Crocodile Island

If a child is not scared by a monster crocodile and giant spiders, they may find this a fun watch. The version I watched was the dubbed American version. I have seen a number of Chinese films before, usually with very good CGI, decently filmed, decent dubbing, and often one person who turns out to be almost superhuman in abilities. This is not that type of film. The dubbing was terrible, with a long conversation in Chinese given a couple words subtitle, and some sporadic English. The CGI was not terrible, but flawed. We first see the croc tail in the water, and it seems like that of a normal croc. Then, it comes onto the beach, again not that large. Then it is on the beach, and is it huge. Interesting use of gunpowder to treat a wound. They set up warning pots around their campfire, so they would know if an intruder approaches. But it would take less then a second for the croc to pass the warning pots and eat them all. The storyline states Lu Wenbing shows the honorable aptitudes of family, etc., which may or may not have gotten across. The movie does answer two common questions, however. If getting away from a monster, can any of them not trip, get snagged, not stand dumbfounded, or otherwise fall? And how many bullets does a gun hold? For the first, not really. And the second, more than you could ever believe. And now it is perfectly clear that Chinese film makers have the ability to provide a real stinker just like some American film distributors.

After a plane crash, a group of survivors finding themselves stranded on a deserted island tries to regroup and find a way to get off the alive, but when they discover the place is located to a massive crocodile and a race of gigantic spiders they must band together to put their differences aside and escape the creatures.

Overall, the film serves well enough as a generally inoffensive cheesy creature feature. One of the film's bright spots is the fact that it manages to play such a ludicrous and inherently silly story into being as straightforward and serious as it is. The scenario about the plane landing in the area as a result of the magnetic forces at play in the location and being stranded has some merit to it with the background on the area being responsible for the multitude of ship and airplane disasters over the years. It also serves well to explain the presence of the giant creatures as the crocodiles and spiders are shown to have survived unscathed on the island due to their existence. This allows for some fine subplots as well once they get stranded on the island as the chance for the father to reconnect with his daughter while they're trying to find a way off the island with their build-up as the realization to let her grow up and be more independent is an expected but still enjoyable aspect. However, where this shines is the relentless and cheesy creature attacks. The CGI for the swarms of creatures there makes the action they're required to perform seem all that much more over-the-top and unnatural as the attacks here become quite fun. From the opening ambush on the escaping pilot, the beach attack on the survivors and the subsequent chase into the islands' interior, the series of attacks on the group stopping at ponds or lakes for water, and the big chase at the end to get his daughter back after being accidentally abducted in a prior ambush, the crocodile is involved in a nice variety of action scenes here. As well, the inclusion of the spiders in the storyline as a further obstacle to overcome makes for a nice diversion and includes some more action as well with the creatures hunting the survivors in the forests of the island. This all comes together nicely enough to provide plenty of solid creature action for some positive features here. While there are a lot of positives here, this one does have some missteps holding it down. The main aspect here is the aforementioned abject cheesiness on display which makes the whole thing feel like a made-for-TV genre effort. The ludicrous story we're being asked to take seriously and the quality of the effects are the biggest factors of this, where the whole storyline just takes on one goofy twist after another with the means of getting stranded on the island, the presence of both the spiders and crocodiles and the later discovery of the WW II-era firepower left behind all seeming like the type of cheesy setups they are. Likewise, the CGI effects here carry that tone throughout, ranging from the passable involving the giant spiders to the ridiculous such as the croc attacks, and the outright laughable which is reserved for the spectacle sequences involving objects crashing or exploding. These are in line with the atmosphere established with the storyline and help to make the film feel even more like that kind of genre outing.

Rated Unrated/R: Violence and Language.

Obviously a low budget movie but I've seen MUCH worse high budget attempts with similar story lines. The acting isn't bad, the script is weak and the CGI is only just about acceptable. However, the movie flows along nicely and is actually quite entertaining.

I think the other x2 1 star reviews are a bit unfair, i was quite pleasently suprised with this film, sure its not the best film ever, but if your watching a film called crocodile island about a giant crocodile, your not going to be getting oscar winning acting or writing etc, its a film about a giant crocodile and some other critters, and people stuck on the island, the effects range from pretty good to not so great, but if your like me and you like monster films of all kinds, you will find some enjoyment here

It gets a little silly in places but overall it's fun to watch. The acting is decent. CGI effects vary a little but are mostly well done and are very effective at times.

The plot is basic but perfectly acceptable for this genre of film. Plane crashes, random strangers trapped on desert island with giant crocodiles and spiders wandering around. What could possibly go wrong?

The film claims to be "a condemnation of self-centeredness and selfishness and an ode to the greater love in our world and selfless dedication." This is evident in some scenes, particularly at the start, but I'm not sure it managed to live up to that thoughout.

It's a decent film, certainly no worse than a lot of other films in this genre. Give it a try. You just might enjoy it.