Simply Perfect

Powerful

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

After being exposed to toxic chemicals an alligator, residing in the sewage system of a nearby city, increases in size and begins to threaten the inhabitants who are unaware of its existence. To make matters worse one of the few people who becomes aware of this monster, "Detective David Hodges" (Joseph Bologna) cannot convince those in charge to take it seriously. He does, however, manage to get a couple of people to help most notably his wife, "Christine Hodges" (Dee Wallace) and a rookie cop named "Rich Harmon" (Woody Brown). Eventually, other important characters also become involved but their concerns aren't necessarily the same as his. At any rate, while the movie was okay for the most part I thought it happened to be missing one very important ingredient—suspense. As a result, while the actors performed well enough the overall impact of the movie was somewhat subdued and it never quite realized its full potential. What could have been a very good movie turned out to be slightly less than average. In short, I suppose it's worth a look for viewers who enjoy movies of this nature as long as they don't expect too much.

Alligator II: The Mutation is directed by Jon Hess and written by Curt Allen. It stars Joseph Bologna, Woody Brown, Harlan Arnold, Steve Railsback and Dee Wallace Stone. Music is by Jack K. Tillar and cinematography by Joseph Mangine. A loose sequel/remake to/of Alligator 1980, "The Mutation" in question is a giant Alligator that has mutated and goes on a hungry rampage in small town Americana.I should think that not many go into a film like this expecting a high quality creature feature, but this is not even in the so bad it's good camp. This in spite of some rather nice colour photography and the presence of decent performers like Bologna, Railsback and Wallace Stone. Standard cheapo thrills apply, ole Gator is the victim of mans dabbling with chemicals/testing et all, so after shredding some unfortunates in the water, Gator goes on land to upset amusement park dwellers. Enter the determined cop and some specialist game hunters, and we are building somewhat unimaginatively to a Jaws like finale. There's a snippet of social conscious in the plot, but it's quickly passed over for more rubbery nonsense. Not even fun nonsense, and worryingly I think that the well respected actors are taking it seriously! 2/10

Let me state right off the bat to all fans out there that I did not like the original 1980 film "Alligator." As a matter of fact, I did not like it at all. I rarely use this word beginning with an H, but I *hated* the first "Alligator." To some, it's a funny creature feature satire. To me, it was a total bore and that's too bad for me, because I love the creature feature genre and was really looking forward to that film, which has gone on to become sort of a cult classic.Anyway, enough about the first movie. If you want to know why I detested it, see my review for it. We're here to talk about its 1991 sequel unimaginatively titled "Alligator II: The Mutation." And it's even more unimaginative than its already unimaginative predecessor. It's an even more typical sewer alligator picture. Now keep in mind, I have not seen this movie in ages and I have no desire to see it again. What I do remember of "Alligator II" was that it was a complete bore with special effects that were barely more competent than the movie that preceded it by eleven years.The plot was something like "Jaws" set on a lakeside. There's a carnival going on by the shores of some urban body of water. A detective (Joseph Bologna) becomes convinced there's a killer alligator loose in the water, but a greedy businessman is determined to keep the attractions open nonetheless. Anyway, boaters and swimmers decide to go for a dip or ride in the water and are never seen again and then finally...I must stress the word "finally" because "Alligator II" is a really tough film to sit through. It's not particularly gruesome; it's just a complete bore partially because it's so predictable. What also gets a kick out of me is how people panic at this gator because it's moving so slowly through the water when pursuing them. When out of the water and lumbering around, it is more agile and quick. And to conclude just how tasteless and dull this movie is, I reflect upon its ending which is just another rip-off of the hair-raising climax of "Jaws" and just proves just how great that Steven Spielberg picture was.I thought the first "Alligator" was a very bad movie, but it does outshine its sequel.

Many of the B-movies I catch on Sci-Fi are usually quite entertaining but Alligator II was one of the worst. I was able to handle the hideous acting (especially the science lady), insults to humanity (token black police chief was worth a laugh out loud when he first appears), and plastic small then big then small then big alligator. However, I couldn't get past the scene where the sewer looked like the everglades. I kept thinking why is it night time in one scene and daytime in another, then it hit me that these idiots are supposed to be in a sewer. A sewer with reeds and tall grass like the swamp. The chanting and clapping from the crowd at the end was hilarious also! Before this, Octopus II was the only 1 out of 10 I'd given. Congrats Alligator II for making my 1 list!