An amusing take on the low-budget monster movies of the seventies, this is also a kind of follow-up to the Alligator movies of the early eighties. It wasn't a success, maybe due to the title - potential viewers may think it's a documentary about a lake - but is consistently humorous, thanks to a good cast. Fonda, as a paleontologist sent to investigate a sudden death by large teeth on the lake in question, is purposely irritating in the 'fish out of water' role. She reveals a surprising knack for comedy, the city girl from New Yawk stuck in the forest. Platt & Gleeson squabble like two long-lost overweight brothers as respectfully, eccentric millionaire & sheriff. Platt is always funny, and Gleeson matches him here. Pullman makes less of an impression, underplaying as the guy in charge. Betty White is a hoot as the foul-mouthed local old lady with a secret.

The monster in question, a 30-foot croc, stays out of sight for the first half-hour and when it does appear, it's strangely unsurprising, despite the suddenness. It's as if we've seen so many of these 'large animal' pictures by this point, this is just another one in a long line. It's a weird money shot as well, involving a growling bear, and is not as effective as it should be. Thanks to modern special FX, computer and otherwise, the croc is better realized than those of 20 years earlier. But that could be a problem: integrated into the wilderness like any other animal, there's nothing about the creature, despite its size, to inspire awe or real terror. It's just a big crocodile, after all. Like "Anaconda", this inspired a slew of big croc & alligator movies for the Sci-Fi Channel. UPDATE: Speaking of which, a sequel came out on the SF channel in late April, 2007.

I love this movie. There is no other way to say it. It is so very well written and acted, and Betty White steals the show. Up until this movie I had only seen her in The Golden Girls. To hear her swear and lob insults the way she does in this movie is worth watching it. The rest of the cast plays well off each other as well, with all the snarky comments and playful banter. This is one of the best nature attacks themed movies out there. If you have seen this and forgotten how great it is, or have not yet seen it, then I suggest you drop everything and have at it.

In Maine, Sheriff Hank Keough (Brendan Gleeson) pulls out a Fish and Game officer ripped in half. They pull a fragment of a tooth and American Museum of Natural History sends paleontologist Kelly Scott (Bridget Fonda) to examine the tooth. She is not happy to go out to the backwoods but once there, she is not too eager to return to her ex-boyfriend boss who just dumped her and is now dating her best friend. Fish and Game officer Jack Wells (Bill Pullman) is not happy to have her along. Crocodile enthusiast Hector Cyr (Oliver Platt) arrives hearing of the discovery. Mrs. Delores Bickerman (Betty White) is a delusional neighbor who claims to have killed her husband.

This is a very simple creature feature. Oliver Platt is weird having some fun making Brendan Gleeson angry. Bridget Fonda is the flighty city dweller and does the screaming. If the attempts at joking around do not annoy you, then there is some fun to be had. There's a giant crocodile taking down a bear and a cow. The joking around keeps the tone relatively light. This is light weight B-horror movie and it knows it.