The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course film review

certificate_PG

THE CROCODILE HUNTER: COLLISION COURSE

Before we go any further, a word of warning: if you're squeamish about snakes and spiders, then look away now. The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course has them in abundance, and not the computer-generated kind either.

The film is positively crawling with real-life, highly venomous critters, guaranteed to have you jumping out of your seat, and rushing for the loos in search of valium. Leave your phobias and your brain at the door.

John Stainton's light-hearted romp through the Outback is a showcase for Australian daredevil Steve Irwin, the khaki-clad conservationist who happily wrestles with crocodiles, and seems to utter the word "Crikey!" every five minutes or so.

Don't worry too much about the plot - the screenwriters certainly haven't.

Steve and wife Terri are called in to relocate a large male crocodile, which is proving a nuisance for rancher Brozzie Drewett (Magda Szubanski). Having successfully captured the animal, Steve and Terri head off down stream to an area of water where the crocodile can live in peace.

Unfortunately, the Irwins do not know that the rescued crocodile has swallowed a beacon from a top secret US satellite experiment, which crashed to Earth a few days earlier.

The CIA despatches two top agents - Bob Wheeler (Lachy Hulme) and Vaughn Archer (Kenneth Ransom) - to Queensland to retrieve the beacon.

The operatives pose as poachers, and quickly track down Steve and Terri, who refuse to give up the animal without a fight.

Meanwhile, rival CIA operative Jo Buckley (Kate Beahan) is also on the crocodile's trail...

Cue lots of comedy moments involving bird-eating spiders and slithering reptiles, interspersed with Steve's effervescent commentary.

The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course sandwiches Steve's trademark antics in an intentionally ludicrous chase plot.

The gregarious leading man has charisma and good humour in abundance, and his attempts to be at one with nature are both fascinating and fraught with danger.

Kids will love the slapstick elements, and adults will appreciate the strong conservationist message, which Steve peddles at every opportunity.

Save the world, and buy a large popcorn while you're at it.