American journalist/city boy Pete arrives in the Northern Territory, but soon as he gets there, his luggage is lost at the airport, poor mobile coverage and a stinking hot day wearing nothing but business clothing. He joins a boat tour group led by a gritty Australian gal Kate, and along for the ride are some local visitors and overseas' sight-seers. The day has come to an end, but a flare in the distance captures their attention. Being oblige to check it out, they come across a cap-sized boat. Then suddenly their boat is mysteriously rammed, and they crash into an island, which eventually in hours will be under water. But in the water, happens to be a crocodile that's stalking its prey.
Tourism to Australia's outback won't be receiving any favours after Greg McLean's 2005 grim serial killer film "Wolf Creek" and now he chalks up a gripping monster sized croc feature "Rogue (2007)". If any of these films are anything to go by, I seriously lay in wait for next wondrous, realistic thrill ride. Actually I came out of the cinema, and I just didn't know what to think of "Rogue". It ain't spectacular and noway does it match the impact of his predecessor, but this one the make-up is different and for most part it does push all the right buttons and is impeccably crafted. Both movies basically share the same imprint of a forlorn location, and predatory instincts. Director/writer McLean's latest chapter more so plays on the escalating fear, and drumming up excitement and adrenaline in a fun manner compared with his debut feature that heavily relied on the nasty and unpleasant images, and the lingering dread that awaited the characters. Just like "Wolf Creek", the opening set-up of the characters in "Rogue" is casually paced, as we soak up the awe-inspiring backdrop caught beautifully by Will Gibson's well-etched scenic cinematography. The passengers on board are typical stereotypes, which are roughly drawn up despite spending plenty of time with them at the get-go.
I was thinking since there was a lot of details brought up, but not entirely explored enough to flesh them out. There was going to be numerous body count to the fodder to rid us of that problem, as the cast would be picked off one by one in what would turn out to be a basic, but surely pulsating monster feature. But I was wrong on that aspect too! McLean could have let it go overboard and just give in to providing us a repetitive body count, but instead he steers clear away by drawing upon well-organised biting suspense, humidly remote locations and a spectacular looking CGI crossed animatronics crocodile. These days I find the majority of special effects to overkill on CGI, but the FX team here do an excellent job creating an authentic looking beast. McLean also likes to keep it mainly in the shadows, with only showing glimpses of it until the film's closing. Even the way it goes about things and takes out its victims, is true to its sources. Just look at the deadly tumble roll. Blood and carnage sees very little daylight, as the deaths (some off-screen but definitely felt) happen to be very sudden, lethal and over in a matter of seconds. You have no time to blink! This makes it more believable, and suit's the striking reality of these predators. However there is one circumstance that bugged me, and destroyed what lasting impression the film could've finished off with. For me to talk about it would be too much of a big spoiler, but I think you'll know when it happens.
Characters are conventionally thin (though it seems like it was on purpose, as we're left to wonder), and the loose script is rather secondary lacking a polished touch and the finale lacks an almighty sting. You might have one of your eye-brows raised, but making up for its faults is McLean's economical direction, and the technical side of the production. McLean knows how to alienate you in the unsparing environment, and unbearable situation with his vivid directorial eye and always tightly composed touch. Visually there are some great brushes. He leisurely lets it tick along, but when it gets into it. The showcase begins, as the feverishly fast-paced suspense is emotionally jarring without using any sort of jump-scare tactics. The staging of the edge-of-seat climax is completely first-rate. Not only do the characters have the croc to worry about, but also they're ravaged by ecological barriers, their own fears and finally each others. The laid-back premise might be a cut-out, but he throws up one or two surprises and demonstrates a clever, thrifty outlook from a screenplay of genre clichés. The sprawling music score is well-rounded, and harrowing with scope. Even the sound FX emerges with great intensity, and a swiftly clean ambiance that only enhances the atmosphere. Editing is sharp, art direction is expertly handled and the kinetic camera shots during the action sequences never become too disorienting. Some inventive camera-work can be found too.
Performances won't set the world alight, but they shape up even though there's very little to work with. Michael Vartan is agreeable in the rugged central role of Pete. Across from him is a down-to-earth, and superbly gusty turn by Radha Mitchell as tour guide Kate. Australian locals fill the support cast. A sullen looking John Jarrett is fine, Stephen Curry twitchy photographer slightly amuses and Sam Worthington's mildly intense, blunt character gains your interest to be only swept under the rug. The rest of the support are decent, but on an emotional level very little do you care about this lot.
This tour is nothing out of the ordinary, but still manages to be an eventful and effectively bravura ride when let loose. There's a lot of promise here, and it would make great a double feature with another (but hard to find) killer crocodile film starring John Jarratt; "Dark Age (1987)".
Tourism to Australia's outback won't be receiving any favours after Greg McLean's 2005 grim serial killer film "Wolf Creek" and now he chalks up a gripping monster sized croc feature "Rogue (2007)". If any of these films are anything to go by, I seriously lay in wait for next wondrous, realistic thrill ride. Actually I came out of the cinema, and I just didn't know what to think of "Rogue". It ain't spectacular and noway does it match the impact of his predecessor, but this one the make-up is different and for most part it does push all the right buttons and is impeccably crafted. Both movies basically share the same imprint of a forlorn location, and predatory instincts. Director/writer McLean's latest chapter more so plays on the escalating fear, and drumming up excitement and adrenaline in a fun manner compared with his debut feature that heavily relied on the nasty and unpleasant images, and the lingering dread that awaited the characters. Just like "Wolf Creek", the opening set-up of the characters in "Rogue" is casually paced, as we soak up the awe-inspiring backdrop caught beautifully by Will Gibson's well-etched scenic cinematography. The passengers on board are typical stereotypes, which are roughly drawn up despite spending plenty of time with them at the get-go.
I was thinking since there was a lot of details brought up, but not entirely explored enough to flesh them out. There was going to be numerous body count to the fodder to rid us of that problem, as the cast would be picked off one by one in what would turn out to be a basic, but surely pulsating monster feature. But I was wrong on that aspect too! McLean could have let it go overboard and just give in to providing us a repetitive body count, but instead he steers clear away by drawing upon well-organised biting suspense, humidly remote locations and a spectacular looking CGI crossed animatronics crocodile. These days I find the majority of special effects to overkill on CGI, but the FX team here do an excellent job creating an authentic looking beast. McLean also likes to keep it mainly in the shadows, with only showing glimpses of it until the film's closing. Even the way it goes about things and takes out its victims, is true to its sources. Just look at the deadly tumble roll. Blood and carnage sees very little daylight, as the deaths (some off-screen but definitely felt) happen to be very sudden, lethal and over in a matter of seconds. You have no time to blink! This makes it more believable, and suit's the striking reality of these predators. However there is one circumstance that bugged me, and destroyed what lasting impression the film could've finished off with. For me to talk about it would be too much of a big spoiler, but I think you'll know when it happens.
Characters are conventionally thin (though it seems like it was on purpose, as we're left to wonder), and the loose script is rather secondary lacking a polished touch and the finale lacks an almighty sting. You might have one of your eye-brows raised, but making up for its faults is McLean's economical direction, and the technical side of the production. McLean knows how to alienate you in the unsparing environment, and unbearable situation with his vivid directorial eye and always tightly composed touch. Visually there are some great brushes. He leisurely lets it tick along, but when it gets into it. The showcase begins, as the feverishly fast-paced suspense is emotionally jarring without using any sort of jump-scare tactics. The staging of the edge-of-seat climax is completely first-rate. Not only do the characters have the croc to worry about, but also they're ravaged by ecological barriers, their own fears and finally each others. The laid-back premise might be a cut-out, but he throws up one or two surprises and demonstrates a clever, thrifty outlook from a screenplay of genre clichés. The sprawling music score is well-rounded, and harrowing with scope. Even the sound FX emerges with great intensity, and a swiftly clean ambiance that only enhances the atmosphere. Editing is sharp, art direction is expertly handled and the kinetic camera shots during the action sequences never become too disorienting. Some inventive camera-work can be found too.
Performances won't set the world alight, but they shape up even though there's very little to work with. Michael Vartan is agreeable in the rugged central role of Pete. Across from him is a down-to-earth, and superbly gusty turn by Radha Mitchell as tour guide Kate. Australian locals fill the support cast. A sullen looking John Jarrett is fine, Stephen Curry twitchy photographer slightly amuses and Sam Worthington's mildly intense, blunt character gains your interest to be only swept under the rug. The rest of the support are decent, but on an emotional level very little do you care about this lot.
This tour is nothing out of the ordinary, but still manages to be an eventful and effectively bravura ride when let loose. There's a lot of promise here, and it would make great a double feature with another (but hard to find) killer crocodile film starring John Jarratt; "Dark Age (1987)".