This is not a great film but it is a very straight-forward and succeeds on its own terms. The movie centers on a group of tourists on a boat trip in the outback of Australia. The group is attacked by a huge alligator which gobbles down the tourists and collected Aussies one by one. This is a very traditional pick-off movie where the group is introduced, the destructive force is brought in and then we sit back and get thrilled by the carnage. What is interesting about this production is how little it relies on gore. There’s a single scene which shows the alligator killing someone. Writer/Director Greg McLean avoids the unpleasant stuff and relies on tension and surprise to build his story. Too bad he couldn’t have shown as much restraint in his debut film, the torture-porn classic Wolf Creek.

There is nothing revolutionary about this film but it is a solid piece of storytelling. The performances are good, the direction is strong and the script is better than average (for a simple pick-off movie). This is a good pick if you’re looking for some cheap thrills. That’s all it offers and that’s all it delivers and it does so with some taste. As far as pap is concerned, you really can’t ask for more.


Related Reviews:
Pick-off movies
30 Days of Night (2007)
Alien (1977)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Film Jerk
Moria

Labels: film, Michael Vartan, movie review, pick-off movie, Radha Mitchell