Review of Rogue (2007) by Blake P — 30 Jun 2013

Don't go into "Rogue" thinking it will be "Jaws" but with a crocodile, because if you do, you'll be disappointed. This however, should not suggest that this isn't a good film. "Rogue" is a marvelous little gem full of indie charm, light on budget but high on thrills and very good special effects. It would also be a sin not to mention it's wonderful ensemble, which features earthy beauty Radha Mitchell ("Silent Hill", "Finding Neverland"), the always likable Michael Vartan (TV's "Alias") and an early performance from the now huge Mia Wasikowska ("Alice in Wonderland", "Stoker"). "Rogue" may have not gotten as wide of a release as it should have, but it's a killer croc movie that's loads of fun.

It doesn't have the "Jaws" premise of people go swimming, get eaten, etc. It instead revolves around a boat tour of an Australian river, lead by the bold Kate Ryan (Mitchell), with the promise that the paying tourists will be getting the opportunity of seeing crocodiles in their native habitat. As the tour goes along, the tension mounts-- after all, this is a monster movie, and the more something doesn't happen, the more freaked out we get.

Things take an interesting turn when, at the end of the tour, a (annoying) married couple points that they can see a flare being shot. Kate, not realizing this is a thriller, goes upstream to check out the situation, only to find that the boat that needed help has sunk. Just as she and her tour uncover this, something huge (you can guess what) hits their boat, knocking a hole into it and sinking part of it. Even worse, the island they arrive on completely covers once the tide comes in.

Don't worry-- the crocodile comes-- and he's massive. About 25-feet long. That's why this poor group of people must find a way to avoid being eaten, as well as escape the island they're trapped on before it's too late.

"Rogue" never once falls short of its intriguing premise. Greg McLean, known for his grisly horror debut, "Wolf Creek," takes a classier route here, paying homage to Spielberg's suspenseful touches all the while making them his own. The dialogue, always interesting, bites, and the characters range from annoying to heroic. But it shouldn't be a character study after all. This is a crocodile movie. And it's a great one.

For a movie with such a tiny budget (it was filmed on location in Australia, with McLean adding lovely snippets of the atmosphere surrounding the cast), the croc himself looks amazingly real and the deaths, not nearly as graphic as you would think, remain complex without to much stylistic flair. Even though you can see who might be the next victim from a mile away, never once is it not shocking.

"Rogue" is a amazingly fun, splendid trip down independent film lane. It isn't a blockbuster, yet I experienced the same thrills, maybe even more here, as any shoot-'em-up or superhero movie. This is a hidden gem most definitely worth watching.