Lake Placid 2 (Flores, 2007) – Movie Review

Lake Placid 2 is the first direct to television sequel of the cult classic Lake Placid. With the film being a success plans were immediately put forward to continue the franchise. This led to multiple sequels and a crossover with the Anaconda series. But for now let’s take a deeper look at Lake Placid 2…

Details of Lake Placid 2

Distributor: Sci-Fi Channel
Production Companies: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Sci-Fi Pictures
Director:  David Flores

Producers: Jeffery Beach & Phillip Roth
Scriptwriters: Todd Hurvitz & Howie Miller
Main Cast: John Schneider, Sarah Lafleur, Sam McMurray, Chad Michael Collins, Alicia Ziegler, Joe Holt, Ian Reed Kesler, Justin Ulrich, & Chloris Leachman
Released: 28th April 2007

Running Time: 88 Minutes
Certificate: 15

Story of Lake Placid 2

The story of Lake Placid 2 takes place in Aroostook County, Maine. When two researchers exploring the lake get attacked by a monster sized crocodile. The survivor reports it to the local sheriff, James Riley. With him providing his partner’s body parts as evidence. The Sherriff, the researcher, and a wildlife officer, Emma Warner, set off onto the lake to look for more evidence. Eventually getting the help of hunting duo, Jack Struthers, and Ahmad.

Meanwhile James’ son Scott wanders into the woods and ends up meeting Kerri and her friends. Which when drinking at the lake end up getting attacked by a monster croc and find a crocodile nest filled with eggs. With a protective mother lingering nearby. The two groups end up working together to take out the crocodiles.

Analysis of Lake Placid 2

The Music

Accompanying the passable cinematography is the amazing music. It fits the scene every time and has excellent use of silence. The pairing of music to each scenes is perfect. With the tracks perfectly help set the mood/tone of the scene, and make the viewer go to the edge of their seat in anticipation.

The Crocodiles

The crocodiles are animated using CGI rather than a mix of practical and digital. Effects are better than most on the same budget around the time however hold nothing against the bigger blockbusters of the time. However, the use of practical effects when possible and showing the person getting dragged rather than bitten was a very clever way to ensure the film remains scary and under budget.

The Cast

Betty White sadly does not return as the “mother” of the giant crocs. With someone else brought in to play her sister. Smallville star John Schneider stars as the sheriff and gives a good performance. He shares a good chemistry with the leading actress- . However, the younger cast appear to old for the roles they are cast in and often find themselves being nothing short of cliché troupes such as Thad.

However, the sheriff’s son, Scott, and Kerri are the best of the younger cast members. But on a whole, the whole cast feels like a poor imitation of the first movie. With their being the same professions of the main characters being used for new main characters in the sequel makes the film feel like a poor imitation or mock film of its own predecessor sometimes.

Summary of Lake Placid 2

Lake Placid 2 shows some good practical effects and a good use of music, however it feels to much like a clone/parody of the first. I always loved the ingenuity of climbing a tree to escape the crocs and found Larry falling out of the tree on to a crocodile hilarious and scary all at the same time. Still if you want to watch a Lake Placid film, watch the initial outing.

Overall Rating: 5.5 – Above Average!

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