Lake Placid - The script saves the day

Monster movies come and go and most are totally generic and even more forgettable.  They're all: big monster eats cast.  Roll credits.  And yet 'Lake Placid' is as much fun to watch today as it was back in 2000 when it was first released.  And, that is simply down to one thing: the script.  Oh, and the cast is actually pretty good, too - maybe I should have said its success is down to TWO things.

Again, monster-munching movies are well-known for having absolutely no recognisable actors, therefore leaving us viewers with no real connection with those we see disappearing down a mutated woodlouse's throat.  I won't call 'Lake Placid's' cast 'A-list,' but they're actually pretty recognisable.  We have Bill Pullman in the lead - he's been in loads of stuff (feel free to Google for exact examples), Bridget Fonda, who's quite famous and has been in a couple of successful films back in the nineties, Brendan Gleeson who you remember from... oh, that film where he pops up.  And Oliver Platt, who you also know from somewhere.  So, they're hardly The Avengers in terms of an ensemble cast, but, again I stress this is just a B-movie, so it's a reasonably respectable gathering.

Although, even if you haven't got a clue who any of those actors are, you should appreciate the script.  Again, it's hardly anything new in terms of monster movies.  You have an oversize crocodile who's found its way to Maine in the US and is now chomping its way through the local wildlife (including background extras and peripheral characters).

The script oozes self-knowingness and satarises itself. 'Lake Placid' knows it's a cheesy B-movie and never tries to be anything else.  It's packed with tonnes of 'jokes' which will make you laugh, most of which come from the banter and bickering between the main leads.  They may not be The Avengers in terms of 'star power,' but they have the bond which makes their combined interactions work perfectly.

There are a few deaths in the film and, yes, they are quite grisly, but at no time would I ever call this movie a 'horror.' It's too self-knowing and funny to be horror - more a 'black comedy' than anything else.  And, it's worth mentioning that the special effects are actually pretty good.  Yes, the croc isn't real and therefore is probably a mixture of practical effects and CGI, but it does work and you'll probably be having enough fun with the film not to care if occasionally the cow looks a little 'super-imposed' (you'll have to watch the film to see what I mean with that one!).

Like I say, if you're looking for a simple and fun monster film then this is the template others should use when considering the genre.  It's held up perfectly today in terms of entertainment factor and deserves its place as a 'cult classic' (just don't get me started on the numerous sequels that it spawned and I'm guessing some may take issue with how Bridget Fonda's female character is hardly as 'empowered' as we may be used to today).

9/10 almost as perfect as The Godfather