The Hatching

Returning back to his hometown, a young man who accidentally unleashed a vicious man-eating crocodile with his friends when he was a kid has started attacking and eating the villagers yet once they realize the crocodile isn't the only threat they head out to stop it.

When this one works, it's due mainly to the fact that there's quite a lot to like here with the creature on the loose and stalking people. The opening sequence in the croc farm where it accidentally gets loose and turns on the kids in graphic fashion starts this off on a fine note, the creatures' rampage on the friends in the swamplands around town makes for a stellar series of chilling stalking scenes that delivers solidly and the group going out to first tackle the creature in the river gives this a solid outing that includes some fine action moments of them trying to use their plan to attack the creature which makes this one quite an enjoyable time. It also managed to have a great bit of fun afterward with the celebration at the town hall which keeps this one in a rather light and jovial setting, and once there keep on rolling through the second half where it gets the plot switchover into the cannibal slasher. This here picks up nicely in the final half due to the fine confrontations with the psychopathic duo in the swamplands where they all must break free to battle the new threat brought out at that time. Beyond the gore for the few kills, though, these here are all that work for this one since it does have some big problems. One of the main issues is the fact that there's just so little croc action throughout here that it really feels like a backseat character in its own film with the ease with which it's captured and then summarily dismissed for the cannibal duo. That storyline takes over the final half hour of the film without having the croc at all involved which does affect this one enough that it really lowers the film by really downplaying the central aspect it had spent so long establishing and throwing this side-plot that only had a few minor mentions beforehand into the main closing section of the film in its place. That limits the croc to even less screen time in an already cramped section here as this one hardly ever features the creature when it's the main point anyway as the slack pacing keeps it off- screen for long sections of time with only those few brief lively attacks to punctuate the time until that switchover which drops off even more, especially with the laughable duo brought to bear here which lowers that story even more. Lastly, the film's other problem is the special effects for the croc, which is so rubbery and lifeless that it really takes a lot of fear out of the creature with its fake creation quite prominent throughout here. These really hold this one back overall.

Rated R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, Brief Nudity, violence against animals and graphic scenes of violence against children.

As a lover of B-Movie Monster Movies, I really was looking forward to this one as it's set in England in Somerset and stars Andrew Lee Potts, Thomas Turgoose, and Justin Lee Collins.

On paper, this sounds like it would have been brilliant, however, what we get are an unfunny comedy and a rubber crocodile monster movie. In this day and age, we should be able to do better with the special effects. Even if you have to resort to creating an artificial creature, that is pivotal to the plot, at least do it right. The croc looks like it was built out of leftover Wellingtons and if it took a bite out of you all you would do was laugh, as there's no skull and no jawbones... it's all loose and floppy.

There are also some dismembered body parts that also suffer from the no bone syndrome, I've never seen a floppier leg. These atrocious effects are the only thing that's funny in this movie as writers, Michael Anderson and Nick Squire, aren't the best at writing comedy and it really shows in this movie. Apart from the laughable effects, the comedy falls flat on its face - and not in a good way like slapstick.

Michael Anderson who also directed this picture doesn't seem to be able to get the best out of his cast. Potts and Turgoose are very good actors and I would watch anything they are in but this proves that under poor direction even good actors can come off weak and insincere.

If you like comedic monster movies then stay away from this film.

I watch a lot of movies, some bad and some good, however, this one falls into the category of sitting on the fence. I didn't know what to expect and was delightfully surprised and watched it through to the end. The scenery and environment scene were typically filmed in the English countryside and everything seem to fit into a mad little community. Although an obvious low budget film it was very entertaining and the acting was good enough to keep my interest, it's tongue and cheek and meant to be so. So don't be expecting a high budget thriller, it's witty in places and the crocodile is hilarious, reminded me of 1970's dinosaur movies. So would I recommend it? As long as you are in the mood for dry wit and forget the effects of most blockbusters then yes.

This is a really good, funny film, where absolutely nothing is to be taken seriously.

The effects are perfect for the mindset behind the movie. The rubber crock is perfect, when you compare it with the angry pack of dogs 🤣.

Everything just fits, but I think that the comedy aspect could have been raised a little, and it could have been just pushed a little further, but this is a film to be enjoyed in a group, probably with some decent under the counter cider, just to enhance the experience. Well worth looking at.

One question I do have is who sang the country style song? I have tried a Google search, and tried googling the question but no results. If anyone knows, please post a reply....

But well worth the time, and look for all the inconsistencies... they are really funny. And even the Frankenstein mob scenes are so in keeping with this.

I've read some ridiculous critic reviews comparing this movie unfavourably with Shaun of the Dead, which cost at least five times as much to make and didn't include the added distraction of kids and animals in the cast, for that alone the director should be commended!

This movie isn't intended as serious horror but as a Brit-style humour-fest of ridiculous characters in ridiculous circumstances, plus animals, animatronics and kids. Many seasoned directors wouldn't take on that task with a $1M budget let alone a director in his first feature. The humour will either work for you or not and the acting is certainly better than the first two Harry Potter movies!

The cinematography by Gerry Vasbenter is sumptuous for a low budget movie, with moody shots of the Somerset Levels and some great river scenes. Sound is excellent and Jon Cameron's bouncy score sets expectations early on. Alistair Crocker's sound mix is remarkably good for a movie at this budget level. Michael Anderson's ambition is commendable but the cast is always going to be a compromise at this level.

Highlight of the cast is the lovable Georgia Henshaw who moved effortlessly between fun party girl and truly horrified almost-victim and extremely good value for whatever they paid her for the part. The interplay between Jack McMullen as Russell and Danny Kirrane as Lardy was measured and well delivered by both. I hope we see more of them. Justin Lee Collins was essentially himself but didn't detract too much.

All in all I enjoyed it for what it is - a simple piece of entertainment, not without flaws but remarkable technicals at this budget level.