Contents
Reviews
How
Discs Are Rated
#
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
News
Archives
DVD
Guide
Contest
Video
Game Reviews
About
DVDlaunch
Meet
The Staff
Contact
|
Click above to purchase "Crocodile Dundee II" at amazon.com
"Crocodile" Dundee II
review by Zach B.
Rated PG
Studio: Paramount
Running Time: 97 minutes
Starring Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, John Meillon
Written by Paul Hogan and Brett Hogan
Directed by John Cornell
Retail Price: $24.99
Features: Behind-The-Scenes Featurette, Theatrical
Trailer
Specs: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English Dolby
Digital 5.1, English Dolby Surround, French Stereo, English
Closed Captions, English Subtitles, Scene Selection
Released: September 18th, 2001
After the original "Crocodile Dundee" was a tremendous
success with audiences and critics, you had to know a sequel
was coming. And, two years later after the original, that
being 1988, a sequel bursted out. It wasn't a giant hit like
the original, but it did pretty well for itself. However,
many agree it's quite inferior to the original surprise hit.
This time around, the film reverses the original plot
sorta. Mick "Crocodile Dundee" (Paul Hogan) and his love,
Sue (Linda Kozlowski) are settled in New York City. Mick
decides to get a job, but it all kicks off when Sue's ex Bob
sends her photos of a drug lord killing someone. Bob is
killed, Sue is kidnapped and it's up to Mick to save the
day. But it's not that easy. Rico, the drug lord, also wants
the pictures, which are no longer in their possession.
Knowing they're not safe, Sue and Mick head back to
Australlia, where they must fight Rico and dangers there.
This sequel is pretty formulatic, and can be a little bit
over the top at times (not to mention it drags on at moments
and is fifteen minutes longer than the original). It's less
charming and feels pure Hollywood, and not the small but
clever feel of the original. While it does expand on the
characters, even the smaller ones from Mick's hometown, it's
a lot more action based than comedy based. Not to say that
there are no funny moments, because there are. The writing
and dialogue can be sharp, but it's not the same as the
original. It's just a totally different feel. The characters
backgrounds are a bit more fleshed out, which I did like.
But while this sequel isn't the same as context when
compared to the first, it's still a rather entertaining
ride, despite the unoriginality of sorts to it. There are
some cheesy moments I'd say, and the direction from John
Cornell, who co-wrote the original, is a bit more gritty.
The acting is suitable, and still establishes Mick as a fun,
likeable guy everyone loves (gotta love the opening
sequence). But if you liked the original, this is worth
checking out to get more of a feel for some of the
characters.
The transfer here is much better than the one for the
original movie. Also in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen,
Paramount has done a superb job with this transfer. Now and
then there's a blemish, but it's nothing major, ESPECIALLY
when compared to the transfer of the original "Crocodile
Dundee." Colors and fleshtones are also well saturated, and
detail is very good. Black levels look particuarly good too.
There's some shimmering here and there, but it all looks
quite good. Exterior shots look very nice. No complaints
here.
A English Dolby Digital 5.1 remix is included, and it's
pretty decent. I wouldn't call it earth shattering, and it
can be disappointing, but seeing how this is a remix, it's
understandable. Dialogue is easy to hear, and the music
sounds pretty good. Cars roaring off and the action-oriented
scenes bring some good use of the channels, even if surround
use wasn't exactly what I imagined. The subwoofer does a
good but in contrast small job. It's a little shallow, but
understandable in all. An English Dolby Surround track,
French stereo track and English closed captions and
subtitles are included.
We have the Theatrical Trailer in 1.85:1
anamorphic widescreen, plus a spiffy promotional
Featurette. The featurette, in full frame, has behind
the scenes footage. Hogan claims a sequel has to be "one and
a half times" better than the original, but he thinks the
sequel is "twice" as good (I disagree). There are clips from
the film and a interview with Linda Kozlowski. It's about
five and a half minutes. Painless fluff.
"Crocodile Dundee II" is a fun movie, but not as good as
the original. However, if you're a fan of the series, it's
worth it for your collection. Casual fans who want to be
refreshed of it all, a rent will due.
 (3.5/5 - NOT included in
final score)
 (4/5)
 (3/5)
 (1/5)
(3/5,
NOT an average)
|
