Ragin Cajun Redneck Gators

Even though they reach a limited audience, 2013 has been the year for Syfy films. With it's original name, Sci-fi, it's was a channel in the beginning that brought us reruns of old films and some original films that didn't really have an audience. As time went on, the channel delivered some popular TV shows including Ghost Hunter and also cult shows like Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Firefly. In 2010, it made a drastic change when it broadcasted WWE Smackdown drawing in the wrestling audience. Through the power of social media including twitter in 2013, it's original film Sharknado was a major hit that brought much more attention to the channel. Because of the Sharknado hit, their films are finding more of a audience. These films are very strange and all over the spectrum including Aladdin and the Death Lamp, Ghost Shark and Flying Monkeys. Ragin' Cajun Redneck Gators is another film to add to this strange collection.

Ragin' Cajun Redneck Gators is set in the swaps of Louisiana where a Cajun redneck community finds themselves getting attacked by strange killer gators. These gators are far from typical, quite dangerous and more than what they seem.

Like Sharknado and Ghost Shark, there is a definite lack of budget but an extra effort by the filmmakers to make this work is evident. There are Cajun rednecks that are funny and kind of realistic, mutant gators, and a Romeo and Juliet love story involving feuding families. It's all a unique and interesting combination.

Unlike the Ghost Shark and Shakando, we don't care much about these characters. Attractive lead character, Jordan Hinson plays Avery from one of the feuding families but nothing memorable really comes from her performance. Her love interest, Tristan (Victor Webster) is a character who is frankly limited and who we don't really root for even though he is in danger from the gators throughout. The only positive person who steals the show is Michael Baird who plays Avery's father Dale. He has an excellent Cajun accent and is a charismatic "life of the party" kind of character who kind of steals the show.

For what it is trying to be, Ragin' Cajun Redneck Gators should have been better. It has a good original idea and tries to go with it but falls a little flat because I think it tries to do much. Because of that, I think it is probably the weakest Syfy films of 2013.

Bottomline, miserable. I don't know what was worse, the story, the way all the scenes were filmed, the alligator that looked like it was cut from a video game, the acting that was dreadful, or the quoting... 1-2/10

If you want a serious movie don't watch this one. If you want fun and entertainment without having to do too much thinking this one is for you. One of the better SyFy B-flicks I've seen in a while and I love me some SyFy B-flicks. Yes its campy and the effects could of been better but there is worse out there. If you're a Lake Placid fan (the SyFy ones not part 1) then this is definitely worth watching. Bonus is that Jordan Hinson from Eureka (Zoe) is in it which makes it worth watching. The acting isn't too terrible and the story could use a little more omph. But the premise for the movie is original and comedic. Not a lot of gore which is good if you're not into buckets and buckets of blood and guts. One of the better monster/animal horror movies that SyFy has put out. Better than Piranahconda and Sharktopus.

Pouring rank blue chemicals in a Louisiana swamp somehow causes the alligator population to morph into monstrous creatures with werewolfish vampirisms. They have cool spikes in their tails, which are used to immobilize victims before the kill. Like the title reveals, they have red necks. The local redneck population consists mostly of two extended families, who feud like the Hatfields and the McCoys. They also drink, hunt and eat like slobs. Our heroine is leggy Jordan Hinson (as Avery Doucette). She left the area to attend college and avoid becoming another of the "in-bred bottom feeders" noted in the script...

While away at school, Ms. Avery gave up her gun-toting ways (she's a sure-shot, naturally) and became an animal-loving vegan. Her refusal to hunt alligators will come and go, depending upon the situation. Of course, she's carrying on a romance with the rival family's most eligibly muscular member, John Chriss (as Dathan Robichaud). Several in the supporting cast, led by spitting Christopher Berry (as Bud), have fun. Gold-toothed Ritchie Montgomery (as Lucien Doucette) and oddly-accented Thomas Francis Murphy (as Wade Robichaud) are the hammy family patriarchs. Over the top Amy Brassette (as Candy) has a blast.

**** Ragin Cajun Redneck Gators (9/5/13) G.E. Furst ~ Jordan Hinson, John Chriss, Christopher Berry, Ritchie Montgomery

RELEASED TO TV IN 2013 and directed by Griff Furst, "Ragin' Cajun Redneck Gators" (aka "Alligator Alley") takes place in the Louisiana bayous when Avery (Jordan Hinson) returns from college (indoctrinated by liberalism, of course) to her redneck homestead where her kin are still feuding with a neighboring family. While she secretly dates the handsome son of the enemy (John Chriss), literal red-necked gators attack, mutated by bad moonshine that was poured into the swamp. But something even worse starts happening.

The title keys off that this is a campy, silly monster movie and not to be taken seriously, although there's some semi-serious dramatics and horrifics. Anyone wanting solemn horror should go to the Exit now. Jordan Hinson as the protagonist is a major attraction as she's winsome and all-around easy on the eyes. There's a little bit of "The Alligator People" (1959) thrown in to keep things interesting. Bottom Line: It's not great, but it's mildly entertaining as an amusing creature feature. Just remember: If the rednecks don't get ya... the gators will.

THE MOVIE RUNS 88 minutes and was shot in St. Amant & Baton Rouge, Louisiana. WRITERS: Keith Allan, Rafael Jordan & Delondra Williams.

GRADE: C+