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'Crocodile' Dundee II (1988)

A review by Damian Cannon.
Copyright © Movie Reviews UK 1997
A laid-back sequel which reverses the original's storyline, 'Crocodile' Dundee II proves reasonably amusing if remarkably unchallenging. Following his earlier adventures, Mick "Crocodile" Dundee (Paul Hogan) is living in New York with journalist girlfriend Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski). In his own inimitable fashion, Mick's easy-going attitude has won him friends all over the city. By treating everyone with the same naive respect, Mick often finds himself mixed up in all sorts of city situations, only to bull his way through them (by applying bush knowledge). A surreal encounter with a "leaper" is just one example of how he helps people almost by chance.

However, Sue's ex-boyfriend Bob Tanner (Dennis Boutsikaris) is still chasing the best stories, this time focusing on drug king-pins in Columbia. When Tanner takes some red-hot pictures of an assassination, he mails them to Sue and waits for the undercover US narcotics agents (who fail to save him). So, unknown to Sue, her world is about to be turned upside-down by DEA officers and the henchmen of Rico (Hechter Ubarry), all after Tanner's precious film. This presents Mick with just the sort of challenge that he's equipped to deal with, though LeRoy Brown (Charles Dutton) provides some essential streetwise know-how. Thus the stage is set for a return to Oz, Mick's old stamping ground.

The essence of 'Crocodile' Dundee II is Paul Hogan; he is the core of the movie and its reason for existing. Fortunately, Hogan has a super-abundance of charisma and a natural manner which neatly combines action and humour. Thus Hogan can get away with throwing himself into some fine physical sequences while still passing sly asides on the city-bush culture clash (still looking far more normal than any of the Schwarzenegger clones). The plot which supports all of this is merely an aside, a device to allow Hogan free reign to strut his stuff on both sides of the planet.

As might be expected, the villains of 'Crocodile' Dundee II (whether drug fiends or manipulative cops) are stereotypes. Drawn as simply as possible, this is the economical way to go (since these roles are only in place to oppose Hogan). On the other hand, the good-guys are also one-dimensional (they all adore Mick's winning ways) but at least they get some good lines. Beyond this, the direction is mediocre, the pace relaxed and the photography pedestrian (there aren't even any sweeping shots of the vast Australian landscape). Simply, all that's available is the unforced comedy of the bushman and some very nicely conceived incidents (and bit parts). If you like Hogan, that's enough for an easy viewing experience.

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