Rogue Movie
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Welcome to the Terrortory
An idyllic wildlife cruise disintegrates into terror when a party of tourists are stalked by a massive man-eating crocodile. Pete McKell, a cynical American travel writer, joins a disparate group of holiday-makers on a river cruise through the waters of Kakadu National Park. Initially Pete clashes with their tour captain, Kate, a feisty young woman who assumes he is just another 'city-slicker' in search of a quick thrill. After an uneventful day cruising the river, Kate is reluctantly persuaded to steer their boat into unexplored territory. They discover a secluded lake but terror strikes when their craft receives a powerful blow from beneath the murky depths and begins to sink. With little choice, she beaches the vessel on the closest dry land -a tiny mud island. With a rising tide and only half an hour of daylight left, fear grips the group as they realize they are trapped in the lair of a 'rogue' crocodile, governed only by its need to hunt and kill. Begrudgingly, Pete and Kate join forces to keep hysteria at bay and in the process start to see beyond their initial impressions. Their first attempt to escape fails, but then Pete has an idea - they must trap the crocodile to enable the group to flee to the other side of the island whilst Kate swims for help. Pete volunteers to stand guard, but without warning, the beast breaks free and targets Kate who fails to resurface. As darkness descends and the muddy waters rise, a terrifying struggle ensues with only one probable outcome death.
| Michael Vartan | Pete McKell |
| Sam Worthington | Neil |
| Stephen Curry | Simon |
| John Jarratt | Russell |
| Geoff Morrell | Allen |
| Damien Richardson | Collin |
| Robert Taylor | Everett Kennedy |
| Barry Otto | Merv |
7.00 out of 10 (609 votes)
Visitor Reviews
another great movie from Mclean
posted on 31 Jul 2009remembering i enjoyed Wolf Creek and to hear that Greg Mclean was directing another movie i was much looking forward to it.when i eventually was able to purchase the movie i was not disappointed. the acting was very good, especially by John Jarratt and Michael Vartan.the big croc was reasonably convincing and though the movie is not really a scary one, i sure as hell would not wanna find myself near one of those things at all.yeah this movie is less a scary movie but definitely one for entertainment and a good Aussie movie.
Awful. Just awful. Don't waste your money and time on this.
posted on 03 Jul 2009Awful. Probably the worst movie I've ever seen in a cinema.Completely clichéd, stupid, irritating, boring and unrealistic.I want my money back.People who should have been dead live.The tide stays the same for 1h, then suddenly raises 1m in 20s.A crocodile measuring 7m who not only eats humans one after the other, but even attacks boats. Totally unrealistic.The main characters are uninteresting in character and looks.Truly an awful movie. Stay away.The theater was only 5% full. This fact truly speaks for itself.
I'd wait for cable
posted on 01 Jul 2009Boat load of people end up stranded on a tidal island in a river when a giant crocodile wrecks their boat and plans to make a meal of them. Beautifully filmed in Australia this would be a perfect film to lure tourists to go see the countries scenic beauty-except that the plot involves a hungry reptile. Actually the problem with the film is that it takes forever to get going with a good 45 minutes passing before the crocodile strands the boat. Up to that point its the typical cruise through the river canyons and getting to know the people. Its a nice idea if it hadn't been done to death. Points to the plot which doesn't take the typical path to the end with everyone being eaten in turn, there are more survivors then you might think, but at the same time, say it with me, we've seen some of it before. Worth a shot in on an undemanding night, but not something that needs to be actively sought out
Utter Rubbish!
posted on 27 Jun 2009Well that's two strikes for this writer/director. Wolf's Creek was over-hyped and proved to be dull and uninspired. Now this lame killer crocodile movie. Bad casting, bad characters, bad acting from the Americans at least, terrible writing which has characters make wrong choices that leave you scratching your head or smashing it in frustration against your palm. The special effects and camera direction are adequate if nothing special. After Wolf Creek, Rogue, Black Sheep, and Undead it is becoming painfully clear that Australians do not know how to do horror.And it is also becoming quite clear that at least 80%, if not more, of the Dimension Extreme titles are also nothing but foreign garbage low budget films. All I've seen have been mediocre to real time-wasters. Anyway, I give up on this filmmaker. I've hated both his films, and if you also didn't like Wolf Creek I guarantee you will detest this movie. It's the "Anaconda 2" of killer croc movies.
CRIKEY!!! -- This Croc has bite!
posted on 25 Jun 2009Granted, it's not perfect, and the idea is not 100% original (from a cinematic point of view) but one thing I love about Greg McLean's films is that he takes what are essentially Australian icons and flips them totally askew. For instance in Wolf Creek the films brutal killer - Mick Taylor is basically Mick Dundee turned psycho. And in Rogue, he yet again takes a well known Australian reptile and sets it loose on some unsuspecting tourists.There's no denying McLean can shoot a beautiful movie, and some of the wonderful scenes of the Australian top-end are simply stunning. The characters all portray strong performances, especially when the pressure sets in and they begin to crack. McLean also does a good job at drip feeding the dread and teasing the audience with nothing but growls, grunts and slippery tails. It's an age old formula where directors don't show the full extent of the threat till the end - well, thankfully we don't have to wait that long, as when the croc does reveal itself - we see that it is frickin'MASSIVE! And what's even more scary is that these thing's actually exist up there.The croc itself is naturally CGI with some animatronics, and it's a relief to see that it looks "real". The movement and animation is authentic and the sound design is also effective in giving the audience that jolted feeling a 3 tonne croc would give.It's a tense, taught and well directed film, and the only gripe I have about it is that it seems a little short - maybe that was put down the fact that I was so immersed into the film? But it did feel a little short. It also lacked the brutal punch Wolf Creek gave us back in 2005, but never the less, it's a cute little Aussie horror thriller where McLean pays sound homage to classics like Jaws and Aliens. And it's also good to see more "genre" films like this coming out of Australia, and it's also good to know people like the Weinsteins and Warner Brothers are backing horror films from Australia for international releases and distribution.For anyone into their Reptillian chills and thrills - I highly recommend ROGUE.
One killer Croc flick that's worth sinking your teeth into!
posted on 11 Jun 2009A group of tourists in the Australian waters, takes a detour when they spot what they assume to be a signal for help, when they arrive, they discover a badly destroyed boat & soon their boat is attacked by a very mean, very big, killer crocodile!, escaping to safety, the group must find a way out of their terrifying predicament, especially when the tide rolls in & the spot their on is going under water fast. Soon the crocodile starts treating the tourists as lunch meat. With ROGUE I wasn't really expecting to much out of this killer crocodile flick, I figured at most I'd get to see a good, though not great crocodile flick, since many current films dealing on this subject have been pretty bland, however ROGUE really blew me away at how much, fun & suspenseful it actually was! The actors were great & very believable, while Director GREG McLEAN manages to bounce back & create a truly terrifying & very interesting horror outing which is more than I can say for his previous film, the down right awful & boring WOLF CREEK, which is on my worst films ever made list. With ROGUE, Mclean manages to create much interest in his story & situations, even in scenes where there is nothing going on, your interest is still being held with these characters & situations. Great scenery is also another of the films pluses, if only it didn't have so many survivors at the end. Other than that nicely done!***1/2 stars
Misunderstanding
posted on 28 May 2009High rating on this web page encourages to watch this movie. But to do this you have to overcome your sleepiness during first 30 minutes. Animation of crocodile is superb, I give'em that, better even than in Lake Placid 1. Scenery is breathtaking and this is the second and last thing that made me watch till the end. But...it is so damn boring. Honestly there were some movies that typical receiver found in a different way that I, but I don't understand the hype on this production. And(spoiler!)I can't forgive them killing the smartest character which was poor Kevin. BTW this movie has 100% fresh rating on rotten tomatoes. I laughed.
Captures real tension and plays on thematic fears: being hunted, drowning and isolation!
posted on 18 May 2009Not since Jaws have a creature feature been of such high standards. It surpasses the recent 'based on true stories' killer Croc movies such Primeval and Black water.Directed by Greg Mclean who made the low budget Wolf Creek, this film captures real tension and plays on thematic fears: being hunted, drowning and isolation. The actors especially Radha Mitchell, are true to life (even annoying at times) and the Australian on location gritty feel add to Greg Mcleans modest script.There's nothing glossy about this move even though the ending is a little predictable. This film seem to have been unjustly overlooked at cinemas and deserves a second life on DVD & BluRay.This is far from a badly executed B movie, so see how fast you can swim and watch it - even killer crocs don't appeal to you, view it just to see the Australian outback.
Rogue of a croc
posted on 16 May 2009Seen at Sitges Film Festival. Before entering the theatre I thought this was going to be an obviously self-conscious splatter b-movie, as we see so many these days. The mother lode was started by "Scream" and has not stopped since then. All in all, however, Rogue comes out as a honestly, straightforwardly enjoyable pop-corn movie with some good moment to remember.The film superstar is -not surprisingly- the crocodile. The croc is realistic, fun and quite scary. Thumbs up for the special FX guys who did a really good job (otherwise I suspect the movie would be unwatchable). The best scene with the croc is when, after showing itself in full glory, the beast goes under water in the little pool in the cave, and you know it is going to come out in 1 sec or so and you scream for the good guy to do something (which he eventually does). These scenes are a major innovation of the classic "Jaws" stuff we see during the rest of the movie. The most typical "Jaws" shot (swimmer seen from below, hypothetical beast's POV) is repeated several times. Once we even see the back scales of the croc looming over the water like a shark's fin. More Spielbergean inspiration from "Jurassic Park": crocs are explicitly referred to as modern dinosaurs; like JP this is a tale of tourists chased by a reptile during an excursion; croc thuds boat like T-Rex thuds jeep, etc.Other influences I smelled: "Deliverance" (men in boat cross the wild and get their holiday messed up), Terrence Malick (the cricket close-up), "Alien" (croc's den) and John Carpenter (people on small island besieged by invisible forces).Acting is surprisingly solid, above all from the supporting characters. Overall, telling who dies next is not 100% predictable, which I consider good value for a b-movie like this; for example, the bad guy turns out to be a hero but gets butchered anyway and the nice doggy dog is not luckier than that. Script is not so bold as to have hero and heroine slaughtered as well, although you may think they are doomed at one point. Score works well underlying scary moments and luxuriant landscapes.The only thing I am a little upset about is why the hell the guys do not turn off their torches when swimming across the swamp. I am not into crocodiles that much, but I am pretty sure they are not blind…
Possibly the best croc movie
posted on 26 Apr 2009This is the third croc movie I've seen, after the first Lake Placid (which was quite fun) and the Dominic Purcell starring Primeval, which I was pleasantly surprised with, and felt was actually a political film disguised as a croc film.2007 was a ripe year for croc films, with the aforementioned Primeval, Australian flick Black Water, and now another Australian flick, Rogue, writer/director Greg Mclean second feature effort after the well-received 2005 gorefest Wolf Creek.I got to see this film in the cinema, and let me tell you it was worth it. The film is simply beautiful to look at. Mclean and his unfortunately now dead cinematographer Will Gibson offer some amazing, breathtaking shots of Australia's Northern Territory (where the story is set). Seriously, I cannot stress how beautiful this movie's setting is, you have to see it to believe it.However stunning visuals do not a good movie make, and thankfully Greg Mclean and his team deliver the goods in the other departments as well. Have you ever been disappointed by that "keeping the monster hidden makes him more effective" rule of monster movies? Well Mclean actually pulls it off. You almost never see the croc during the first part of the movie, yet his presence is felt at every turn. The pacing is just right, the atmosphere is appropriately tense and the characters are pretty believable. Unfortunately, the film becomes slightly less interesting during its second part, where Rogue takes a more conventional turn.Nevertheless, I'd recommend watching Rogue, even if you're not that into horror films, as Mclean's mastery, originality and inventiveness is felt throughout, from the superb opening to the awesome rendition of the Disney song "Never Smile At A Crocodile" which accompanies the end credits.On a side note, I'm not sure how happy Australia's tourism board are with director Greg Mclean. On the one hand, he captures the beauty of the setting in a way not often seen, but on the other, you won't want to go anywhere near that place after seeing Rogue. Especially considering the size of our killer croc is apparently entirely plausible. Scary stuff.
Rogue
posted on 16 Apr 2009A boat captain, Kate(Radha Mitchell, perfectly cast)and the tourists riding in her tour-boat encounter a giant crocodile after invading his territory looking for the one responsible for shooting flares. Finding a boat sinking underwater(..obviously the boat carrying the one casting the distress signal), the tour-boat soon is blindsided by the monstrous croc, causing a gushing leak putting them on an isle with the tide slowly creeping in. Kate's company will not send a search party until the following morning as a rule. Kate finds a little help in an old flame, Neil(Sam Worthington)whose boat, carrying a pal soon to be lunch, is also capsized by the killer croc. With a crew of tourists slowly emotionally unraveling, Pete(Michael Vartan), a magazine traveling article writer, will attempt to capture the croc(..with two dead quarry killed by Neil and his bloke, and an anchor hook)after an idea regarding a tied rope from one tree on the island to the other on the mainland for each individual to escape above water fails. With the croc trapped, tugging on the anchor(..whose rope is tied to a giant rock)as Pete holds guard, the others will hopefully swim across to the mainland shore, but all of them might not make it in time.A more mainstream effort from "Wolf Creek" director Greg Mclean, pits various individuals from all parts of the world in a difficult spot with a huge menace in close proximity. In making a decision to find out if someone needed help, fate puts Kate in an awful predicament. The croc moves really fast, often snatching up humans before any of the others even realize they're gone. One main character is even caught in the "death roll"(..this person's fate is a bit of a stretch in credibility, I must admit)while trying to swim to the mainland. Unfortunately, those seeking gory human murders will be sorely disappointed. One is lifted and thrown, then carried underwater, and we actually see the aftermath of what can happen when you are caught with the teeth of such a beast, but as far as seeing the croc munching on a human victim, this film opts to stay away from that. There is a particularly grisly fate for Kate's beloved dog Kevin, so maybe that will satisfy those gore-hounds seeking carnage of some kind. The film builds some incredible tense sequences such as the failed attempt to travel by rope from the isle to the mainland when the first who attempts to go across freezes in fear as another goes ballistic, adding too much weight when he insists on sending his child(..and himself)immediately. The intense climax inside the killer croc's lair with Pete fighting for survival, while also worrying about another whose fate lies in his hands is quite a doozy. Mclean decides to shift his film from unpleasant violence associated with "Wolf Creek", instead choosing to go the "suspence" route, having our innocents in constant fear of a very large creature who could pop up at any given moment. For creature feature fans, this is a must. It's quite a roller-coaster, but, honestly, for the most part, Mclean plays it safe this time, giving his characters much more room of escape than he did those poor young people in "Wolf Creek." I thought the f/x work for the croc was superb. It actually *does* look scary instead of corny and fake.
Getting up n' close with a crocodile.
posted on 16 Apr 2009American journalist/city boy Pete arrives in the Northern Territory, but soon as he gets there, his luggage is lost at the airport, poor mobile coverage and a stinking hot day wearing nothing but business clothing. He joins a boat tour group led by a gritty Australian gal Kate, and along for the ride are some local visitors and overseas' sight-seers. The day has come to an end, but a flare in the distance captures their attention. Being oblige to check it out, they come across a cap-sized boat. Then suddenly their boat is mysteriously rammed, and they crash into an island, which eventually in hours will be under water. But in the water, happens to be a crocodile that's stalking its prey.Tourism to Australia's outback won't be receiving any favours after Greg McLean's 2005 grim serial killer film "Wolf Creek" and now he chalks up a gripping monster sized croc feature "Rogue (2007)". If any of these films are anything to go by, I seriously lay in wait for next wondrous, realistic thrill ride. Actually I came out of the cinema, and I just didn't know what to think of "Rogue". It ain't spectacular and noway does it match the impact of his predecessor, but this one the make-up is different and for most part it does push all the right buttons and is impeccably crafted. Both movies basically share the same imprint of a forlorn location, and predatory instincts. Director/writer McLean's latest chapter more so plays on the escalating fear, and drumming up excitement and adrenaline in a fun manner compared with his debut feature that heavily relied on the nasty and unpleasant images, and the lingering dread that awaited the characters. Just like "Wolf Creek", the opening set-up of the characters in "Rogue" is casually paced, as we soak up the awe-inspiring backdrop caught beautifully by Will Gibson's well-etched scenic cinematography. The passengers on board are typical stereotypes, which are roughly drawn up despite spending plenty of time with them at the get-go.I was thinking since there was a lot of details brought up, but not entirely explored enough to flesh them out. There was going to be numerous body count to the fodder to rid us of that problem, as the cast would be picked off one by one in what would turn out to be a basic, but surely pulsating monster feature. But I was wrong on that aspect too! McLean could have let it go overboard and just give in to providing us a repetitive body count, but instead he steers clear away by drawing upon well-organised biting suspense, humidly remote locations and a spectacular looking CGI crossed animatronics crocodile. These days I find the majority of special effects to overkill on CGI, but the FX team here do an excellent job creating an authentic looking beast. McLean also likes to keep it mainly in the shadows, with only showing glimpses of it until the film's closing. Even the way it goes about things and takes out its victims, is true to its sources. Just look at the deadly tumble roll. Blood and carnage sees very little daylight, as the deaths (some off-screen but definitely felt) happen to be very sudden, lethal and over in a matter of seconds. You have no time to blink! This makes it more believable, and suit's the striking reality of these predators. However there is one circumstance that bugged me, and destroyed what lasting impression the film could've finished off with. For me to talk about it would be too much of a big spoiler, but I think you'll know when it happens.Characters are conventionally thin (though it seems like it was on purpose, as we're left to wonder), and the loose script is rather secondary lacking a polished touch and the finale lacks an almighty sting. You might have one of your eye-brows raised, but making up for its faults is McLean's economical direction, and the technical side of the production. McLean knows how to alienate you in the unsparing environment, and unbearable situation with his vivid directorial eye and always tightly composed touch. Visually there are some great brushes. He leisurely lets it tick along, but when it gets into it. The showcase begins, as the feverishly fast-paced suspense is emotionally jarring without using any sort of jump-scare tactics. The staging of the edge-of-seat climax is completely first-rate. Not only do the characters have the croc to worry about, but also they're ravaged by ecological barriers, their own fears and finally each others. The laid-back premise might be a cut-out, but he throws up one or two surprises and demonstrates a clever, thrifty outlook from a screenplay of genre clichés. The sprawling music score is well-rounded, and harrowing with scope. Even the sound FX emerges with great intensity, and a swiftly clean ambiance that only enhances the atmosphere. Editing is sharp, art direction is expertly handled and the kinetic camera shots during the action sequences never become too disorienting. Some inventive camera-work can be found too.Performances won't set the world alight, but they shape up even though there's very little to work with. Michael Vartan is agreeable in the rugged central role of Pete. Across from him is a down-to-earth, and superbly gusty turn by Radha Mitchell as tour guide Kate. Australian locals fill the support cast. A sullen looking John Jarrett is fine, Stephen Curry twitchy photographer slightly amuses and Sam Worthington's mildly intense, blunt character gains your interest to be only swept under the rug. The rest of the support are decent, but on an emotional level very little do you care about this lot.This tour is nothing out of the ordinary, but still manages to be an eventful and effectively bravura ride when let loose. There's a lot of promise here, and it would make great a double feature with another (but hard to find) killer crocodile film starring John Jarratt; "Dark Age (1987)".
Surprisingly Rewarding
posted on 04 Apr 2009Found the movie most pleasing without preconceived hints or expectations of it's outcome or storyline. I appreciate how the end of the movie linked to the beginning. Enough said on the storyline- The actors are very real in character. This film was very well written and with a believable storyline. Has a, "Ghost in the Darkness", truth to it. Very convincing special effects (some of which I could not differentiate from reality) and an extremely compelling ending. Stay for the ending. There are several moments when you think you have the ending figured out but it just doesn't pan out that way. This one is for the library.
Pretty good as killer croc / alligator movies go.
posted on 29 Mar 2009Travel writer Peter McKell (Michael Vartan) is one of several tourists partaking in a boat tour of the Australian wilderness. The always wonderful Radha Mitchell plays Kate Ryan, their knowledgeable guide. On their way back, they spot what they think is a flare fired in the distance. Kate says she's obliged to check it out, so they head in that direction. What happens is that they end up in the domain of a particularly stealthy, nasty, and large crocodile that strands them on an island that they will have to leave sooner or later before it gets submerged by the tide.Greg McLean here follows up his harrowing psycho-in-the-Outback tale "Wolf Creek" with this entertaining entry in the killer croc / alligator genre. It gets points from me for maintaining a certain amount of suspense and viewer involvement. It also plays out in an interesting way, not quite adhering to a typical "pick off the characters one at a time" formula. Granted, the characters often take turns grating on one's nerves, but neither are they too overbearing.McLean and company are wise to keep their ferocious beast off screen as much as possible, in the effective "Jaws" tradition. Even when it is on screen, it's kept in the dark (this movie makes great use of the dark) much of the time, making it genuinely scary.Primary assets also include a stirring music score and gorgeous scenery (naturally). It's also nice to see "Wolf Creek" villain John Jarratt in a small supporting role here.A better than average movie of its type, "Rogue" is decent horror that's definitely worth a look.8/10
One of the best since Lake Placid
posted on 23 Mar 2009I've been waiting and waiting for someone to release a new film, the villain being an animal. Rogue produces that and much more in a thrillride of film. This was the best crocodile film in cinematic history. Not only does it provide the audience with a never swimming again feeling but is one of the best Aussie films ever made, maybe even the best. Wolf creek was good but nothing of Rogue's standard. The end was fenominal and the start, just as good. Casting John Jaratt in the role of one of the main characters was good thinking. His acting skills were superb and I think it deserves a grammy. Or maybe not that big, but at least some kind of reward. I would love someone to bring out a sequel, but I don't think that's going to happen. I will finish this statement with saying this movie ROCKS!!
Awful,Dire a terrible movie
posted on 05 Mar 2009I watched this film largely because of reviews read on IMDb. To say I was disappointed does not do this movie justice. There are a group of tourists going deep into Australia, a few different characters with their own motives and flaws. Usually in films such as this they get picked off one by one in various gory ways. Not so in this film, hardly any of them die and when they do it is so quick you miss it! Then about 3/4 the way through the film they are all saved and even the irritating fat woman survives. I feel I have to spoil this movie so no-one else has to endure the sheer tedium of watching it. Whoever directed this film made it clear that Australia is a beautiful place but thats for tourism videos NOT horror movies. I would advise anyone to bang their head against a wall repeatedly rather than watch this film.
Taunt
posted on 05 Mar 2009To 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
Croc Flicks Major Ass
posted on 19 Feb 2009Rogue was a sweet creature movie, I know that that there's been plenty of crocodile movies, but this one takes the cake. The croc has huge and look real. Great job to actors Radha Mitchell(Silent Hill and Pitch Black) and Michael Vartan(Alias and Never Been Kissed) as a few of unlucky travelers who encounter this monstrous crocodile in this fats and fierce scare-fest. Radha Mitchell plays a tour guide and Michael Vartan plays a journalist, who take a group of tourists on a tour of the Australian outback and end up being stranded on a crocodile's territory. With dark coming and the tide rising, they must find a way to get off the island alive. This movie had some scary jump out of your seat moments and showed the fierce side to one of natures perfect killing machine. Check this out!!
The best of the crocodile movies
posted on 15 Feb 2009Greg McLean (Wolf Creek) is at it again with "Rogue", the Australian crocodile shocker that blows "Lake Placid", "Deep Blue Sea", the rather dismal "Primeval" and the seemingly endless spew of recent shock factor creature features right out of the water. In league with the other recent Australian "Black Water", although the two thrillers can't be compared based on quality, this is a white knuckle suspense ride that sinks its teeth in and doesn't let go.Michael Vartan (Monster in Law) is a journalist from Chicago who takes a crocodile boating tour through an enormous and beautiful gorge in Northern Territory, Australia. Rhada Mitchell (Pitch Black, Silent Hill) is the native tour leader, and all is well with the group until they spot a distress flare miles up the river in an area that is generally not traveled. After taking a detour in response to the flare, the group finds themselves isolated on a tiny island in the middle of a swamp when a very territorial crocodile attacks the boat.For one, the tension is nearly unbearable from this point on. Much in the vein of "The Descent", once the action sets in it's nonstop, but fortunately the movie doesn't resort to a run of the mill by the numbers formula, rather, it is unpredictable and realistic as the group ponders how they can get across the rising tidal river in time before they are completely submerged. Once the fact that the crocodile has "tagged" them is established, which is explained as them being his targeted food supply, the group becomes panicked and all hell breaks loose.The crocodile is simply incredible. I'm pretty sure it is mostly CG but don't let that fool you, it looks and acts very natural, which adds to the realism and terror of the movie. The pacing is quick but our characters are fleshed out well enough that we genuinely care about them, and it's all the more horrifying during the croc attacks, which are for the most part unpredictable, save for the rather anti climactic but still satisfying finish. The movie doesn't transcend the genre but it's the best offering in the crocodile sub genre, and it definitely outranks "Wolf Creek" by a long shot. The cinematography is simply stunning and the atmosphere is quite eerie. I definitely recommend "Rogue" and I'll have to keep an eye out for McLean's next work.
Finally A Top Notch Crocodile Film
posted on 28 Aug 2009I 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.