Primeval (2007)

Primeval (2007): Dir: Michael Katleman / Cast: Dominic Purcell, Brooke Langton, Orlando Jones, Jurgen Prochnow, Gideon Emery: Supposedly based on true events although the likely hood of that are probably exaggerated. The film has a film crew that flies to Africa to gain coverage over numerous deaths. Apparently a giant crocodile is to blame. Director Michael Katleman creates tension but it is interesting that the film's advertisements place no mentions on the crocodile. Instead they make it sound as if a human being caused over 300 deaths. The crocodile is indeed huge and looks fantastic but realism is tested when it attacks a car. Suspense abound although those sequel lovers may be in luck. It will put some viewers in mind of the horrible 1980 horror film Alligator, which is even worse than this. Dominic Purcell is there because he foiled a previous report. He is the one individual who contains any depth although that still doesn't elevate it above formula. He is accompanied by Brooke Langton as the film's official female so that one can be billed within the cast, and Orlando Jones as his cameraman. Jurgen Prochnow and Gideon Emery are also featured as potential menu specials for the croc. None of them are broad roles. Langton is pretty much a romantic tease for Purcell. Theme regards those things that are best accepted because explanation is oblivious such as the writing of this screenplay. Score: 4 / 10

There're some problems with the way this movie's story, the alligator and the visuals all mesh together.First of all there's no real focus to the story. Is it a giant alligator movie or some kind of introduction to African political situation movie ? The alligator appears way too sporadically to be the main focus, and what happens most of the time in this movie is people shooting people with machine guns and killing each other. The scenes are mostly happening at night time and you could hardly make out who's getting shot by who, and who's getting eaten by the croc.So visually and story wise there are no highlights to speak of, and turns into a rather dumb movie.The movie could have been way better because the visuals and acting was decent but missed its mark big time because of these poor technicalities.Not recommended as it will most likely turn out to be you waiting for something really interesting to happen and get dragged to its very nothing end.

Primeval starts in New York where TV news producer Tim Manfrey (Dominic Purcell) is in trouble for using false sources for a big story he ran, his boss Roger Sharpe (Patrick Lyster) orders Tim to accompany animal TV presenter Aviva Masters (Brooke Langton) to Burundi in Africa to capture a huge 25 foot long Alligator nicknamed Gustave that has been killing many of the locals & document it on tape for a show. Reluctantly Tim agrees & along with his cameraman Steve (Orlando Jones) & a minor TV 'Crocodile Hunter' is flown out to Burundi which has been ravaged by Civil war for years & is the poorest country on Earth. With limited approval from the Government the team get underway & a local guide takes them to the Rasizi River where Gustave operates, setting traps for the giant Alligator the team soon realise that it is much bigger & smarter than they first thought. Along with a giant man-eating Alligator the local warlords target the team after they catch footage of them killing innocent villagers...Directed by Michael Katleman this bloated Creature Feature about a giant Alligator tries to make a few political points & in the end can't really decide what it wants to be & leaves one slightly unsatisfied on all counts. The script was written by John Brancato & Michael Ferris who were also responsible for the likes of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), the awful Catwoman (2004), Surrogates (2009) & Terminator Salvation (2009) which should give you some idea how far you should lower your expectations, while the Creature Feature aspect of Primeval is pretty uninspiring stuff with a giant Aligator popping up every so often to eat a cast member the constant political overtones become annoying & are fairly clichéd anyway. The script tries to paint Burundi as a dangerous place where the innocent suffer, there's even time for the American news-crew to adopt an African boy & take him back home to the US in a supposed feel good moment that feels so fake it's untrue. There's an obligatory twist at the end which is just thrown in there so one was there, it really makes no major difference to the story or it's outcome. At over an hour & a half Primeval is pretty slow going at times resembling a holiday documentary as there are seemingly infinite numbers of wide shots of the Burundi landscape which just slow things down & get repetitive. Apparently based on a true story I would be very surprised if Primeval resembled reality in any way. The character's are boring, the romance between the two leads is predictable, the comedy relief black guy is irritating while the big game hunter with a grudge is straight out of Jaws (1975). The film feels a little thrown together, it's like there were two separate scripts, one for a giant Alligator Creature Feature & one for a political drama that were both combined. I really didn't think much of it, as either a Creature Feature or a serious political thriller.Generally well made there are a few set-pieces that are ruined by poor lighting & too many quick camera cuts that make it impossible to keep track of what's going on & where everyone is in relation to each other. There's some gore here, there's some bitten off limbs, some blood splatter, people are shot, there's a decapitation & someones head is crushed. The scenery is nice enough I suppose but while the film tries to show off the natural beauty of Africa I admit I wouldn't want to go there, far too isolated for me as I love my cities & mod cons. The special effects are pretty good here, the CGI Alligator looks good as does the puppet one when used.With a fairly poor opening box-office weekend of just over $6 million I doubt we will see a sequel anytime soon, well made with Hollywood style production values & gloss this was actually filmed in South Africa. The acting is alright, I can't say anyone was that bad or that good to be honest.Primeval can't quite make up it's mind what it wants to be & ends up feeling like two films stitched together, this makes for a rather unsatisfying viewing experience. The political message is basic & cheap, the Creature Feature aspect is clichéd & predictable with neither making much of a lasting impression.

There has always been a special place in my heart for Killer Croc movies. "Crocodile" from Tobe Hooper was super cheesy but entertaining as hell; an example of a "good" killer croc movie. Then there is "Blood Surf" that was so bad it made me giggle at the title creature every time it poked it's low budget face out of the shrubs (yes only the face is shown unless it's crappy CGI). "Primeval" is genius, even better than Hooper's croc movie. The special effects are beautiful; the croc actually looked real and monstrous at the same time, making it at least somewhat frightening. The night scenes combined with tons of blood made it look beautiful at times too, especially the kill at the bridge.Now, this is definitely a movie for moviegoers who love a good laugh and blood and gore. I see in the forums that certain people consider some of the dialogue is "racist," but I have to disagree. Orlando Jones is hilarious, and if your sense of humor is very intact you will find him to be the most enjoyable character due to him being the character who makes sure the movie does not take itself too seriously. Jones and the croc are the stars of the movie, they save it from being too generic.If you want a good storyline, do not watch this movie. It's fun as hell, but the story is too political when it should be about the croc. The tone shifts a bit too much showing that the director or writers tried to tie in political criticism just to express a last opinion. It would have been great overall popcorn fun if the movie would have been strictly about Mr. Gustave the Crocodile and no African rebels and such. Other than that, I love this movie and will always be able to watch it. Fun it is, deep it is not.