The Limited Edition Film Reviews - Rogue (2007)

(Edited, revised and reposted from August 9th, 2008)

Available on DVD here in the U.S. - available on Blu Ray as an import from Amazon.com

"Rogue"- (2007) - A dwindling group of unlucky tourists find themselves stranded on a very small island in the center of a tidal river, while somewhere, lurking beneath the surface of the waters that surround them, is an enormous, man-eating crocodile. This "Ozploitation" (Australian exploitation) Horror/Thriller film from Director Greg McLean (Wolf Creek) is very loosely based on the actual events surrounding the ornery, and very real, 16 foot specimen (named "Sweetheart") that terrorized fishermen, boaters and tourists for a five-year span in 1970's Australia.

This film was scheduled to be released in U.S. theaters sometime in early 2007, but the similarly themed Primeval, one of 2007's absolute worst films, beat it to the silver screen and deservedly bombed.  I'm guessing that the producers of Rogue figured that releasing another killer croc movie in the same year was a bit too risky for the waters. I wish they would have had more faith in their product, for it's far superior to Primeval in every regard.

Rogue's direction is rock-solid, the cinematography is amazing and the blend of creature props, animatronics and CGI used to breathe life into it's voracious title character is to be applauded. For the most part, the script is pretty tight- although there are a few tiny lapses in logic, they are never really important enough to sink the narrative. The acting's pretty sharp, though there's not much time for character development given the film's brisk pace and run time.

Michael Vartan (Television's Alias) is the cynical American travel journalist who reluctantly joins Aussie Radha Mitchell's (Man On Fire) tour guide as she pilots a group of sightseers on a cruise down a scenic National Park river.  The pleasant and informative trip soon turns deadly as the boat is attacked and subsequently destroyed by a massive, territorial crocodile- those surviving the initial attack are left fending off the giant beast, and time itself, as the small island they've sought shelter on begins to shrink with the night tide.

Vartan is a little short on charisma, though Mitchell's toughness more than makes up for that.  Veteran Australian film star John Jarratt (Wolf Creek) is nearly unrecognizable as a portly, moustachioed tourist, though I'm pretty sure most will immediately identify Sam Worthington (Avatar) in his last pre-stardom role as an edgy troublemaker who assists our diminishing group.  Keep a sharp eye out for Barry Otto (Miranda Otto's father), while fans of A&E's Longmire should recognize the show's star, Robert Taylor, amongst the besieged.  A (then) 16-year-old, dark-haired Mia Wasikowska (Stoker) rounds out the notable cast- it's one of those situations where you revisit a film you haven't seen in several years and catch yourself saying aloud, "I'll be damned... look who that is!"

Anyone expecting the type of brain-dead, bargain basement, CG-riddled gore-fests that have overtaken the Saturday Nights on the SyFy channel need not apply- this is a slow-burn, intelligent affair, relying on pacing and atmosphere and anchored by the remarkable restraint of a promising filmmaker.  Greg Mclean is sure to go on to do even "bigger" things.

Filmed at various locations throughout Australia, though the pristine footage of Kakadu and Nitmiluk  National Parks, Northern Territory, Australia is a true highlight.  The highly effective, ominous musical score is memorable, while I loved the song selection that plays a few minutes into the post-film credits.

My only substantial complaint against Rogue is that the narrative is one "dynamic kill" shy of propelling the film into all-time, creature feature greatness- most will be upset with the fate of a certain helpful canine...

The expertly staged, climactic confrontation between Man and Croc is genuinely thrilling- a highly rewarding sequence that found me wringing my hands while wishing I could have had the opportunity to have seen the film in theaters. Watch it on a substantial setup with the sound cranked for maximum enjoyment.

No, it's not on the same level as JAWS but if you have an appetite for creature-feature films like The Edge, Tremors, THEM!, The Descent or Alligator, then Rogue should prove to be a treat.  Be forewarned: Never Smile at a Crocodile...

Highly Recommended- seek it out.

8.0 outta 10

Director: Greg Mclean
Cast: Michael Vartan, Radha Mitchell, John Jarratt, Sam Worthington, Stephen Curry, Robert Taylor, Barry Otto, Geoff Morrell, Caroline Brazier, Celia Ireland, Heather Mitchell, Damien Richardson and Mia Wasikowska
Run-Time: 99 minutes
MPAA: Rated R for language and some creature violence