First let's talk about what gets this movie 3 stars. The crocodile special effects are great. It's evident that a lot of care was placed into it, and the model looks wonderful. The slow serpentine movement in the water is mesmerizing and threatening. Betty White is a wonderful addition as well. She fits right in as someone who's been taking care of a dangerous "pet" for years. She raises a good point that she's the only person who lives on this lake and that really it should belong to the croc.
Now, everything else. The characters are grating across the board with the worst being Hector. You can have a campy movie like Deep Blue Sea where the characters pretty quickly get over each others deaths. Or you can have a more serious and scary movie where deaths aren't immediately undercut with high school creative writing class level quips. When your characters are already supremely unlikable, throwing barbs at people moments after they lose someone from their agency makes them all the worse.
But that fits in perfectly with characters whose motivations and personalities were never considered by the writers. Kelly makes it clear she absolutely hates all aspects of field work, but because the writers wanted the 2 attractive people together, actively turns down every opportunity to leave. Hector reveres only 2 gods, himself and crocs, and is angry they want to kill it. But what do you think is going to happen to the croc that's just eaten multiple law enforcement officers if you keep lending your expensive croc finding gear? Jack, you've done nothing but express contempt towards Kelly, but I guess because you're both pretty and she's seen your bare arm, so what other basis does a relationship need.
Watch Deep Blue Sea if you want camp, watch Jaws if you want something good. Just skip this.
Now, everything else. The characters are grating across the board with the worst being Hector. You can have a campy movie like Deep Blue Sea where the characters pretty quickly get over each others deaths. Or you can have a more serious and scary movie where deaths aren't immediately undercut with high school creative writing class level quips. When your characters are already supremely unlikable, throwing barbs at people moments after they lose someone from their agency makes them all the worse.
But that fits in perfectly with characters whose motivations and personalities were never considered by the writers. Kelly makes it clear she absolutely hates all aspects of field work, but because the writers wanted the 2 attractive people together, actively turns down every opportunity to leave. Hector reveres only 2 gods, himself and crocs, and is angry they want to kill it. But what do you think is going to happen to the croc that's just eaten multiple law enforcement officers if you keep lending your expensive croc finding gear? Jack, you've done nothing but express contempt towards Kelly, but I guess because you're both pretty and she's seen your bare arm, so what other basis does a relationship need.
Watch Deep Blue Sea if you want camp, watch Jaws if you want something good. Just skip this.