The swift triumph of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws triggered a flood of subpar monster movies, each trying to emulate its success. For every movie like Piranha that hit the screens, we were subjected to films such as Cruel Jaws, Grizzly, Orca, and The Last Shark. While there have been numerous entertaining monster movies since the 1975 debut of Jaws, none have quite matched the brilliance of one “giant animal rampage” film. It’s not Piranha that stands out as the finest imitation of Jaws, but rather Lewis Teague’s Alligator. If we can consider Tremors as one of these films (which seems debatable), it would be equally deserving of the title.
As a fervent admirer, I find an intriguing link between “Tremors” and “Alligator”. That bond is intelligence, a quality that shines through in both films. The genius lies in their exceptional screenplays and the remarkable skill they demonstrate in navigating diverse genres with an apparent grace and ease.
What Makes Alligator the Best Jaws ripoff?
The idea of an alligator growing to colossal proportions, or even just reaching its full maturity, in a sewer is a ludicrous and preposterous notion, isn’t it? Yet, the movie Alligator manages to pull it off. From the start, it establishes a sense of realistic gravitas without succumbing to the overly dramatic tone that many other creature-themed films have fallen into. How does it do this?
It’s crucial to understand how the alligator ends up in the sewer. The movie begins with a family of three visiting an alligator farm. They watch an alligator wrestling performance, but it takes a turn for the worse when the human wrestler is injured. Despite this, the daughter remains determined to have a small baby alligator as a pet. Her parents eventually give in and purchase her an aquarium, until one day, in a fit of anger while allegedly drunk, the father impulsively flushes the tiny reptile down the toilet. You can’t help but empathize not only with the little girl but also the adorable reptile, as there seems to be a connection between them.
Initially, “Alligator” doesn’t delve into its rampage scenes immediately; instead, it focuses on Detective David Madison’s storyline. Similar to other weary detectives in films, he’s nearing cynicism’s brink, but the powerful script and Robert Forster’s compelling portrayal (from “Jackie Brown”) create a character that viewers appreciate and support. The same sentiment applies to Robin Riker’s character, Dr. Marisa Kendall, who reappears from the opening scene. Their interactions are convincingly hostile at first, but when their relationship softens, it feels authentic as well.
A significant aspect of the film “Alligator” lies less in the alligator and more in Teague’s direction, particularly John Sayles’ script. Following his work on “Alligator,” Teague directed “Cujo” three years later, which, despite its flaws, was one of the better Stephen King adaptations from the ’80s. As for Sayles, he had already demonstrated skill in writing similar films like “Piranha.” However, in this project, he demonstrates a more powerful ability to transform unlikeable characters into relatable human beings.
Following a second collaboration with director Joe Dante on the film “The Howling”, Sayles solidified his reputation more as a director than a screenwriter, an achievement that is not common. Remarkably, his body of work as a director has consistently demonstrated his understanding of human nature, earning praise from critics for films like “The Brother from Another Planet”, “City of Hope”, “Eight Men Out”, “Passion Fish”, “Lone Star”, “Men with Guns”, and “Sunshine State”. His filmography boasts few disappointments.
However, Alligator doesn’t skimp on the thrilling monster movie experience for its audience. The strategic attack sequences scattered throughout the film cleverly reveal the creature in greater detail, much like Jaws. Moreover, it shares similarities with Jaws as it is a creature feature that isn’t shy about taking bold risks, such as the tragic demise of a child. A chilling scene involving a swimming pool and the senseless death of a blindfolded child at the jaws of an alligator serves as both a shocking moment and a testament to the film’s ability to intensify tension in scenes through careful build-up without over-elongating the action itself.
In the end, what you have here is a film where an alligator wreaks havoc at a wealthy businessman’s extravagant wedding reception – this guy being involved in illicit animal research. This horror flick is definitely worth watching due to its thrilling factor. Moreover, the scene where the alligator rampages serves as a stark reminder of the businessman’s self-centeredness, even towards his closest associate when a 36-foot gator is charging their way.
Alligator is streaming on Shudder, Prime Video, Peacock, and Tubi.
Read More
- ZK PREDICTION. ZK cryptocurrency
- ONT PREDICTION. ONT cryptocurrency
- INJ PREDICTION. INJ cryptocurrency
- NYM PREDICTION. NYM cryptocurrency
- HBAR PREDICTION. HBAR cryptocurrency
- Invincible Season 4: What We Know About Release Date and Plot Speculation!
- TRB PREDICTION. TRB cryptocurrency
- COW PREDICTION. COW cryptocurrency
- EUR INR PREDICTION
- DGB PREDICTION. DGB cryptocurrency
2025-03-11 22:48