Rogue - Unrated

"Rogue" is top-notch entertainment in a genre that has suffered quite a bit with lukewarm entries lately.

Amazon has done another excellent job giving us the basics of this story and who the big stars are, so I keep my summary very brief. A small handful of sightseers have their boat nearly destroyed by a rogue croc and they take refuge on a small island that will quickly disappear under the rising tide in a river basin area in Australia. It really is that simple of a story, but superbly executed by the cast of familiar faces, especially the lovely and talented Radha Mitchell from Silent Hill, the director who is famous for Wolf Creek, terrific photography, and outstanding special effects that are used sparingly but effectively.

This is one intense thriller. The last "us against it" thriller that I enjoyed this much was Prey. In regards to croc films, this isn't quite as good as Lake Placid, but it is far superior to the more recent Primeval. The film isn't, however, especially graphic for it's genre. More seems to happen off camera, but that doesn't reduce the intensity one bit. Rent or buy this one, personally, I think it's a keeper as it has repeat value.

Like Jaws did back in the 70s this tale gives a lot of fictional elements to its main animal villain to make the tale more terrifying. I have to admit having worked in a wildlife park with crocodiles and knowing all about them I didn't have very high expectations for a movie set around a crocodile serial killer. But having checked out the DVD I must say I was pleasantly surprised. This is one of the best man verse nature villain films out there.

The DVD in Australia (this American release doesn't give details of what's on it) comes with some great making of the film documentaries. If you can check it Amazon's version does as well, if it doesn't and your DVD played is multizone, order the Australian version instead.

The film is well shot and the two fake robot crocodiles used for the film (see them in the special features) look so realistic the actors visibly shook with fear when filming shots next to them even though they knew they were machines. Robot animal technology has come a long way from Bruce (the up close unrealistic looking shark used in Jaws interaction with human shots). Real crocodiles in the background of the film add to the authentic look as well.

The first third of the film shows some great Northern Territory wildlife and landscapes and does resemble real tours that do go on up there. Unfortunately for these tourists (made up of Americans, British and city living Australians) when they respond to a distress flare and go up a restricted river forbidden to tour boats, a large 7 metre crocodile takes exception to their intrusion into his territory. Their boat is wrecked and they are left on an island that will be underwater when the tide comes in. Paralleling many slasher film or alien space ship invasion films, one by the humans are picked off (although you don't really get to seem them being killed which is a lot more realistic than if it had been done differently). With the water coming in they know they will soon be underwater where the crocodile has all the advantages. They must escape the island or die!

The film would have actually been a lot more realistic if it had ended after the island scenes but to make the third saga the fictional element of crocodiles storing their food in caves is introduced to the storyline which is where the viewer will actually get to see the villain up close. I don't like this factor being in the movie which is the only reason I drop this film a star in rating because as evident by a previous American reviewer people are believing the fictional element as a fact, which they will no doubt tell their kids and so forth when teaching them about crocodiles. For the record most people killed by crocodiles drown in the death roll underwater where the crocodile has dragged them as the crocodile is twisting off their arm, leg or whatever part of the body. Crocodiles don't eat the whole person (or animal) they just eat parts they have ripped off and they definitely do not store bodies in trees, logs and caves. Fatalities also occur as people bleed to death from their wounds if they are in a isolated area and of course death from shock is also a fairly large factor.

The same way many people still believe sharks are out to attack and eat them as a food source since they saw Jaws, a fact the public didn't believe before Jaws was released, and a fact that has seen many a shark killed in the name of fear. The back of this DVD cover (Aus version) says "Rogue does for crocodiles what Jaws did for sharks". I hope really hope this isn't true! If you take precautions, don't go swimming in crocodile habitats, and read the warning signs you'll be safe.

This is a great film though, and well worth seeing! It also has the entire Never Smile at a Crocodile song playing in the credits, I've often heard the chorus but never the whole song. A bit tacky song yes, but interesting to listen to in its entirety. Another man verse nature film that is pretty good is the classic Australian movie Razorback.

Rogue- (of an animal) having an abnormally savage or unpredictable disposition, vicious or solitary, as a rogue elephant.

After the huge success of "JAWS", producers have been trying to capitalize on the undersea horror genre. There have been quite a number of underwater horror films about killer crocodiles recently; "Lake Placid", "Primeval" and "Crocodile", among others. "ROGUE" is another horror film about a huge crocodile and while this film may follow the usual stereotypical plot that have plagued the genre for many years, it does have its redeeming moments. It had a very limited theatrical release perhaps because the producers felt that audiences may be a little tired of the "croc on a rampage" storyline?

Pete (Michael Vartan) is a reporter on assignment in the Australian outback. He decides to take a scenic boat tour led by Kate (Radha Mitchell), along with a bunch of other tourists. The folks are enjoying themselves, they take in the sights, swat flies, watch salt water crocs socialize (in a way) with other tourists. During the tour, Kate spots a signal flare and decides to investigate. Once in the secluded site, the group of people realizes that they are in the territory of a monstrous saltwater crocodile that swiftly sinks their boat. The tourists find themselves at the mercy of a huge predator who has a taste for human flesh and the rising waters on a tiny slump of land.

I know what you're thinking, the film must be a rethread of previous monster flicks and there is nothing to see here. Well, the film is written/directed by Greg McLean, also responsible for the torture flick "Wolf Creek". I'm not exactly sure how you felt about that film but I thought "Wolf Creek" wasn't a real effective thriller. "Rogue" does have its flaws but I think Mclean did serve up a solid thriller with his ambitious attempts at intensity and suspense, by not relying on explosions, character stupidity and an overload of blood and gore.

The direction by McLean opted for not giving away too much, too early, and I thought that was a clever move. You don't really see the croc until the 50 minute mark, but the proceedings do give hints of just how big it is by exposing its tail, mouth and just how powerful it is. The film's last act is actually the icing on the cake, when you really see just how HUGELY impressive our antagonist really is. Shades of "JAWS" anyone? The survivors of the attack actually suffer through panic, desperation and fear, but they are not really unlikable characters, just look at them the same way when you visit a new city. You would barely know anything about anyone, so I was able to look past the film`s lack of character development. The film is successful in generating a feeling of claustrophobia and helplessness, as the tide is rising and there's a gigantic man-eater swimming around, that takes them out one by one; McLean also maintains the tension by focusing on the group and not just the "hero" of the film.

Now, the film does take a hit on realism. Saltwater Crocodiles (and no matter how big) are cold-blooded reptiles so when the sun's up, they need to bask in the sun otherwise, well, their blood may stop circulating. I do watch enough of Discovery channel to know this, and well, our killer crocodile seems to be an animal on steroids that he does not need to warm himself up? The film's little "main event" takes place in a not so believable area and our croc`s savagery seem a little too over-the-top. But hey, this is a movie, right? Maybe this is the animal's "rogue" behavior in play?

The film does have the stereotypical characters but thankfully, Mclean manages to fit everything together. "Rogue" isn`t perfect, but it is a lot better than "Primeval". The film is actually is panic-induced piece, while Pete and Kate try their best to outsmart the huge animal and try to survive. The film does have a fair amount of blood and gore but most of the killings happen off-camera, and the CGI effects are solid enough for the most part. The film does deliver a satisfying man vs. monster encounter and the film's direction is competent enough that the film is easily understood and taken in. Mclean also doesn't portray the croc as mindless killing machine bent on just eating anyone in sight, this monster is cunning and he likes and stays within his territory, anyone who marches in is its food.

"ROGUE" is a film with modest intentions and I appreciated McLean's sense of restraint in his direction. He wisely avoids the flashy explosions, the usual perfunctory dialogue in its climax and the film does have a satisfying enough closure. The film is a successful blend of B-movie thrills and chills that is aimed at horror fans. The film does stay true to its limited concept and it does go straight to the conflict. "ROGUE" doesn't reinvent the "monster" genre but it doesn't hurt it either. For a film with a limited budget, it is a satisfying enough diversion.

Recommended timidly, rent it first [3 - Stars]

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