I awarded the first "Killer Crocodile" with a rating 5 out of 10. Probably that was way too generous of me, but hey, the film was extremely funny (talking terms of pure cheesiness) and it was damn entertaining! This rapidly put together sequel is oddly amusing as well, even though it features the exact same storyline and re-uses a whole lot of footage of the original. I don't know why, but I just can't hate it! Or perhaps I do
Still early in the film, there came a sequence that instantly made me appreciate this poverty row B-production a bit more! The big titular croc patiently sneaks up on two boats carrying singing school boys and a couple of nuns. All this time you're thinking something or someone will appear and save them, but HELL NO! The ugly over-sized reptile brutally attacks them and extendedly feasts on these poor and unlikely victims! Now, personally, I have a strong admiration for horror movies that dare to kill children on screen and so even though far from being a good film I still appreciate "Killer Crocodile" for its courage. Naturally, the rest of the film is laughably inept, with an absolute lack of tension, abysmal dubbing and some of the most horrid dialogs you'll ever hear (for example: "Without my bathing suit, I feel naked
"). The story takes place in the same Caribbean area of the first film, where the rich and corrupt locals still dump radioactive waste in the swamps, and now they're even planning to build a holiday resort there as well. Is the continuous pollution responsible for the new crocodile's gigantic proportions and insatiable hunger for human flesh? The script never really hints at it, but probably. One thing's for sure though: he's one massive fella with enough strength to pull entire sheds into the water. Debra Karr (who really isn't too hard on the eyes) stars as a New York reporter; sent to the area to investigate the questionable politics and to check if the swamps are clean. She's a tough chick, who single-handedly takes on car thieves and toys around with wannabe rapists, but a giant killer croc is too much even for her and she'll need the help of the same Crocodile Dundees of the first film. Ennio Girlami's role is nothing more than an extended cameo, but Richard Crenna Jr. is offered once again the chance to play a heroic part. The script pretty much sucks (the main villain isn't even punished) and the pacing drags occasionally, but there's a lot of cheesy gore and cheap stunts to enjoy. Giannetto De Rossi's (basically a special effects guy) directing is far below average and Riz Ortolani's score is a little too obviously borrowed from John Williams' theme for "Jaws". In other words, this film is only recommended to tolerant fans of typical Italian rip-offs.
NB: If anyone's interested, "Killer Crocodile II" does feature one of the most original pick-up lines I ever heard! After surviving a close encounter with the monster, Liza walks up to Kevin and says something like: "Don't you know that fear and near death situations stimulate and heighten man's reproductive organs?" There's a line I have to remember! His response is pretty good too, as he says: "Oh is that true? I guess my dad was right when he said that you learn something new every day!" Now that's what I call arousing pillow talk!
NB: If anyone's interested, "Killer Crocodile II" does feature one of the most original pick-up lines I ever heard! After surviving a close encounter with the monster, Liza walks up to Kevin and says something like: "Don't you know that fear and near death situations stimulate and heighten man's reproductive organs?" There's a line I have to remember! His response is pretty good too, as he says: "Oh is that true? I guess my dad was right when he said that you learn something new every day!" Now that's what I call arousing pillow talk!