Killer Crocodile 2

As with many monster movies, you may ask yourself: how hungry is a crocodile? Also is it a crocodile or an alligator? I read the distinction and explanation what is what, but I forgot it since I did. But that shouldn't matter - as it doesn't matter if you've seen the first one or not. Although it is the better "movie" of the two. So if you only watch one of these, watch the previous one. On the other hand this has the beautfiul Debra Karr undressing herself - so maybe it's a tie for some.

That aside the monster is the highlight again. The hungry hippo ... I mean crocodile. Really great monster, because it was made and interacted with the actors instead of being rendered in later. Well done and a lot of gore and mayhem. But no story apart from being the ... spawn of the first one and having some ... leftovers from the previous movie to ... chew on. Enough jokes? Well don't expect the dialog in this to be better, the opposite is the case

"Killer Crocodile 2" isn't about to mess with a formula, as it proceeds to offer lovers of Euro-cheese more of the same things we got with the first "Killer Crocodile". The lovely Debra Karr (in one of only two feature film appearances) is an appreciably feisty leading lady as reporter Liza, sent to a Caribbean swamp to investigate nefarious doings by an evil developer named Baxter. Once again, the swamp is being polluted with illegal disposal of radioactive waste. And once again, an enormous, homicidal reptile shows up to munch on as many unlucky humans as it can. Richard Anthony Crenna, a handsome lad who is not particularly blessed with acting talent, returns as the hero Kevin, although he doesn't show up until the movie is almost half over.

Italian effects master Giannetto De Rossi, who also designed our monster antagonist, proves to be at least somewhat capable in the directors' chair, delivering to us undemanding thrills for a little under an hour and a half. Granted, any parts of the plot devoted to the criminal goings-on, cover-ups, and Liza's un-P.C. bantering with her colleagues back in NYC are never as fun as when the croc makes its appearances and does what it does best. To further illustrate the fact that the screenwriters (including producer Fabrizio De Angelis and the prolific Dardano Sacchetti) don't really want to stray from what they felt made the first movie work, they bring back crusty, Crocodile Dundee wannabe Joe (Ennio Girolami) to be Crenna's cohort for a brief portion of the running time.

The music by the great Riz Ortolani is fun, especially when he's riffing on John Williams' classic "Jaws" theme. The effects are sometimes dodgy, but at least this animatronic croc is still highly preferable to a digital one. De Rossi and company don't skimp when it comes to suggesting the creatures' size. The dialogue and the performances are extremely cheesy, with some genuine laugh out loud moments. (Such as Kevin's reaction to Liza's desire for sex late in the game.)

For a sequel that was quickly banged out (it was actually filmed at the same time as the original), with not much thought put into the script, this does entertain solidly - in a purely tacky way, of course.

Seven out of 10.

A corrupt land developer is pursued by a tenacious and ambitious investigative journalist (Karr) after another journalist uncovers evidence of radioactive waste being dumped in the local swamps. But when our rogue reporter goes missing in the swamps, her employer calls in the expert – Anthony Crenna, appearing half way through the film as the visiting specialist on all-things swamp, like gi-normous crocodiles. Through a series of painful recollections, Crenna labours in the tortured soul characterisation, and re-acquaints with local game hunter Girolami to go in search of another giant crocodile, and hopefully, find Karr alive and well.

Former special effects man De Rossi follows up the mediocre 1989 offering with this flimsy concept of a sequel. There's even less to this outing than the original – ridiculous dialogue (although it's impossible to tell just how bad it is, considering the English dub), laughable set-ups and a puerile make-up effects leave little room for suspense, thrills or basic plot cohesion. Awkward attempts at humour fail miserably, but then the acting is so stilted and amateurish, it would be unfair to expect a cast of this quality to master the timing required to deliver comedy, when they struggle attempting to convey fear and surprise. The crocodile itself moves through the water like it's being towed by an outboard.

Leading man Crenna (Richard's son) arrives in the second half with immediate impact, while the bubbly and effervescent Karr is enthusiastic, if somewhat at the mercy of the poor script. "Killer Crocodile 2" is a virtual carbon copy of its predecessor and looks like director De Rossi (who provided the special effects for the first film) combined mostly out-takes and left-over footage to cobble together a quick cash-in. If there's any redeemable features at all, the music isn't bad, and, Enio Girolami (aka Thomas Moore) is laughably intense, but there's little more to recommend. I paid $2 for this movie as an ex-rental, and that's about the worth.

I'm a fan of movie composer Riz Ortolani, but his music for the Killer Crocodile movies is uninspired and unoriginal, Ortolani shamelessly ripping off John Williams' score for Jaws. Still, I guess it's fitting in a way, because both Killer Croc films are far from groundbreaking, borrowing heavily from earlier examples of the 'killer animal' genre, including - of course - Spielberg's '75 classic.

Italian special effects man Giannetto De Rossi dusts off his humongous reptile model from the original film (although I'm not sure if the word 'original' is really applicable) and also takes over the directorial reins (from Fabrizio De Angelis), but he is unable to bring anything new to the table, his sequel treading the same murky water as the first film, taking place in the same location - a Caribbean swamp - and featuring two of the same characters, croc expert Joe (Ennio Girolami) and (ex) environmentalist Kevin (Richard Anthony Crenna).

Kevin is sent to the swamp to help feisty New York reporter Liza (Debra Karr) on her assignment to investigate unscrupulous property developer Mr. Baxter, who plans to open a swanky holiday resort despite having dumped barrels of radioactive material in the area. As it happens, nuclear waste is the least of their problems: there's another massive killer crocodile in the water, chomping on anyone who ventures into his stomping ground (including a couple of nuns and a load of school children!).

Although it's far from a great film, if you enjoyed the first one, then there's a good chance you'll have fun with this sequel as well, De Rossi delivering lots of trashy croc action and a smidgen of gore, with more than a little silliness and even some gratuitous nudity (which was sorely lacking from De Angelis' film). The giant crocodile itself is a passable creation, but still shonky enough to provide a few giggles; however, the funniest moment comes at the end of the film, when the special effects 'genius' swaps his oversized toothy horror for a miniature, complete with 'action man figure' clinging to its back. It's so bad it's impossible not to love.

4.5/10, rounded up to 5 for IMDb.

KILLER CROCODILE 2 picks up right where part one ended, which isn't surprising since the sequel was made immediately after the first one was finished. It opens with another hopeless imbecile being consumed by the rubber behemoth. It then switches to the nefarious activities of the polluters from part one, and their love of toxic waste.

Enter tough-as-nails, ace reporter, Liza Post (Debra Karr). She's dispatched to the very area where the croc troubles were / are, in order to track down clues on the polluting criminals.

Meanwhile, the monster lizard is busy eating students from a religious school, along with a nun!

As all sequels seem to do, this one attempts to be bigger and more exciting than its predecessor. In this, it somewhat succeeds by having even more idiot human snacks for the monster to chew on, though it might get indigestion from some of them. They're pretty nasty people! Also, we're shown far more of the creature, leading to several laugh-out-loud moments of pure schlock perfection!

Do Not Miss The Explosive, Utterly Absurd Finale!

Watch for Richard Anthony Crenna who returns as Kevin, as well as Ennio Girolami, reprising his role as Joe the crocodile hunter.

Gather your friends and prepare the intoxicants! This is one for the ages!...