Who's
In It: Steve Irwin Who Directed It: John Stainton
Year
of release: 2002
The
Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002) Movie Review Reviewed by: Adam
Mast, Zboneman.com
Crocodile
Hunter is the third film I've seen in the last month that doesn't seem to have
a screenplay. It's as though they just made it up as they went along. I can't
prove this of course, but by the nature of the finished project that would be
my guess. It should be noted, however, that this is a vehicle picture for Aussie
Steve Irwin, so as long as he's working his magic, nothing else should matter.
Nothing else does.
This
has to be one of the dumbest, thinnest plots in film history. A large and feisty
crocodile swallows a device that the U.S. government desperately needs. They send
a couple of agents to the Outback to retrieve the goods.
Meanwhile, do-gooder
Steve Irwin and his lovely wife are out in the bush protecting local wild -life
from various dangers. When Irwin hears that a couple of guys are trying to capture
a crocodile, he mistakes them for poachers, and thus the adventure begins.
Steve
Irwin is extremely likable, and anyone who's seen his television show can attest
to that. The guy is nutty but charming and watching him pick up wild and dangerous
animals of his own free will is an absolute hoot. Quite obviously, he's the only
reason to watch the picture. The rest of the cast are dreadful, but that only
adds to this films bizarre charm.
Pretty
much anyone could have directed this film if there even was a director. Everything
is clumsily executed including a little chase sequence that's an obvious homage
to Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Still,
every time Irwin was on screen, I found myself laughing. His little improvised
speeches about wildlife are immensely entertaining and the way he appears to be
scared even though he has the ability to walk away from a given situation, is
just too damn funny.
Make
no mistake. This is a "vehicle" picture in every sense of the word.
If you're a fan of Irwin, chances are you'll walk out of the theater with a smile
on your face. If not, shame on you, and you're probably going to hate this. For
my money, it was better than the last Crocodile Dundee picture.
