Although the premise may sound like a recipe for cinematic cheese, Rogue accomplishes what Jaws did over thirty years ago, all the while enveloping audiences with striking scenery. Rogue combines the beautiful landscape of the Australian outback with its naturally dangerous inhabitants; it simultaneously combines the psychological fear of isolation and the unknown with the very physical and immediate fear of death.
An Outback Boat Tour Turns Ugly
American travel journalist Pete McKell (played by Alias star Michael Vartan) finds himself on assignment in Australia. As soon as he arrives, he decides to join a boat tour of Kakadu National Park, famous for its Saltwater Crocodiles. Pete’s eye is instantly caught by the tour’s quick-witted, no-nonsense guide, Kate (Radha Mitchell), though the feeling is not initially mutual.
When the tour group reaches the end of their circuit, they notice an emergency flare being shot through the air a few miles further down the river, through sacred land. Things take a significant turn for the worse when the decision is made to follow the flare – the team soon enters the territory of a giant, man-eating crocodile.
Genuine Suspense Keeps the Audience Watching
Rogue is one of the better-made “monster” movies to be released recently. Rather than rely on scary effects or make-up to create fear, writer/director Glen McLean feeds off the audience’s natural reactions to suspense and fear. Like any great monster movie, the audience doesn’t see much of the monster – instead, you are left to wonder whether it’s there, to cringe every time anyone goes near the shore.
The scariest parts of the film are, in fact, the moments during which you cannot see the giant crocodile, but think he may be lurking in the depths of the dark water. The tour group ends up deserted on a tiny island in the middle of the river, which they are soon told will not exist once the tide rises at night. As the water inches closer and closer, and the sunlight dissipates, they are left to find their way across the water to sturdy land.
Overall, Rogue is worth watching for any monster movie fan. While it does certainly have its share of minor plot holes – Pete loses his luggage, which is made an issue but has no impact on the story; Kate and Neil (Sam Worthington) have matching tattoos and an obvious history that is never touched upon – the movie’s intense, suspenseful impact still come across and provides a thrill ride for the audience. It's the kind of film that makes you realize at the end that you've been clenching your jaw the entire time.
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