Terror bajo el agua

Greg McLean is looking to be someone to watch out for. After scaring audiences witless with his Aussie outback shocker "Wolf Creek" and hurting the Australian Tourism Board immensely his back at it again. However, this time he replaces a serial killer with a 7 metre saltwater crocodile who's hungry for humans and luckily a boat full of them arrives at his doorstep.

McLean doesn't waste time with a huge story, it is very basic and to the point. Pete McKell is an American travel writer who travels the world and writes about the places he visits. He is sent to the Northern Territory to go on a river cruise which is lead by Kate Ryan (Radha Mitchell). On board there are plenty of other tourists waiting to become bait.

The movie starts off with some beautiful scenes of Australian outback, they are absolutely stunning. When the action starts, though, it never lets up. For the rest of the movie I was on the edge of my seat, McLean really knows how to racket up the tension. It helps that the river is murky and we don't see too much of our monster until the end. And when we do see our crocodile friend it is amazing. Part CG and part animatronics, the crocodile looks very good and very menacing.

The acting is good all round, although the characters aren't hugely deep, the actors do a good job of making us love them or hate them. Particularly good is John Jarret (of Wolf Creek fame) and Radha Mitchell (Silent Hill).

For those that like blood and gore you won't be too disappointed, there is some and it's nice and bloody when it comes.

3½/5

To begin with, wolf creek was a solid horror film, certainly not mainstream, quite a challenge to watch, rather sordid and macabre, pretty much unwatchable, though i admired it's stylish look, and its daring. Rogue has the same sort of appeal, though it is far more accessible, the suspense is brilliant, keeping the crock hidden for most of the show, this makes the film hugely successful, but little glimpses, a tail, a missing tourist, who was there only a second ago, really makes the film one that makes you laugh that giddy fear laugh we all know. This film had my nerves in a stitch and it was all brought together by a heart pounding finale. Another thing that really proved affective was the films realism, the crock looked very real, was of plausible size, but most definitely wasn't small. if you love the old school suspense tricks of Alien (i stress this film is not in the same league) then this is definitely a good night at the movies.

Recommendation: nothing can really prepare you

It took me two full years to get around to seeing Rogue. Its been on my watch-list since its release, mostly because it was directed by Greg Mclean who did such an excellent job with "Wolf Creek", but I figured it would just be a step or two up from a good SyFy channel creature feature... maybe on a par with Lake Placid or its ilk, so I took my sweet time getting to it.

Wow was I surprised!

Just like Wolf Creek, Rogue builds slowly and steadily, introducing us to a group of sympathetic, yet humanly flawed characters. This is a great change of scenery from the usual Hollywood "model" stereotypes that usually fill such films. There's not a teenage jock or beach babe in sight. Likewise, the film takes its time to really set the location down in stone, with lingering shots on the wildlife and scenery that make you really feel like you're in the location with the characters.

When the action starts, it moves quickly but believably. Remember in "Deep Blue Sea" when the entire plot pivoted on the fact that a helicopter winch unexpectedly shorted out? Well, there are no such illogical coincidences or convenient plot accidents here. Everything the characters do, and everything the animal does, is explained logically and realistically. This makes the whole scenario frighteningly believable because very rarely does any character do something that makes you say "Oh C'mon!". Another refreshing change from the Hollywood norm.

The plot itself is pretty basic - our protagonists are stranded on a tiny island in a tidal river. They have a few hours before the tide engulfs the ground beneath their feet. Their boat is wrecked. It would be a case of simply swimming to the embankment and walking home if it weren't for the fact that a territorial 25-foot Crocodile has them pinned to the landmass. It could be the setup for a terrible, poorly done, B-movie, but Mclean takes his time and paces it so well as to make the whole thing seem very real and very dangerous. It's not entirely predictable either... if you could accurately guess at the opening of this film which characters live and which die I would be impressed. I've seen the large majority of animal attack offerings and this is one of the first that kept me guessing.

I'm truly amazed that Rogue doesn't get more conversation and critical acclaim. I'd say as far as animal attack horror movies go, this one should take a place on the winners podium right up there alongside "The Host" and "Jaws". It's a fantastic movie and it deserves the recognition.

In the Northern Australia, a group of tourists goes on tour in the Ryan's Wildlife River Cruise to see crocodiles in the Australian Outback in the boat The Suzanne with the guide Kate Ryan (Radha Mitchell). When they are ready to return, one tourist sees a distress flare 3 km upstream the river and Kate heads the boat to an unexplored territory. They are attacked by a huge crocodile, the boat sinks and the hysterical group is trapped in a small muddy island stalked by the crocodile. However, the high tide forces the group to move, and the American journalist Pete McKell (Michael Vartan) has an idea to hold the killer croc while the group swims to the other side of the river.

"Rogue" is a light version of the tense, realistic and dramatic "Black Water", which is based on a true event. The beginning is well developed and tense, but in a certain moment the story becomes unrealistic and corny with a silly conclusion. Anyway, "Rogue" is an entertaining adventure, and the viewers that have not watched "Black Water" or appreciate a commercial happy ending, will certainly like this flick much more than I did. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Morte Súbita" ("Sudden Death")

I thought this would be a real cheesy B movie but was in for a great surprise.

Starting with the cinematography and the initial town scenes I figured this may be half decent. Things picked up even more with the scenes on the boat introducing the characters. Small touches like the guy letting his loved ones ashes into the water and the photographer having a sly chow down on a hidden sandwich were really cool touches. Bigger budget films should take note! It got better from there, not showing too much of the croc and building suspense with good pacing and realistic reactions from the cast. The cinematography and editing on the river journey were great. After seeing this I almost want to go to the Northern Territories. Almost, but not after the Croc finally shows its face.

This is one primal beast. The film does a good job of keeping it under wraps for the early portion of the film but when it finally shows its face its a great moment. The visual fx are faultless and the croc acts in a very realistic manner.

In the second act the filmmakers do a great job at ratcheting up suspense, using a great set up involving the river. I wont spoil it here but its so simple but very effective.

I am a jaded monster film fan and this one had me wanting to see it for a second time straight away.

Crocs and Alligators seem to be the whipping boys of the film industry with so many comedy or low budget appearances. To finally to see one with real teeth and to give it a go with a good story and great fx is fantastic. I would recommend this to anyone after a monster night out.