Nature gone a muck has always been the stuff of horror makings. Radio active insects, mutated houseplants, alien infected live stock, or the ever popular reptile tossed down the toilet bowl were Saturday matinee gold causing fun to be had by one and all. 1999's 'Lake Placid' is really no exception to this rule.
Sheriff Hank Keough (Brendan Gleeson) is a Twinkie eating good old boy Sheriff watching over a sleepy Maine town when all hell breaks loose. Reminiscent of 'Jaws' with its first victim torn asunder extremeness we are hooked from the beginning moments of this gory/funny little film. Finding the lake not safe for the locals the big city experts come a calling. Enter Fish and Game officer Jack Wells (Bill Pullman), paleontologist Kelly Scott (Bridget Fonda), and professor Hector Cyr (Oliver Platt) and the search for who knows what begins. A few chomped body parts later, and a 30 plus foot crocodile becomes public enemy number one.
This really is a fun movie. Filled with enough cornball slapstick to take ones mind off life's stress filled reality while giving scare lovers a couple of tense moments to enjoy. Betty White is a hoot as crazy local Delores Bickerman who has more than a few skeletons in the closet. The cast works well off each other in a wink and a nod sort of way, and its enjoyable to take a look at this film some fifteen years removed from its theatrical debut.
Scream Factory has given us one beautiful image with its 1080p High-Definition widescreen. The Audio 5.1is also very good. For added enjoyment this Blu-ray package includes new interviews with director Steve Miner, actor Bill Pullman, and director of photography Daryn Okada. There are also new interviews with the special effects team, a vintage featurette, and the typical TV spots and trailers. The movie really does look quite nice with its underwater lake scenes and wooded campy goodness.
Writer David E. Kelly of Ally McBeal fame delivered a silly trip down horror host nostalgia lane that everyone can enjoy. If Moe, Larry, and Curly decided that their Three Stooges hearts longed for the great outdoors it would be on 'Lake Placid' that a hiking they would go. Now that's enough recommendation for anyone!
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