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CS Weekly Archive > DVD > 06/15/07
What a Croc
by dennis sampson
Primeval
John Brancato & Michael Ferris
 
 
At the time of its release, Primeval was advertised as “the true story of the most terrifying serial killer in history.” Somewhat misleading, considering the “serial killer” in question is a giant crocodile. Buena Vista seems to have been called out on their marketing ploy because the DVD tagline reads: “Inspired by the True Story of the Most Bloodthirsty Crocodile Ever” (of course that sentence is a fallacy, because unless the filmmakers knew every crocodile that ever existed, they’re not at liberty to make such a statement). Regardless, Primeval follows a crew of American television journalists into the war zone of Burundi in the hopes of shooting footage of a giant, predatory crocodile (who is named, somewhat innocuously, Gustave). But when crewmember Steven (Orlando Jones) accidentally stumbles across a village execution and videotapes it, the band of Americans soon find themselves running from not just the terrifying reptile but the vicious warlord (Dumisane Mbebe) as well. The filmmakers of Primeval want the audience to draw a parallel between the crocodile and the belligerent village chief in pursuit of our stalwart heroes, going so far as to name him “Gustave” also. The movie draws inevitable comparison to the far superior Jaws [the group’s tour guide Jacob (Jürgen Prochnow) plays the Quint role here and even meets a strikingly similar fate]. With its inferior characters and CGI antagonist, Primeval is a sporadically fun B-movie that loses itself in a number of pretentious attempts at profundity with references to the injustices of third world countries. In short, it needs less lesson, more monster. As for the extras, commentary by director Michael Katleman and visual effects supervisor Paul Linden and a documentary on achieving the croc’s effects shed little light on the screenplay.
Primeval
Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Rated R; 94 min.
$29.99
Buy it now
Dennis Sampson is a commercial production coordinator and unproduced screenwriter. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his better half, Susan, and their dog Tripp.
Primeval courtesy Buena Vista Home Entertainment
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