Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Killer Crocodile 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 1, 2020

Giannetto De Rossi's "Killer Crocodile 2" (1990) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films. The supplemental features on the disc include original trailer for the film; deleted scenes; and new program with the director. In English or Italian, with optional English and English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Alligators can continue growing their entire lives. Incredible, isn’t it? But how fast do they grow? If you watch Giannetto De Rossi’s Killer Crocodile 2 you will get the impression that a baby alligator can become a full-size alligator in a few months, which of course is baloney. Alligators can grow very fast, but it will take years for them to become as big as the monster that you will see in this film. (I know it is a rubber toy. Plus, the Stokes Alligator was only a little over 15 feet long, so monsters like the one from the film simply do not exist). Why do I mention this? Because right from the get-go the film makes it crystal-clear that its creator does not know much, or anything at all, about alligators, which should be a warning sign to anyone hoping that it could offer better entertainment than the film that inspired it.

The plot is predictably silly. New York-based investigative journalist Liza (Debra Karr) is dispatched to an unnamed exotic land to confirm the validity of reports that toxic radioactive materials are being dumped in an area that is soon to be transformed by a wealthy developer. Shortly after Liza and a local guide enter the swamps, however, they are attacked by a giant crocodile. Their boat is destroyed and the guide dies, but Liza miraculously survives and then hides in the jungle. When news about Liza’s disappearance reaches New York, her boss hires swamp specialist Kevin (Anthony Crenna) to find and bring her back. Kevin then quickly hooks up with old pal and veteran crocodile hunter Joe (Ennio Girolami), who is skeptical that another monster like the one they killed together might be on the loose.

Fabrizio De Angelis’ touch is instantly recognizable and this is most certainly not a good thing because the main flaws of the original film are essentially transferred to the sequel. De Angelis apparently scripted the film with Dardano Sacchetti, but considering the fact that he also served as a producer it is easy to guess that he had the final say on just about everything that mattered, from the nature of the dialog to the quality of the special effects. While behind the camera, De Rossi was almost certainly following his directions as well.

The film fails primarily because of its inability to produce any meaningful material between the action sequences. Once Liza is sent on her mission the conversations that emerge between the main characters become pointless chatter, and the longer the camera stays with them, the easier it becomes to see that it is so. Needless to say, the chemistry between the same characters is again very problematic, so enduring them while they recite their lines really is something of a test.

What about the quality of the action? A few of the special effects are actually better, but you should not expect to be impressed because it is also easy to tell that the sequel was done with an even smaller budget than the first film. This becomes particularly obvious in the second half where the film keeps revisiting the same locations while the new killer alligator keeps using the same old tricks to crush its targets.

Maestro Riz Ortolani again produced the soundtrack for the film, but this time the music is unremarkable and at times actually borderline amateurish. Simple harmonies are repeated over and over again and instead of adding flavor to the action feel completely out of sync with it.

*According to old reports, Killer Crocodile and Killer Crocodile 2 were shot at the same time. The sequel was released theatrically approximately an year after the first film.

Killer Crocodile 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Killer Crocodile 2 arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.

The release is sourced from a very nice recent 2K master. I assume that it was prepared at the same time and by the same people that produced the 2K master for the first Killer Crocodile film because it has identical strong organic qualities. What makes this master different is the fact that it is even healthier, though I should make it clear that there are still a few tiny marks and blemishes. (The noticeable vertical/diagonal lines that are present on the other master, however, are nowhere to be seen). Delineation, clarity, and depth range from very good to excellent. On a larger screen, the density levels and fluidity of the visuals look impressive as well. However, the film was shot with a small budget and there are certain areas where native fluctuations could flatten the image a bit. The color grading job is excellent. The primaries are stable and natural, while the supporting nuances look healthy and nicely balanced. There are no traces of problematic digital adjustments. Image stability is very good. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Killer Crocodile 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 and Italian LPCM 2.0. Optional English and English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the entire film with the original English track. As usual, there is a lot of overdubbing on it, so expect to hear some unevenness and even a few unusual dynamic drops. What I was surprised to hear was the sporadic flatness that emerges in certain areas of the film. The effect is strange and it almost seems like it is the product of some sort of frequency clipping. But I am unsure because like most modest Italian genre productions Killer Crocodile was likely mixed on a budget and very quickly. In other words, these could very well be a native limitation.

Killer Crocodile 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - vintage trailer for Killer Crocodile 2. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).

• Deleted Scenes - two deleted scenes for Killer Crocodile 2. Restored In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).

• Interview with Giannetto De Rossi - in this new video program, Giannetto De Rossi discusses his career in the Italian film industry as well as some of the main films that defined it. There are also some very interesting comments from stuntmen and actors Massimo Vanni and Ottaviano Dell'acqua. In Italian, with English subtitles. (40 min).

• Cover - reversible cover work.

Killer Crocodile 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you enjoyed the first Killer Crocodile film there is a decent chance that you will have a good time with the sequel as well. I say 'decent' because the sequel is very clearly the cheaper of the two, plus I think that it was rushed, though a number of the special effects in it are actually better. This release from 88 Films is sourced from a terrific recent 2K master and features very interesting and informative program with Giannetto De Rossi. RECOMMENDED only to the fans.