User Reviews

Nothing wrong with yet another killer crocodile movie. Especially one that keeps the beast hidden until the second half. A group of tourists on an Australian river is stranded on a tiny spit of sand after a croc attacks their boat. Trying to get from the spit of sand to the riverbank becomes the group's major challenge as the monster croc picks them off one by one, and their spit of sane begins to go underwater. Radha Mitchell is the tour boat captain and French-born actor Michael Vartan (who bears an uncanny resemblance to Luke Perry here) plays an American journalist. When we finally see the croc, it is huge and fearsome indeed. Vartan ends up in its lair and must face it down. Great CGI and physical special effects. Most of the movie was shot on sets and a back lot, but you'd never know it. A must-see for killer croc fans.

I have a fondness for the killer croc horror sub-genre-from the slow-burn psychological terror and realism of low budget Aussie flick Black Water to the cheesy, B-movie goodness of far trashier fare like Crocodile 2: Death Roll-and was interested in finding out which approach director Greg McLean had opted for with his reptile-on the-rampage offering Rogue. Turns out he went for both.

The film starts in the same vein as Black Water, with river guide Kate Ryan (played by Radha Mitchell) and her boat-load of tourists attacked by a huge saltwater croc, leaving them stranded on an isolated mud-flat as the tide slowly comes in. There's not a lot of croc to be seen in this portion of the film, the tension derived from never knowing where the voracious creature is lurking and when it will attack next. It's slow going but brilliantly executed, and benefits from some lovely cinematography.

Eventually, desperation forces the people to try and find a way off their muddy prison, a decision that results in a couple of casualties, including Kate. After this, the film takes an about turn and becomes a far more commercial beast, with the hero of the piece, travel writer Pete McKell (Michael Vartan), discovering the crocodile's lair (with a little help from Kate's dog) where he miraculously finds Kate still alive. But guess who's on his way home...

This second half of the film is undeniably fun, packed full of thrills aided by very impressive special effects, but the shift in tone is way too abrupt and sits very uncomfortably with all that has gone before. Because of this, I can only declare the film a partial success.

"Welcome to the Terrortory"

An idyllic wildlife cruise disintegrates into terror when a party of tourists are stalked by a massive man-eating crocodile. Pete McKell, a cynical American travel writer, joins a disparate group of holiday-makers on a river cruise through the waters of Kakadu National Park. Initially Pete clashes with their tour captain, Kate, a feisty young woman who assumes he is just another 'city-slicker' in search of a quick thrill. After an uneventful day cruising the river, Kate is reluctantly persuaded to steer their boat into unexplored territory. They discover a secluded lake but terror strikes when their craft receives a powerful blow from beneath the murky depths and begins to sink. With little choice, she beaches the vessel on the closest dry land -a tiny mud island. With a rising tide and only half an hour of daylight left, fear grips the group as they realize they are trapped in the lair of a 'rogue' crocodile, governed only by its need to hunt and kill. Begrudgingly, Pete and Kate join forces to keep hysteria at bay and in the process start to see beyond their initial impressions. Their first attempt to escape fails, but then Pete has an idea - they must trap the crocodile to enable the group to flee to the other side of the island whilst Kate swims for help. Pete volunteers to stand guard, but without warning, the beast breaks free and targets Kate who fails to resurface. As darkness descends and the muddy waters rise, a terrifying struggle ensues with only one probable outcome death.

Rogue all in all, is a solid effort. Wolf Creek director Greg McLean manages to build up the tension only showing glimpses of the horrible monster that lies beneath the swamp for the first half of the movie. These little glimpses alone will definitely scare the bejesus out of you as it doesn't rely on "scare-you-with-a-black-cat" from somewhere like the current trend today in the horror genre. Like I said, he builds and builds the tension, slowly scaring you to death as it all leads up to one mind-blowing, heart pounding finale.

Another factor is the beast itself, the killer Saltwater crocodile. It came off as pretty convincing, the way they rendered the texture, the skin, the whole shebang. The movement of the killer croc was spot-on too. And unlike Lake Placid where the crocodile is as big as the HMS Titanic, this one stayed real giving the killer croc a believable size. All in all, if you crave for some spooky thrills and killer beasts, I suggest you go see this one you won't be disappointed.

Seen at Sitges Film Festival. Before entering the theatre I thought this was going to be an obviously self-conscious splatter b-movie, as we see so many these days. The mother lode was started by "Scream" and has not stopped since then. All in all, however, Rogue comes out as a honestly, straightforwardly enjoyable pop-corn movie with some good moment to remember.

The film superstar is -not surprisingly- the crocodile. The croc is realistic, fun and quite scary. Thumbs up for the special FX guys who did a really good job (otherwise I suspect the movie would be unwatchable). The best scene with the croc is when, after showing itself in full glory, the beast goes under water in the little pool in the cave, and you know it is going to come out in 1 sec or so and you scream for the good guy to do something (which he eventually does). These scenes are a major innovation of the classic "Jaws" stuff we see during the rest of the movie. The most typical "Jaws" shot (swimmer seen from below, hypothetical beast's POV) is repeated several times. Once we even see the back scales of the croc looming over the water like a shark's fin. More Spielbergean inspiration from "Jurassic Park": crocs are explicitly referred to as modern dinosaurs; like JP this is a tale of tourists chased by a reptile during an excursion; croc thuds boat like T-Rex thuds jeep, etc.

Other influences I smelled: "Deliverance" (men in boat cross the wild and get their holiday messed up), Terrence Malick (the cricket close-up), "Alien" (croc's den) and John Carpenter (people on small island besieged by invisible forces).

Acting is surprisingly solid, above all from the supporting characters. Overall, telling who dies next is not 100% predictable, which I consider good value for a b-movie like this; for example, the bad guy turns out to be a hero but gets butchered anyway and the nice doggy dog is not luckier than that. Script is not so bold as to have hero and heroine slaughtered as well, although you may think they are doomed at one point. Score works well underlying scary moments and luxuriant landscapes.

The only thing I am a little upset about is why the hell the guys do not turn off their torches when swimming across the swamp. I am not into crocodiles that much, but I am pretty sure they are not blind

Boat load of people end up stranded on a tidal island in a river when a giant crocodile wrecks their boat and plans to make a meal of them. Beautifully filmed in Australia this would be a perfect film to lure tourists to go see the countries scenic beauty-except that the plot involves a hungry reptile. Actually the problem with the film is that it takes forever to get going with a good 45 minutes passing before the crocodile strands the boat. Up to that point its the typical cruise through the river canyons and getting to know the people. Its a nice idea if it hadn't been done to death. Points to the plot which doesn't take the typical path to the end with everyone being eaten in turn, there are more survivors then you might think, but at the same time, say it with me, we've seen some of it before. Worth a shot in on an undemanding night, but not something that needs to be actively sought out

I can't say much good about this film. The story is mediocre, the effects are dull, the acting pretty weak and the suspense put me to sleep. I'm not kidding! And it'so sad because i've been looking forward to this for about a year now! I really loved the directors first film "wolf creek" and thought this would have the same. I was very very wrong.

Don't bother watching this. It's just not good enough. Go rent "lake placid" instead.

Final words. Greg Mclean has been named as one of the members of the unofficial "the splat pack". This film has got absolutely nothing to do with that.

Greg McLean's follow-up to "Wolf Creek" is nowhere near as gory or brutal as his first film. Instead, it's more of a nod to the classic creature features of the '50s and '70s. The plot can be summed up pretty easily: giant croc menaces boatload tourists in the Northern Territory. That's pretty much it. But it's an enjoyable ride nonetheless. It ticks all the boxes and doesn't really offer any surprises, but it has some good, suspenseful set-pieces. I just have a few problems with it.

* It falls prey to the "import-a-second-rate-American-actor" syndrome that used to plague Aussie films back in the '70s and '80s. Michael Vartan is competent, but he's really just this movie's version of Gregory Harrison from "Razorback." He's good-looking in a male catalogue-model sort of way, but doesn't really set the screen on fire. He's really just there so American audiences have someone they can identify with. When two lowlifes threaten the tourist boat, it's the two American characters that stand up to them. None of the Aussie males on the boat show any cojones, which is disappointing. * The tiny town at the beginning of the film is depicted as a sleazy, seedy, tumbledown dump full of unfriendly locals. Well, I'm sorry, but this is a city slicker's view of the outback. In actual fact, the outback is full of friendly, hospitable, colourful characters who take pride in their meagre towns. Greg McLean obviously hasn't spent much time in rural areas. He's basing his view of country people purely on stereotypes. * McLean shoots mostly in closeups and in the 1.85:1 frame. He has wasted his opportunity to really showcase the Australian landscape. Some wider shots and a 2.35:1 frame would've been much better. I know Sergio Leone shot a lot of closeups, but at least he mixed them up with wider shots. "Rogue" just feels claustrophobic and soundstage-bound a lot of the time. * The first major croc attack that kicks off Act 2 and sinks the tourist boat just lacks impact. It should be far more shocking, but it's just a bit limp. The first tourist death is also portrayed very blandly. It's virtually a non-event, and there doesn't even seem to be much of a horrified reaction to it from the other characters, they're almost just like, "Meh." * The dialogue just doesn't seem all that clever or sharp. I know this is basically a B-movie, but I found myself yearning for the wit that infused the John Sayles-written creature features "Alligator" and "Piranha." Even "Jurassic Park III" had a better script, I found. But in "Rogue", the characters basically just yell at each other and do extremely stupid things that put themselves in jeopardy, which gets annoying after a while. * Barry Otto proves that he is completely useless at playing an ordinary, ocker Aussie. He has a cameo at the start of the film as a publican and his attempt at a true-blue Aussie accent is woeful, even though, ironically, he IS Australian. He sounds like a plummy-voiced, chardonnay-drinking theatre luvvie and overplays his short role, utterly failing to convince anyone that he's a rough-and-tumble outback bartender.

On the plus side:

* The croc is extremely well-done. I couldn't tell which shots were CGI and which shots were animatronic. Kudos to the FX crew. * Radha Mitchell is as dependable as ever. * The cinematography is nice, despite its occasional aforementioned claustrophobia. * Steve Curry has some humorous moments. * The music is nice - very sweeping and grand in parts. * Sam Worthington puts in a good performance. It's easy to see why Jim Cameron hand-picked him for "Avatar." He's got that movie-star quality. * The final set-piece in the croc's lair is very hair-raising and well-done, bringing to mind St George's battle with the dragon.

Overall, a solid B-movie monster mash, a film worthy of being called "Australia's answer to Jaws." McLean will probably be criticized for following up "Wolf Creek" with a film like this, just as Peter Jackson was when he made "King Kong" after LOTR, but remember: McLean wrote the script for "Rogue" years before "Wolf Creek." It almost got off the ground but slid back into development heck, which must've been very frustrating for him, so you can't really blame him for wanting to finally get the movie made and out of his system. I strongly disliked "Wolf Creek", but I liked this one, and it'll be interested to see how he matures as a filmmaker.

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)".

I just watched this last night on DVD and I was pleasantly surprised by how taut and tense the film was. The atmosphere created by the location of the film play a major role in the creepiness factor here - rock faces look twisted and contorted, the murky green of the water becomes steadily more and more foreboding and the general sense of isolation is excellently conveyed by the sweeping vistas of the lovely aerial shots. I think that some audiences might not like the fact that much of the background of the characters is only hinted at and not spelled out. If you are observant you will pick several things up about the various people on the tour boat but, having said that, some things are left completely unexplained. I think that this works to the films advantage, though. A lean running time is a key factor in making a film like this work and 'Rogue' ticks this box by clocking in at just over 90 mins. The music of the film merits special mention, too. Often a film like this suffers from having no distinguishable score to carry it but 'Rogue' has some quite lovely pieces accompanying many scenes. If anything, I found the final act of the film (in the Croc's lair) the least satisfying part of the film. This third act feels like an incongruous mainstream gesture in an otherwise smart horror flick. I also detected perhaps a wee nod to Lee Tamahori's extremely under-rated man vs. nature flick 'The Edge' here. Overall, the tension of this film is great and the performances of the actors are uniformly solid. A good horror flick.

A bunch of strangers get on a boat and go for a sightseeing tour just like in the TV show Gilligan's Island; things take a turn for the worse, they get stranded and have to do their best to survive.

But, this isn't a comedy, just a PREDICTABLE gator flick. It starts out slow and drags on from their.

On the plus side there are some nice landscape scenes as the tour goes up-river at the beginning (but, a nice postcard has the same effect).

And, the fake crocodile is believable which is a plus as a lot of gator flicks can't even get that right.

There are a couple major problems.

1). The second half of the film is way too dark. Yes, it's shot at night, but numerous other films competently manage this challenge. Here, one can hardly see anything for far too long and so one ends up losing interest in the story. This is video not radio so one wants to be able to see the action.

2). Too many background characters on the boat. These characters don't add anything to the story and their not developed enough so no one cares about them. Maybe they were included to keep people guessing who will be eaten next, but it's easily predictable who will get it and when.

The film starts n ends with the camera zooming in on a newspaper article regarding giant crocodiles. The initial scene of the newspaper cutting is very disturbing n scary regarding a 12 year old devoured wholly by a giant crocodile.

The film is about a group of tourists in Australia who fall prey to a giant, man-eating crocodile after they venture far off into the creature's territory. They take shelter on a mud island which is slowly submerging cos the river being a tidal one. The film has beautiful cinematography of the Northern territory of Australia. This is a must watch for horror fans. This is one of the best horror film about a giant crocodile.

Character of Mitchell surving n the lead actor landing coincidentally at the exact place where Mitchell is lying is way too over the top. We have a Jason Clarke lookalike, an overweight one with a funky tshirt. I recognized Robert Taylor (Storm Warning). Didn't recognize Sam Worthington that time. We also have John Jarratt (Wolf Creek) in a not so memorable role. Director McLean created some solid tension with enuff kills. I first saw this in 2008 on a dvd which I own. Revisited it recently.