Lake Placid (1999) User Reviews

Campy monster parody

[MartianOctocretr5 · 7/10 · 3 July 2006]

Campy monster-movie fast-food that pokes fun at itself. Absolutely devoid of any message, but chock full of absurd parody.

Any movie that opens with a gruff county sheriff listening to "I Think I Love You" while he fishes can't be taken seriously. And it gets far goofier than that. The dialog is a relentless parade of one-liners between the five principals: a paleontologist (Bridget Fonda), a Fish & Game guy (Bill Pullman), a croc-worshiping professor (Oliver Platt), the sheriff (Brendan Gleeson), and an eccentric hermit (Betty White). Oh, and of course, a big creature with a big attitude and a big appetite.

Great character development; and all of the characters are over the top except maybe Pullman's, whose routine nice guy persona balances with the nuts. It's a toss-up who has the most joke lines or who delivers them with the most punch; as they reel off sarcasm at the speed of a machine gun. You can almost see the actors winking at the audience, and they obviously had fun making this. Even the monster (which usually looks real) performs like a seasoned comic. The only complaint to note is that once in a while the endless arguing may wear you out.

The story, which utilizes subtle references to big creature movies like Jurassic Park and Jaws, actually manages to go somewhere. There are a few clever surprises, and the closing scene is rather unique.

No cerebral activity will be necessary in the course of watching this movie. Just settle down with some popcorn, and get ready for some good comic idiocy.

A really good trashy movie

[cwpnewpaltz · 7/10 · 13 November 2000]

I loved this dopey movie. Funny,with an absolutely hilarious performance by Betty White, an appealing Bridget Fonda (for the first time in memory), and very likeable Brendan Gleeson and Oliver Platt. Bill Pullman was fine but the least of it. What's not to like? I mean, who wouldn't want to save an alligator that's biting people in half in an unspoiled lake 25 miles from anywhere in the middle of Maine? There are so many BAD time wasting movies out there, so much violent, or inane, or vulgar, or sadistic junk that this tongue-in-cheek tale with its dotty characters and clever ending just has to be viewed as one of those times to sit back and smile broadly without guilt. This is hard to pull off, and not to be minimized.

There be Dragons in this Lake

[Bogmeister · 6/10 · 13 November 2005]

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.

Entertaining

[gsaylor · 1 October 2000]

Finally got to see this flick on HBO last night. It was entertaining. These days it's tough to find a really good film because of all of the hype so your expectations of any movie can be too high. With Lake Placid what you see is what you get. It was fun although the closing credits with the actor's interviews would lead you to believe this was an Oscar contender. The special effects were much better than the Deep Blue Sea. The other comments for this movie are on the mark highlighting the Oliver Platt and Brendan Gleeson characters. Betty White was a hoot. If you see this movie don't take it or yourself too seriously, just have fun.

Surprisingly entertaining

[Paul-103 · 6/10 · 19 January 2000]

My wife told me to get this movie. I told her it got terrible, terrible reviews. Well, we got it, I wound up watching it and enjoying it much more than I thought I would. More a comedy than a horror movie, it was pretty stupid, knew it was, and treated itself accordingly. Loved Brendan Gleeson as the sheriff, and Betty White's part, though small, was wonderfully eccentric.

"Ma'am, your husband Bernie, you didn't by any chance lead him to the lake blindfolded?"

[juneebuggy · 7/10 · 25 April 2020]

Really enjoyable and fun "horror" movie about a ferocious giant crocodile picking people off from a secluded lake in Maine. Its worth watching just for a foul mouthed Betty White who steals the show but an excellent B monster movie.

This doesn't take itself too seriously and the cast all bounce well off each other as the investigative team, local Sherriff and crazy crocodile hunter. The dialogue is clever, filled with witty banter, and a sweet but not in your face romance between Bill Pullman and an initially super annoying Bridget Fonda,- whose character softens the more she (keeps) getting thrown out of the boat.

Really enjoyed Oliver Platt as the big game hunter and his barb filled exchanges with sheriff Brendan Gleeson. There a couple of awesome croc kills especially the first one with guy getting bit in half. Surprise! Gave me several laughs and is the kind of feel good movie you'll watch multiple times

The ending is just perfect... thanks again to Betty White.

Suffers from bad characters

[damitam-04778 · 5/10 · 21 March 2022]

There is a lot of nice elements to the film that save it from being a total disaster but the biggest problem is unfit hard to ignore, that the unlikeable and uninspired characters.

what an amazing surprise!!

[forbidden-1 · 7/10 · 21 October 2002]

I've just I've just watched Lake Placid on cable and I can safely say that never before in my 27 years have I ever been so unexpectantly and pleasantly surprised by a movie. To be fair, I was preparing to give this movie 15 mins before I turned it over - but what a treat it was!!!

The opening croc scene has great gore effects. Bridget Fonda then kicks in and her sarcasm, wit and comic timing are a joy to behold - I can't believe I'm saying this, but after her first few scene's I was thinking 'Oscar winner'. It takes the viewer three of four scene's, around 20 minutes, to be sure that this film is a p*ss take. Its tongue in cheek and it's superb.

The banter between the mad old rich croc hunter and the county sheriff is hilarious - I was laughing out load so much - and was thoroughly charmed at the same time.

Anyone who slags this movie off is clearly missing the point. Its not comedy in the orthodox sense and it certainly isn't horror. It's very subtle and very clever.

Sad it crashed at the box office - perhaps they should have marketed it differently.

Enjoy.

Crikey! This movie bites! Lake Placid is full of croc!

[ironhorse_iv · 5/10 · 14 October 2015]

To some, Lake Placid might seem, like it mastered, the B-movie horror genre 'so bad, it's good', type of a film. However, for others; the movie is full of mean-spirited, unfunny, somewhat offensive jokes. For me, I felt like, this movie was pretty entertaining, however, I'm not one of those, who would be, a tailgater for this film. This movie can bite me! This tongue-in-cheek, killer croc film was pretty stupid. Directed by Steve Miner, the movie tells the story of a group of wildlife experts, trying to hunt a giant, 30-foot-long man-eating crocodile, which is terrorizes the small community of Black Lake, Maine. Can they capture the beast, or will they become the crocodile's next meal? Watch the movie to find out, if you want to! Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, that Lake Placid isn't that great. Not at all! However, it's a lot better than the later, crocodile related horror films. One thing, that I didn't like, about the film is the characters. All, of them, has their moments of annoyance to me. The only, two characters, I was, somewhat rooting for, was Sheriff Hank Keough (Brendan Gleeson) & Fish and Game officer Jack Wells (Bill Pullman), because they were the ones, that seem, somewhat normal. Everybody else, I was kinda rooting for the crocodile to eat them. Bridget Fonda as the History paleontologist Kelly Scott, comes across as a whinny city girl, looking for a hookup. The first part of the film, with her, was very hard to get through. I really didn't care to find out, what her previous relationship did to her. Nor did, I care for her forced relationship with Bill Pullman's character. She really doesn't do, much for the film, besides endangering herself and her teammates, anyways. Nor, does she really care, that the crocodile kill people. She still wants it, to be capture, rather than, not killed. What type of human being, does that!? It was there, that I really couldn't stand her presence. Mythology professor/crocodile enthusiast Hector Cyr (Oliver Platt) was the same way. While, he was somewhat funny. His jokes were, mostly a miss, rather than a hit, due to his offensive, often homophobia and womanizer nature. I really didn't like, his preachy, keep the animal alive, approach. Both characters should had died, and the crocodile should had be luggage. See you later, alligator. Bye! Bye! Another problem, with the film was the settlings. For a movie call Lake Placid; it really has a lame excuse for the name, Lake Placid. I was really hoping, the movie settling was, indeed, Lake Placid, New York. Maybe, have, some type of Olympian swimmer, kill the beast in the end. Who Knows! It could probably, make a better movie, than we got. While, this film was a financial success at the box office and was followed by a series of sequels and a crossover film with the Anaconda series. Sadly, this animal attack movie doesn't have the thrill and chills in suspense, like Steven Spielberg's 1975's hit, Jaws. It's not scary, at all. Nor, does the movie master, any sense of horror comedy like Ron Underwood's 1990 Tremors. Still, compared to a lot of killer croc films, out there. Lake Placid features some semi great special effects by both Stan Winston and Digital Domain that, for the most part, hold up, today. The crocodile looks somewhat realistic. The gore effects was good enough for stomach curling. The sequels however not so much, though I do admittedly, they look better than most Sci-Fi Channel Original films. The movie also doesn't really, have much in exposition or plot development. It seem like the movie didn't care about the science, too much, as it's somewhat abandoned, explaining, toward the middle of the film. Even in the end, you still, don't have, no clue, how the crocodile got into the lake in the first place, and how it's able to survive there. Regardless, the movie does have, some good pacing. There were very few filler scenes in this 82 minutes film. Another thing, that I like, about the film is the music; however, it rarely matches, what's going on, with the film. Honestly, how in the hell does 'I Think I Love You' by singer, Maureen Davis & 'It's Not Unusual" by singer, Tom Jones, have to do, with a 20ft killer crocodile!? Noting, if you ask me. Overall: While, the music doesn't match, well with the film. I still have, to say, this movie still entertains me, enough to get, through it. Nevertheless, this feeding frenzy movie is only good for a one-time watch. Not worth, the rewatchability. This movie has reptile dysfunction.

LAKE PLACID (Steve Miner, 1999) ***

[Bunuel1976 · 7/10 · 22 October 2006]

Despite being aware of the good reviews it garnered on its release, I never got to watch until now: a 'B' horror movie at heart, this is good old-fashioned entertainment (despite the new-fangled CGI effects). Considering Miner had helmed a couple of lame Friday THE 13TH films (which I've just watched, incidentally), this is a far more satisfying genre effort from him: engaging protagonists (best of all is flustered sheriff Brendan Gleeson, but Betty White's eccentric character is also memorable - with the scene where she feeds a cow to 'her' crocodile verging on the surreal), good level of suspense, thrilling action, some gore, and there's also a healthy dose of humor...though its attempt to lend gravitas to the main theme (with the crocodile considered a form of deity) doesn't work. There have been few croc films, with the most notable examples being THE ALLIGATOR PEOPLE (1959) - which I'd love to rewatch, though I guess not enough to purchase Fox's bare-bones DVD - and ALLIGATOR (1980; to which this compares quite favorably) - released as a SE by Anchor Bay UK, along with its straight-to-video sequel. By the way, while watching this I was reminded of another acquatic monster picture of recent vintage which I also missed out on - DEEP BLUE SEA (1999) - and I guess now's as good a time as any to check it out...

Not nearly great, still amusing

[Kendich89 · 3/10 · 1 December 2016]

The only redeemable things in this movie are the picturesque location of its filming and the two-dime jokes exchanged between the characters. Now with that aside we can move onto the main aspects of this doomed production. The premise to the story warms us up to the absurd context that evolves quickly, and, then even more quickly devolves after the establishment of the conflict to a climax that makes you cringe, not in suspense but at the sheer farce of a situation involving guns, puck up trucks, booby traps, a helicopter, a cow hanging from the helicopter, and, of course, a giant crocodile that seems to be popping up (conveniently enough) in all the right places at all the right times. Now, I don't know if the real intention behind the film is to be scary or funny or scientific, or all, but one thing I do know for sure, is that it fails at every one those levels.

The summary to the movie is well-known. Going a little further into its timeline, we get to the scene where Kelly Scott, a museum palaeontologist, is told by her boss, Kevin, that 'some guy' gets killed up in Maine by something, probably a bear, and that they'd found a fragment of a tooth, probably belonging to the animal responsible for the guy's death, and that he wants her to go up there and examine it as to determine the kind of the animal. Oddly enough, he didn't mention that the sheriff was present when that particular killing took place, and being a mountain guy, he'd probably be familiar with the fact that bears don't attack from underwater in the middle of a deep lake. To me that was the first clue to the fact that this movie was not to be taken at face value. Even though the overall story was a crippled version of Jaws, I still found some enjoyable moments in the movie, especially those long shots of the magnificent locations. My advice? Don't count on learning anything about real life croc behaviour or the authority procedure in such a case. I also found amusement, yet again, at the oh so familiar American way of being too philosophical about everything- to kill the croc or not to kill it? Yeah, that was going for a while...

It's a COMEDY folks

[elsie1888 · 8/10 · 15 February 2005]

I love watching this movie. I love this dialog in a "horror" film. I got myself a copy on DVD and watch it at least a few times a year. There are some classic lines between the city folk vs. the bumpkins. Fonda's line about the sarcasm being too subtle is great (while spraying RAID in the middle of Maine). Betty White is building her career these days being the tart-mouthed old broad (see "Boston Legal" - another David Kelley production). Also, the interplay between Oliver Platt and the actor playing the sheriff are priceless.

Contrary to what others have written - I think the special effects go just fine with the overall campy and comedy feel of the movie and the amount of gore is also appropriate. More would change the tone of the film from the comedy which I enjoy, to one more of a gross-out nature.

Just a favorite of mine. Try it if you, for example, liked "Love at First Bite" - you will probably like this too.

Camping, Relationships and Thrills

[cgallo · 7/10 · 15 May 2005]

David Kelley knows about character development. I view LAKE PLACID as a two-hour TV show with pretty decent CGI, well drawn characters and cool lake cinematography. And I am a sucker for movies that feature helicopters, a conveyance that I would never ride in personally.

If you listen carefully when Bridget Fonda's character is flying to Maine, the strains of "I Love New York" can be heard in the music. Subtle touches like this make me smile and when you add the scenic vistas and evocative score, well that spells good TV in my book.

Wondering where in New England you can find a lake that nobody lives on, though.

Good Grief! Get the net!

[maryc · 1/10 · 17 July 1999]

Good grief! This flick was horrible! Worse, it was boring! What was David Kelley thinking? For that matter, what were Bill Pullman, Bridget (I hope you get eaten by the crocodile) Fonda, and Oliver Platt thinking? If this was supposed to be a spoof, someone should have told them that means it's supposed to be funny..Hellooo! I was even disappointed in the creature effects by Stan Winston (which is amazing, cause he never misses!). The only bit of funny was the foul-mouthed Betty White role (barely). Come to think of it, what was I thinking, paying good money to see this? Definitely, a wait till the video comes out pick.

Fun, tongue in cheek monster B-movie

[bob the moo · 3 August 2003]

When a diver is cut in half by something under the water of a quiet lake in Maine, Sheriff Keough calls in the Rangers, Jack Wells and a New York palaeontologist, Kelly Scott to investigate a tooth found. Wealthy crocodile hunter Hector Cyr swoops in to insist that the creature is a crocodile. A claim that looks increasingly likely when the body count begins to rise.

You really need to be in the mood for a film like this or else you will likely hate it. If you love Tremors then you might be the sort of person that lake Placid is aimed at. The film's strength is that it is a big silly B-movie and it knows it. The film lets us know very early on that it is not 100% serious and this then frees us up to enjoy it rather than moaning about the sheer unlikelyness of the whole affair.

The plot is daft of course, a Jaws rip off from opening sequence to final attack. The fact that the script has a great sense of humour makes this OK – so when an old woman feeds a cow to the croc then it's fine because that's just what you'd expect in this film. Likewise the humour gives rise to plenty of funny lines which add to the feeling that the film is about fun more than scares. `Is this the man who was attacked?' says Cyr, holding a toe found by the water `he seemed taller' replies the sheriff. Of course at some point the ending must come and it is as overblown as you'd expect, but even then it has it's tongue in it's cheek (fishing with a cow!?).

The crocodile effect is a mixed bag. In some instances it is good while in others it is over animated and not realistic. For the most part though it works well enough. The cast are not that good but deliver wooden performances in a good way (if that's possible). Platt steals every scene he is in by getting all the funny lines (`yeah well they conceal that sort of information in books' being a put down I fully intend to use given the chance). Pullman is given a less glamorous task of being the leading man while Fonda is like Ally McBeal in the woods! Gleeson is great fun bouncing off Platt and Betty White is so crazy that it's hard not to laugh!

Overall this is a big budget silly B-movie that laughs at itself. If you are not in the mood for that, or can't accept it for what it is then you'd do well to avoid this film. For all others there is enough good lines and silly fun to be had here to help you enjoy it, even if you do forget it shortly after watching it.

Updating of monster movies themes with good cast and especial effects outstanding

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 10 July 2007]

This comedy-horror begins when a giant Croc attacks at a backwards warden causing a grisly death.A paleontologist(Bridget Fonda) is sent to Maine by his chief-fiancée(Adam Arkin appears uncredited)who has other lover(Mariska Hargitay).She investigates and discover a prehistoric tooth.The scientific along with a warden(Bill Pullman),a stubborn sheriff(Brendan Gleeson),a deputy(Meredith Salenger) and an eccentric millionaire(Oliver Platt) attempt to figure out the strange events.The Crocodile is still hungry after eating a warden in a creepy scenes with gore included .

This monster movie contains suspense,comedy,terror,scares,suspense and bone-chilling scenes when the large Crocodile attacks.The enormous Croc delivers the goods with thrills,screams,eerie horror with its spontaneous appearance,some scenes are made by means of computer generator though mostly by Animatronics realized by the FX master,Stan Winston.The comic relief in charge of Betty White(The golden girls) as a sympathetic and foul-mouthed old woman with a special secret.Colorful cinematography by Okada,reflecting brightly the Maine lush woods where the story is developed. Appropriate music score adjusted to the atmosphere film and known final song by Bob Marley.The movie is written and produced by the successful TV scriptwriter(Professors of Boston,The practice,LA law).The motion picture is professionally directed by Steve Miner, a horror expert(Hallowen H20,Wallock,Friday the 13th)and some comedy film(My father the hero,Soul man).It's an OK juvenile entry into monster movies,being specially remarkable for excellent recreating of the carnivorous and ferocious Croc .

Great for fans of gallows humor , quirky performances, and slow burns

[lemon_magic · 7/10 · 16 April 2005]

Let me say up front that this movie's style appealed to me from the very beginning; another person with a more staid sense of humor might not like it at all and might rate it much lower.

The special effects are decent, the photography and scenery are gorgeous, and the plot is pleasantly absurd without degenerating into "Scary Movie" material. Most of the characters come across as appealing, decent people caught in a bizarre situation. They react in believable ways to unbelievable events, with two exceptions: 1)Oliver Platt's crocodile groupie. The character is a complete flake, but Platt fleshes him out as a funny and self-aware entity who is a lot of fun to watch and listen to...and the character finally has a flash of common sense an hour into the movie. 2) Similarly, Betty White has a semi-cameo as the most eccentric/lunatic grandma in Maine, but she is only a little bit more oddball than any 'real' senior citizen might be in a similar situation.

Pretty much everyone strikes the right tone in this movie and gives a good-to-great performance, but Brendon Gleeson (as the sheriff) makes the movie for me. He gets most of the best lines, and delivers them with the sullen, deadpan, passive-aggressive panache of a born pain-in-the-butt. His character is insulted, pushed around and put-upon something awful in the course of the movie, and he does a wonderful slow burn. IMO, it's the most overlooked comic performance of that movie year.

Aside: geez, Gleeson is an ACTOR. You'd never think that the guy who plays this character would also be great in a visceral adventure/horror film like "28 Days Later". He was also one of best things about "Troy" as Helen's cuckolded husband, who duels Paris (Orlando Bloom) and kicks seven varieties of snot out of him in a towering rage. Gleeson comes across as one big, mean, scary butt-kicker, and he makes Paris/Orlando look like a sniveling little girly-man in comparison. Talk about range and versatility...! From now on, I intend to see any movie with Gleeson in a featured role; he's that good.

Anyway, the movie is good, mean fun, with a nice sense of proportion. It laughs with the characters, and not at them. There is a winking acknowledgment of the fact that people are stupid and no damned good...but they still try their best, and their humanity is both endearing and infuriating.

An Absolute Croc

[kyle2011 · 3/10 · 12 February 2022]

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.

Betty White Gets Better With Age

[view_and_review · 7/10 · 15 December 2020]

"Lake Placid" was sputtering along. I didn't particularly like any of the characters and if it weren't for the opening scene there would've been zero interest. Then entered Betty White as Mrs. Bickerman. I don't think I'd be overstating it if I said she saved the movie. She just gets better with age. The movie would've been a ton better if she were in it more.

"Lake Placid" was about a giant crocodile living in a lake in Aroostook County, Maine. The sheriff's department, the Department of Fish and Game, a paleontologist, and a rich crocodile enthusiast all descended on Lake Placid because of this croc. The sheriff, Hank Keough (Brendan Gleeson), wanted to kill the croc, the paleontologist, Kelly Scott (Bridget Fonda), wanted to study it, the enthusiast, Hector Cyr (Oliver Platt), wanted to worship it, and the Fish and Game warden, Jack Wells (Bill Pullman), was there to be a referee. And the best character of them all, Mrs. Bickerman, was there to confound them and throw them off the crocodile's trail.

"Lake Placid" didn't take itself too seriously, which was cool. It also didn't follow the normal scary movie tropes. I was wrong on all of my predictions of who would die and who would live. In fact, only two people were killed at the end of it all.

There was one cliché that the movie had to follow. It's coded in movie making DNA like birds flying south for the winter. Kelly and Jack had to kindle a romance. You could see the traditional initial contention turning into a mutual respect then a romantic interest. The movie concluded with them going on a date together. There was no way a single woman and a single man could be in a movie without hooking up.

That was the only real predictability. The movie was only 82 minutes, which is all that's needed for a movie of this kind. No need to drag it out and make a mountain out of a mole hill of a plot. We got some nice scenes of the croc in action, we got a tad bit of suspense, and we got an opening for a sequel. No need for much more.

Not Very Funny Or Frightening

[no-skyline · 4/10 · 27 January 2006]

Lake Placid tries to mix two very different genres in horror and comedy but fails to be funny enough or scary enough when it counts. To be honest I get the impression that the makers of this movie were trying to be clever but it just doesn't come off. Oliver Platt is excellent as ever but the rest of the cast are left floundering like an alligator in a trap. Bill Pullman plays his trademark everyman role pretty well but it often seems like the movie is just bad for the sake of it rather than ever really being genuinely funny. Some horror b-movie buffs will find it entertaining but I never really got into what seems a film with a major identity crisis.

Tries to be clever but fails, not funny enough for a laugh, not scary enough to scream 4/10

I don't care what anyone says, I really like this movie

[Mccadoo · 7/10 · 28 June 2006]

OK, it is cheesy but it's supposed to be. And I really didn't think the acting was that bad. It's a tongue in cheek movie and while it's not nearly up to "Tremors" standards for spoofing horror movies, I think it does a pretty good job at being what it is; a fun, check your brain at the door, movie. I really enjoyed it. And there are some great quotes;

"They conceal that type of information in books"

"Have you ever been to Maine before?" "I'm not allowed, I have good hygiene."

"You know, you really don't need to tell people you're from New York."

Almost any of Betty White's lines

And last but not least; Meredith Salinger is in it, she doesn't have a big role but, as always, she looks damn good. And she has one of the great lines in the movie;

The eccentric millionaire as he's about to go diving in the lake looking for the giant croc's den; "I want to see where it lives". Meredith; "Then watch NOVA!"

Awful! Feed it to the crocs!

[the amorphousmachine · 2/10 · 11 April 2005]

What can I say? I remember being utterly annoyed when I saw 'Lake Placid' years ago and hating it completely, and now, stumbling upon some glowing comments with 9s and 10s and anything above 5 attached to them, I thought I stretch my shaky memory, and put in my two cents on this rubbish!

Yes, it's tongue'n'cheek! Yes, it's a B-grade monster movie that doesn't take itself too seriously- but even 'Eight Legged Freaks" (another film I'm not a huge fan of) was way better than this! 'Deep Rising' is a masterpiece compared to this rubbish! At least the characters in that film took their premise a little more seriously! 'Lake Placid' is just simply not funny at all! There is no cleverness to the humour! Oliver Platt- irritating, Bill Pullman- bland, Bridget Fonda- hmmm, umm, boring, and Betty White- yes, swearing is super-funny, not! I don't get the love for this movie at all. It's not very funny, nor does it have heaps of death scenes to keep you entertained. And as for the crocodile- give me the computer-generated sharks in 'Deep Blue Sea' any day of the way (at least that film was rather funny, and didn't take itself too seriously either) or gimme an overly huge python in the almost-as-awful but "actually" B-grade 'Python' (which at least had Casper Van Dien with a moustache- come on? what more do want a film with a giant snake?)! Lake Placid had nothing going for it!

Steve Miner, director of 'Friday the 13th Part 2', 'Friday the 13th Part 3' and 'Warlock' has made his worse film in 'Lake Placid'- heck, even 'Big Bully' was better than this unfunny ham-fisted bore-fest! If I ever get the DVD as a gift or something, remind me to gift-wrap in cow-flesh and throw into real crocodile infested waters!

* out of *****!

Finally, A horror movie that's not......a horror movie, I guess.

[mainelobster714 · 9/10 · 4 June 2005]

"Lake Placid" is one of my all-time favorite movies ever. The dialog is sarcastic and funny no matter what's going on, which keeps it light even with all the people getting eaten every now and then. All the lines between Hector and the Sheriff are especially noted. Most of the comebacks I use whenever possible in everyday conversation. Hector's dream is awesome, though. I love Oliver Platt.

The best part is that it isn't trying to be a scream-out-loud sort of monster horror movie, it's just having fun. The acting isn't the best, but the way all the lines are delivered makes up for it, and adds to it's charm. It really reminds me of one of those cheap Sci-Fi channel monster movies with the horrible effects, only 10 times better and the effects are more real, of course. Not perfect, but better then the Sci-Fi channel. It looked like a crocodile to me.

So while you can sit there and try to pick out everything that's wrong with this movie, it's better just to sit back and enjoy it. It's not pretending to be intelligent and so the movie is best viewed knowing that. It tells you that itself within the first 10 minutes.

You accepted money from him? No! We took a check!

[sol1218 · 7/10 · 1 October 2011]

(Some Spoilers) It's when a skin diver was found floating to the surface of Lake Placid, or Black Lake as it's now called, bitten in half that alarm bells started ringing from the State of Maine to New York's Natural History Museum in that something strange was happening in the waters out there.

With a very reluctant head of the Paleontology Department at the museum young Kelly Wells,Bridget Fonda,dispatched to far off Maine to determine what's the cause of this horror she's confronted by local Fish & Game Warden Jack Wells,Bill Pullman, and local sheriff Hank Keough,Brendan Gleeson. The two right away don't see eye to eye with Kelly in what's going on or in the lake. Kelly feels that both Wells & Keoguh are a big turned off in Kelly, a big city girl with a collage PHD, in her hampering their instigation. It's both Wells & Keough feel that she doesn't know squat, by never going outside of New York City limits, about the great outdoors despite her being an expert on wildlife in and out of the water.

It soon becomes apparent that there's something very dangerous lurking in the lake after a second attack happened where a deputy sheriff ended up getting decapitated when boat that Wells Kelly and Sheriff Keough was riding on looking for whatever was committing these atrocities was almost capsize. It's that's the nutty Mythology Professor Hector Cyr, Oliver Platt, was called in to help in the investigation. It soon becomes evident,after an attacking grizzly bear was attacked and dragged into the lake, what what's killing off the people and wildlife in the area is: A monster size over 30 foot long and up to four ton Asiatic salt water crocodile! The crocodile somehow swam thousands of miles and ended up in the re-named Lake Black,formerly Lake Placid, through underwater channels connecting the lake to the Atlantic Ocean! It also becomes very apparent that professor Cry a crocodile lover who feels that crocodiles are the highest and most noble form of life on earth is going to do everything in his power, even risk his as well as anyone else's lives,to save the monster crocodile from extinction!

***SPOILERS*** As we soon learn it's old lady Delores Bickerman,Betty White, who's really behind all this carnage in and around the lake. Mrs Brickerman has for some seven years been feeding the monster crocodile the livestock on her farm as well as keeping from the police the truth of the disappearance of her husband Berney who in fact was one of her favorite pet's-the crocodile-first meals or victims! With the truth about the monster crocodile now out in the open it's decided to kill the thing by sending in the entire state Fish & Game Department and well as all the law enforcement personnel within 50 miles of the lake where the beast resides. But as expected it's the nutty Professor Hector Cyr who's love for the monster crocodile exceeds his own as well as anyone on else lives does everything his his power to keep that from happening.

Exciting final with the big showdown between man and beast at Black Lake with very unexpected and at the same time, for Hector Cyr, satisfying results. It's then that we in the audience as well as both Sheriff Keough and Fish & Game Warden and Forest Ranger Wells see just how right Hector was in keeping the killer crocodile alive! Not for just farther scientific studies but, with the film "Lake Placid" grossing almost 60 million dollars worldwide, for up until now two and even a third future sequel!

proud member of the 6%

[commieluke · 2/10 · 3 August 2003]

The 6% that gave this film a lowly 2.

Yep, a measly 2. The mind boggles at the thought of people who would give this dross a 10!

1. Self-effacing irony is all well and good as long as it's funny. Otherwise it's like having a neon sign saying THIS FILM IS CRAP AND WE KNOW IT! LAUGH AT OUR CRAPPINESS!

2. Self-referencing is all well and good as long as it's CLEVER.

3. This film just sucks.

My main problem with this film is remarkably simple. When I watch a killer animal movie I expect a fair death count. Yep, simple minded it might be but if I was wanting intelligence I wouldn't be watching a film about a giant crocodile would I? Gimmie a decent sized death count and I'll forgive the painful attempts at humor, the factual inaccuracies and the plot holes (again I don't have high expectations of killer animal movies) but what's the grand total of deaths in this film??

I'm not going to tell you but take whatever estimate you might have, then think lower.

And ignore anyone who tells you that the film is gory. Their either lying or really really squeamish. Frankly there can't be much gore in a film with so few actual deaths.

This film is dumb, boring, unfunny (is that a word?), doesn't provide the requisite high body count for these movies, and the crocodile is perhaps the lamest most unthreatening predator ever CGI'd into existence. What else can you say about a killer animal that won't munch a guy one meter in front of it swimming in the water?? You're a crocodile for Christ sake, man in water, kill kill kill!

It gets two points. One for a moment that made me laugh (kinda). One for a highly amusing death. Two points, that's your lot.