8:07 PM, 3rd March, 2000
Lake Placid is Jaws set in a lake, with a crocodile instead of the shark. The difference here is that the writer, David E. Kelly, hasn't tried for the serious horror approach. Perhaps he knew that we would laugh at it anyway so tried to give the appearance of making it deliberate by putting the odd funny line (he probably tried for more, but I just didn't find them funny) and classifying the film as comedy/horror.
I've read some reviews, and one said it was a mechanical croc, whilst another said it was computer graphics. Having now seen the film, I'd have to go with mechanical, but perhaps I'm showing my ignorance and naivety here. Anyway, it was a huge one that I'm not sure even Crocodile Dundee could win over.
One criticism I have (do I really only have one? Well, no, but I'm trying to be brief) is the predictability of it all. It was like watching an episode of 'Star Trek' where you can pick the victim by the non-character additions to the party. Oops, have I just ruined it for you?
OK, the general plot (please look away now if you don't want a very general plot outline) is that a big thing has eaten a man in Lake Placid, Maine. Bill Pullman (a Fisheries and Wildlife-type guy) and Bridget Fonda (a paleontologist from New York) are sent to work out what it is and/or kill it. Joining in the party is Oliver Platt, a rich guy who follows crocodiles all over the world. One question... why? OK, they do give an explanation of sorts but I still don't get it. Perhaps he's seen too many episodes of 'Crocodile Hunter', with the excitement that came with nearly being eaten. All that said, it's still an enjoyable film in which I found myself cheering for the crocodile.
Jacinta Nicol
9:29 PM, 3rd March, 2000
Chris Blair (Prinze Jr.) is a hotshot space pilot, newly assigned to the Tiger Claw along with his academy buddy, Maniac (Matthew Lillard). On board his ship, he clashes with the executive officer, has a reluctant supporter in the Captain, and falls in love with his squadron commander (Saffron Burrows). Oh, and he saves the universe along the way.
Just to be completely clear - this movie is total rubbish. Oh, it's entertaining on a certain level, and the special effects are quite good. But the script is utter pap, the acting atrocious, and the situations stolen poorly from many other films. The film is based on a quite popular computer game, and it's a sad commentary that the game had better writing, better acting, and bigger stars (Mark Hamill, Malcolm McDowell, and John Rhys Davies) than this does. Worth a watch, but don't expect to be very impressed.
Robert Ewing