Alligator 2

 

I legit last time watched this in the early 90s on the *then* Sci-Fi Channel. Watching this tonight -- my daughter and I had an absolute blast watching the first film last night -- it was nowhere near as bad as I thought I remembered. Not that I necessarily hated it as a teenager -- it is a killer gator movie with Richard Lynch as a great hunter after all -- but it just wasn't the first film. That critique isn't something I apply much anymore. I try to judge every sequel by its own merits. Bologna as the popular cop with a Hispanic district being gentrified by scummy real estate tycoon, Railsback, was a lot of fun to me in a rare lead role, with Woody Brown as his sidekick rookie partner. I just wish Dee Wallace had a more sizeable role as Bologna's scientist wife, while pretty Gagnier has a spunky little supporting role as the mayor's daughter wanting to put a stop to Railsback's political pressures on her father (Daily; The Bob Newhart Show). It was great to see Brock Peters as the police chief trying to corral Bologna unsuccessfully while under stress because a giant gator was eating locals in his city.

Railsback just killing those of authority who could stop him was ridiculous, but it was all to make him as detestable as possible. Once again ole reliable "Jaws" is plucked for the film's big carnival scene where the cop tries and fails to keep folks away from an event due to the mayor (replacing 4th of July), while Lynch is the Quint of the film as a Cajun big game hunter (Kane Hodder is his brother, along with a posse of hunters serving as gator meat).

There just isn't that big gator kill in the film besides Lynch giving it a good fight while stabbing it and a bunch of tail whips knocking down locals at the "real estate carnival". I wish the carnival had a lot more carnage, but by 1991, horror movies endured major MPAA setbacks in the gore department. This also really has that made-for-video 1990s look. Once again, the tried and true "chemicals dump in the sewers" formula causes the monster mutation. The giant alligator budget was clearly limited, but at least we were still a few years away from SYFY CGI monster mayhem. I guess I sighed a little because I wanted a bit more bodies being munched on in the gator's sharp-teeth mouth. I really wished Railsback's fate was a bit more nasty since he was such a piece of work.