Crocodile Dundee (1986)

This 1986 comedy out of Australia is so old-fashioned in its romantic charm that one can't help but wonder what it would have looked like with Clark Gable and Carole Lombard in the leads. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine anyone besides Paul Hogan as the title character, a laid-back Aussie tracker who shows an American reporter (Linda Kozlowski) around bush country, then accompanies her to New York City. Sure, Hollywood has done the fish-out-of-water scenario to death in the last 20 years, and while this film has sufficient sport with the gimmick, it is largely driven by the principal characters and their developing love affair. Hogan cowrote the script and director Peter Faiman evokes the goofy, enchanted air of screwball comedies. The climactic scene, set in a subway station with scores of bystanders witnessing a conversation about relationship commitment, feels like vintage Capra. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

 ~A blast from the Past~
I remember watching this movie when it can out in 1986 & loving it! I was so happy when it was released on DVD in 2001. It is such a funny, adventurous & feel good movie. Paul Hogan is so FUNNY & his character is so endearing! You will laugh at his innocence as he leaves the Outback to explore the Big Apple! I L-o-v-e this movie as well as the next 2 installments of Dundee. August 8, 2007

 Good day mate!
Paul Hogan aka Crocodile Dundee enchants the audience with his rugged good lucks and animalistic characteristics- This is the original Croc movie or Crocodile Dundee I where a reporter from New York comes to Australia to write an article on the Outback but ends up getting much more! The infamous seen where the croc jumps out of the swamp and bites her water bottle while Mic Dundee jumps in and saves the day by knifing him between the eyes! Mic then agrees to come back to NYC with her where he gets a taste of city-life or in other words city-life gets a taste of Dundee!!! In the end, the touching bus scene where the report screams out over the crowd that "she's love ya" ends the movie and leads us into the next of three of the Crocodile Dundee trilogy!~ July 16, 2007

 Time For A Reappraisal?
This film is not considered 'cool' these days due mainly, I think, to lazy TV schedulers who will run a butchered version of the film on Sunday afternoons because it's a 'good family film'. I've caught this film on TV about four times and on each occasion it was in a badly cut version but this DVD seems, so far as I can tell, to be complete. The film deserves to be put alongside the best comedies of any era and should be regarded as one of the prime examples of the form(I would compare it to Capra at his best).

I was lucky enough to see this film at the cinema, knowing no more about it at the time, than that it was supposed to be a good comedy. Well it turned out to be a very good comedy indeed. The film offers so much more than just some very funny moments though. Everyone I know who saw it at the time loved it and it was no surprise that it became one of the years biggest hits. It is strong in all areas, well written and directed with good chemistry between the leading actors and an excellent cast who all perform their parts to perfection. Hogan stands out of course and had the difficult task of throwing off the tag 'Australia's answer to Benny Hill' something he manages effortlessly.

It's difficult to realise now how much of a 'breath of fresh air' it was at the time since Hollywood immediately co-opted (or stole) so much of the style and approach of the film for its own projects in the following years.

The film quite naturally divides into two parts. The first in Australia
has a surprising depth to it and a real feel for the place(the Outback)and its people and of course you get to know the characters. The second part of the film is in New York and provides the bulk of the humour but still remains character focused and never descends into pointless gag-making.

It manages to be hilariously funny one moment and sweetly touching the next. Put simply the film is a delight and a joy to watch and can be seen many times without tiring of it.
May 18, 2007

 Really good if you are 7 years old and think an Aussie accent is cool
Dumb girl is saved from big ol crocodile by wise outback guy who stabs it with big ol knife instead of just leaving it alone. Because girls of course could never survive in the outback. Natives with innate wisdom.

Sheech.

Every cliché in the book. Can't believe any adults swallow this one. It's going to be below the threshold for smart kids, let alone adults.

Better adventure film: Master and Commander

OK the dumbos who disagree can now press the "not helpful" button, and the smart people can, at least, consider what I've written. April 21, 2007

 That is not a knife... this is a knife...
There seems to be a recipe for making great movies, and this film has all the ingredients. Adventure, action, romance, and great comedy.

A modern day Tarzan, Crocodile Dundee is simply one of those movies we must see. Paul Hogan is superb as he plays the audacious and brave hero out in the wilderness of Australia. Linda Kozlowski is the reporter who sets out to surface the story of man who was attacked by a crocodile and survived to tell the story.

Mick, as he is known by his friends... and he has many... has never set out foot from his environment. Invited by the reporter, he travels to New York City, where great adventure ensues.

New Yorkers are not ready for someone like Crocodile Dundee, but soon, they find themselves admiring and becoming friends with this simply, kind, respectful, and courageous visitor.

The end of the movie is one of the best scenes, capturing great love, and how, total strangers can become instrumental in bringing a relationship to its climax.

Don't miss this movie and you will find yourself saying... "That is not a knife... this is a knife!"
April 14, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...