Florida’s Mythic Beast Sparks Chaos
Read Time:4 Minute, 9 Second
MOVIE REVIEW
Crocodylus: Mating Season
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Genre: Comedy, Horror
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 25m
Director(s): Stanley Pomianowski
Writer(s): Stanley Pomianowski
Cast: Chuck Fusca, Rachel Comeau, Andy Gion, Jim Serrano, Alexis Baca, Dana Anderwald, Johnny Alonso, Sheryl Remekie Carbonell, Amanda Jayne Jensen, Dina Najjar
Where To Watch: available now, find it streaming here: www.crocodylus-movie.com
RAVING REVIEW: CROCODYLUS: MATING SEASON might initially seem like just another low-budget creature caper, but it's much more than that. With a delightful twist on the typical monster narrative, the film cleverly lampoons the genre while using its scenic Floridian setting as the perfect backdrop. The town of Peaceful Creek becomes a character in its own right, steeped in mystery and draped in the eerie and fun charm that fuels the film's plot. This feature blends humor with horror in a package accessible to both genre veterans and newcomers. As a sequel to the 2017 film CROCODYLUS (which, unfortunately, I didn’t get to check out before this), the film knows what it is and leans into it!
The story unfolds with Allie Glades (Rachel Comeau,) a mysterious local, engaging the grizzled detective Harry Bates (Chuck Fusca) to solve her brother's disappearance. The plot quickly thickens as they are drawn into a shadowy world of conspiracies and creatures, with the mythical Crocodylus at the heart of the story. Fusca's portrayal of Harry blends a hard-boiled detective's grit with a dash of curiosity, propelling the narrative into dark corners of hidden laboratories and deeper secrets.
As the duo digs deeper, they discover the secret behind Allie's brother's disappearance, and everything changes from that moment forward. Allie and Harry explore the depths of this mystery in a series of fun and absurd mini-stories. The tension ramps up when Allie undergoes an unexpected transformation, forcing Harry to ally with unforeseen partners to tackle this new threat. Through cunning and a bit of luck, Harry uncovers the mysteries of a bizarre Achilles' heel: the vibrant citrus power of Florida's oranges.
Directed by Stanley Pomianowski, who steps in for Michael McLaren from the first film, CROCODYLUS: MATING SEASON diverges from standard monster fare by weaving film noir elements with a clever satirical twist. The screenplay’s humor injects a welcome levity that contrasts with some of the film's darker elements.
In a welcome performance, Jim Serrano as Dr. Williams injects a necessary dose of eccentricity, blending humor with a hint of menace. The dynamic between Fusca and Comeau deepens the film's emotional engagement. At the same time, Andy Gion’s portrayal of Police Chief Rex adds a layer of gravitas with an intriguing take on law and order.
Alan Ostrander's visual effects salute the golden age of B-movies with flair and budget-conscious creativity. These practical effects enhance the fun of the creature encounters and enrich the film's atmospheric tension. Never once does the film try to take itself too seriously, and ultimately, that’s okay; I will never knock a film for having fun with it and the cast and crew leaning into it.
Balancing suspense with comedic elements, CROCODYLUS: MATING SEASON ensures a gripping viewing experience from start to finish. It sprinkles references to classic horror and science fiction, providing viewers a fresh yet nostalgic journey. The diverse cast, from Slade (Johnny Alonso), the faded rock icon, to his girlfriend Missy (Alexis Baca), injects intrigue and humor, enriching the unfolding drama.
While CROCODYLUS: MATING SEASON may not revolutionize the creature feature genre, it does breathe new life into it, setting a compelling stage for more potential sequels. The film concludes with a cliffhanger that primes audiences for further inventive twists and spine-chilling exploits in upcoming chapters.
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[photo courtesy of DUCK DUCK PRODUCTIONS, EXECUTIVE STUDIO PRODUCTIONS, 101 FILMS]
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Truly blessed experience. A genre or as Lex would say “this is not a road you want to go down” I’m glad I did. I trusted Stanley Pomianowski’s vision and he and the cast delivered.
Agreed, I can’t wait to see what he does next!