Movie Review: Rogue (2008)

Synopsis:

A handful of tourists looking for adventure get more than they bargained for when they cross paths with a massive man-eating beast in this thriller. Pete McKell (Michael Vartan) is a writer for an American travel magazine who has been assigned to write a story about vacationing in rugged Northern Australia. Pete signs up for a cruise along a river that's home to a large crocodile population, with tough but pretty Kate Ryan (Radha Mitchell) serving as guide. Pete soon finds he's roughing it in the Aussie wilds with an eclectic variety of travelers, including Russell (John Jarratt), who is dealing with the death of his wife; Simon (Stephen Curry), a tactless amateur photographer; and Allen (Geoff Morrell), a member of the British upper crust making the trip with his ailing spouse (Heather Mitchell) and their rambunctious daughter (Mia Wasikowska). While Kate's former husband, who also works on the river, makes a pest of himself in the early stages of the voyage, the travelers soon find they have more to worry about when their craft is attacked by a massive 25-foot crocodile, who is just clever enough to know how to trap its prey before enjoying them for dinner. Rogue was written and directed by Greg McLean, who made a splash among horror fans in 2005 with his debut film, Wolf Creek. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi


Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Horror
Directed By: Greg McLean
Written By: Greg McLean

Casts:

Radha Mitchell as Kate Ryan
John Jarratt as Russell
Sam Worthington as Neil
Geoff Morrell as Allen
Heather Mitchell as Elizabeth
Stephen Curry as Simon
Mia Wasikowska as Sherry

REVIEW:

Rogue is a the greatest and most silent Creature-Croc Movie to date!

Thanks to this film for saving a handful of disappointing Creature and crocodile-inspired films. Actually, ROGUE is way better PRIMEVAL and LAKE PLACID.

What this movie possesses is a stylish direction and a plot that may look like cliche but its well-written and implemented. The movie ROGUE is about a handful of tourists having a boat tour in the Australian Outback. As they were about to go home, their attention was caught with a signal flare from a distance. The tour guide ( Kate played by Radha Mitchell) decided to look after a supposed to be distress signal. When they arrived at the what-they-call a Sacred Place. Suddenly, a 25-foot crocodile bumped on their boat. Luckily, they were able to go on a small island found within the lake before the water gets into the boat. The dilemma is now on how to escape the fierce of the huge crocodile who is just waiting and lurking around the lake...waiting for its human flesh meal.

ROGUE is a satisfying thriller and suspense without much gore and violence. The horror and the tension in the whole film is very dominated by a stylish plot that gave emphasis on the struggle and the emotions of every characters who wanted to live and survive. This is a film geared in the idea of suspense and selective thrills without showing much of the EATING SCENES. I just love how the Director combined the elements of surprise, horror, hope, disappointments, mild gore and suspense all in one PACKAGE.

The film is a slick flick of survival that effectively delivered much of its emotional aspects to the viewers. The pacing of the story was progressive and not boring.

I also love the Australian Outback Setting of the place. The film showcased the luscious Aussie forests down to the creepy rivers and lakes. Which is by far, one of the best setting of any crocodile film.

The characters were also great. Even though majority of the castings weren't A-LIST Hollywood Celebrities at all, but they delivered well in this film.

The film's editing is also commendable. Its sharp and realistic. Its inventive and visually-appealing. I love the night scenes of the film. Rogue is a perfect ride of enough scare, thrill, chill, suspense and a mixture of whole some gore minus overrated violence and idiocy.

So far, this is the BEST CROC-INSPIRED Film to date!

RATINGS: 5 STARS