a big a byword for dissapointment as killer croc movies, q.e.d. letting him make one was asking for trouble.
#3 by kbegg on August 6, 2008 - 7:48 am
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Tobe Hooper has made *two* killer croc movies! Ha! I’ve outnerded you!
#4 by KeithA on August 6, 2008 - 9:22 am
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You’re all missing the point — this film is UNRATED and released by Dimension EXTREME!!! hat means it is guaranteed to be super king hell awesome, right? RIGHT???
#5 by KeithA on August 6, 2008 - 9:23 am
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Also, Unrated is in blood drippy font!
#6 by lyzard on August 6, 2008 - 4:35 pm
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Don’t make me come over there and slap you, Keith! (Actually, I wish you would: lordy, I need a holiday….)
Matthew, I think I can say without fear of contradiction that this is rather better than either of Tobe’s efforts. Which statement just might take “damning with faint praise” to new heights.
#7 by hman on August 6, 2008 - 6:47 pm
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I feel bad, guys. Unless you count “Eraser” and “Captain Sinbad”, the only killer crocodilian films I’ve seen are the two Alligator films and “Lake Placid”. Besides this one, any recommendations in this latest killer crocodilian cycle? Blood Surf? Crocodile 1 or 2? Primieval?
#8 by MatthewF on August 7, 2008 - 3:26 am
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“this film is UNRATED and released by Dimension EXTREME”
So that means there’s more Croc nudity? It swears?
#9 by KeithA on August 7, 2008 - 8:55 am
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It wears Wayfarer sunglasses and Jams shorts and drinks Rock Star Energy Drink.
#10 by MatthewF on August 7, 2008 - 9:53 am
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Is the croc played by Vin Desiel? Coz he’s pretty extreme.
#11 by The Rev. D.D. on August 7, 2008 - 10:25 am
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I’m going to be picking this one up. I managed to catch it in its theatrical run earlier this year, and as anyone who’s on the old Jabootu board knows, I found very little to complain about. In fact, my feelings are pretty much along the lines of Ms. Kingsley’s. While I haven’t seen every single giant crocodilian movie out there, I’ve seen a few, and I feel safe saying it’s the best of its kind since Sayles’ Alligator, and definitely falls under the heading of “good movie.” I still prefer Alligator, but by no means does that diminish my enthusiasm for Rogue.
hman–Well, first of all, realize that pretty much any giant croc/’gator movie is going to suck hard. It’s then a matter of whether it’s fun bad or just plain bad. (Except, as noted above, Rogue, which I definitely recommend.)
Blood Surf–It’s quite bad, but it leans more towards fun bad I think. I thought it was pretty fun.
Croc–takes a while to get going, but ends up fairly decent. (Michael Madsen’s in it, so that’s a bonus.) Crocodile is crap. Utter crap. So is the second one, although it occasionally wanders into hilariously bad territory (be prepared for a lot of “cool” cursing though. My late grandfather swore less, and he was in the Navy.)
Dinocroc‘s beastie isn’t a traditional croc, but it’s probably the most fun film listed here. Keep in mind that it’s still bad, just entertainingly so.
Haven’t heard much good about Primeval or Lake Placid 2 (which makes sense since the first one sucks), and even less about Supergator.
#12 by Blake Matthews on August 7, 2008 - 5:32 pm
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Hmm…now that I think about it, I have seen more Croc films than I gave myself credit for (I saw Dinocroc). Maybe I should update myself on the recent giant snake and killer shark cycles. But then, I have some silent films, some dinosaur films, and some kung fu films on my list.