Robocroc

OK, so, we know that the writers of SyFy movies have a thing for tornadoes, sharks, crocodilians, cyborgs, and all manner of mythical monsters. They mix and match at will, things that go together, and those that don't. And they like those things to be big. They've given us things like Alien Tornado, Metal Tornado, Ice Twisters, Dinocroc, Supergator, Supergator vs Dinocroc, Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus, Megaconda, Crocogator, Mega Python vs Gatoroid, Ragin Cajun Redneck Gators, Dinoshark, Ghost Shark, Sharktopus, Sharknado, and the list goes on (I made up one of those movie names. Can you tell which one?).

I try to rate SyFy movies fairly, only comparing them to other SyFy offerings, because, to be honest, they stand alone. I mean, you just have to sit back and laugh when a movie called Chupacabra vs The Alamo is shown. In that regard, I think Robocroc was above average. You've got your nanite-infested zoo crocodile that turns into metal and jumps through the air and chomps its way through a helicopter. What's not to like? You even get "robocroc view", seeing things through the robocroc's eyes, a la The Terminator ("Food Detected").

My only problem at this point is that the writers of these things seem to be stuck in a loop they can't escape. They keep going over the same, well trodden ground. These movies are missing something basic; creativity. Where are the cool things we haven't seen before? Where are the space aliens? Ah well, with these budgets, I guess you can't be too fussy.

So let us guess what will be next- I'm thinking Robocroc vs Sharkinator.

Trying to control a top-secret experiment, a military scientist reluctantly teams up with a zoo-keeper when it appears the experiment mutates one of the resident crocodiles into a cybernetic fusion and must try to stop it before it's rampage grows out of control.

This here turns out to be quite an entertaining and enjoyably cheesy offering. While the general plot device of allowing a normal crocodile to be infected and infused with cybernetic robotics to turn it into a killing machine is flat-out ludicrous, the manner in which it goes about dealing with this is quite nice with the overall deception played throughout the film against the zoo personnel, and in return, the viewer so we don't know any more than what's told. This makes for a potentially-frustrating time since there's little nuggets placed that aren't quite as forthcoming in revealing what's going on as it should be, and the final twist that enables the whole conflict to continue on is quite irritating for it's decision to incorporate such a clichéd option to keep this one going after the appropriate finale that was given here. That said, there's plenty to love in the film's outright cheesiness, which is just pure fun with the film getting a lot of play out of the initial concept of a robotic crocodile going on a rampage with the as-per-usual lame CGI keeping the sections of robotics coming through the normal crocodilian skin looking rather cheesy, there's some nice action scenes of both the crocodile in the adjacent water-park chomping on tourists to the military's battles with the creature in the open and utterly failing. It's actually quite fun and enjoyable for what it is.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Language.

I really do like Dee Wallace - and while she has quite a big role in this (not as big as the croc obviously, no pun intended), she can't really help elevate the movie either. This is low budget so I can see that some are able to cut this more slack than others. I also am happy for the at least one person who really enjoyed watching this. The majority of the viewers will feel differently.

You don't have to just suspend your disbelief - you have to shoot it into outer space. Kidding aside, the movie has dialog that is cringe worthy, CGI that obviously is not good at all and a predictibility rate that is beyond anything one can measure ... maybe take a look at the trailer and decide if you want to embark onto this "adventure"

While the title of the movie is just dripping with everything campy, cheesy and low budget, then "Robocroc" actually turned out to be entertaining enough to watch. How so? Well, in a campy, cheesy, low budget kind of way.

The story is about a military rocket crashing during an accident and experimental nanotech robots escape and take up residency in a huge crocodile, turning the ferocious predator into a massive steel predator instead. This robotic predator is killing and spreading terror in a local wild- and amusement park.

The storyline was as predictable as it comes, and it was also as cheesy as it comes. I mean, nanotech robots turning a crocodile into a robotic version of itself? Sure, why not...

As far as the acting goes, well with a movie of this particular type and caliber, you know exactly what you are going to get and what kind of talents will be in the movie. And they were right on the dime.

Effects-wise, well then "Robocroc" was actually adequate enough. Sure, there were moments where you have to struggle not to smirk or laugh at the horribly animated CGI crocodile, but once it turned full robotic, it actually looked quite nice.

"Robocroc" is the type of movie that you watch when you have nothing else to watch, or when you need some kind of pointless entertaining on the screen while nurturing a bad hangover.

In this standard sub-par "Syfy" TV Movie, a water park called "Adventure Cove" is terrorized after debris from outer space causes a crocodile named "Stella" to turn robotic and attack people. Resident zoo-keeper Corin Nemec (as Jim Duffy), the man who brought "Stella" to the park, takes the heroic leading role. Newly hired marine biologist Lisa McAllister (as Jane Spencer) arrives, coincidently, to assist. Also appearing are sneaky scientist Dee Wallace (as Riley) and US military man Steven Hartley (as Montgomery). Already making the scene is Mr. Nemec's son Jackson Bews (as Rob). He may stand a chance with attractive Florence Brudenell-Bruce (as Sydney), who arouses with a bikini and other skimpy clothing. More fully dressed, Ms. Wallace is also fun to watch.

**** Robo Croc (9/14/013) Arthur Sinclair ~ Corin Nemec, Lisa McAllister, Jackson Bews, Dee Wallace