“Crocodile” Dundee Trilogy
review by Bobby Blakey
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In 1986 Paul Hogan crashed into theaters and took the world by storm with “Crocodile” Dundee. The film became the most successful independent film of all time and spawned 2 sequels and a fun return to form in an epic commercial. More recently he returned in a fun take on his own career in the comedy The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee that poked fun at his career and his “Corcodile” Dundee persona. The trilogy not only Hogan, but Linda Kozlowski as Sue Charlton in all three films as well as Reginald Van Johnson, John Meillon, Charles S. Dutton, Stephen Root, Luis Guzman, Paul Rodriguez and more. Now Paramount is bringing the original trilogy home to Blu-ray for the first time.
“Crocodile” Dundee follows Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee who is a free spirited Australian that hunts crocodiles with his bare hands, stares down giant water buffaloes, and drinks mere mortals under the table. But he's about to face the ultimate torture test—a trip to New York City.
This first film was something special as it not only introduced us to Paul Hogan, but it was a massive success financially at the box office as well. The fish out of water aspect is what makes it work, because it plays it on both sides with Sue in the Outback and then Dundee in New York City. Despite the film being aged it still manages to hold up and entertain. This is all on the shoulders of Hogan who is just charismatic and someone you are just engaged with much like everyone that meets him in the film. It’s fun and maintains as a comedy classic that I am glad is getting some new love with this release.
In the 1988 sequel “Crocodile” Dundee II, Dundee and his girlfriend are targeted by a gang of ruthless drug dealers just as the eccentric Australian is starting to adjust to life in New York City. Dundee evens the odds by leading the big-city hoods into the treacherous Australian outback.
This next chapter offered up more of what made the first film so fun. The fish out of water element is ditched in relation to Dundee and Sue and instead played more on the bad guys. WE also get to get a bit more into an action side of the Dundee character that was only teased a bit in the first film. This is made all the more fun with it being in the Outback getting to see Dundee shine in his own environment.
Hogan dives right back into the role to perfection and keeps the laughs coming complete with some clever rehashed elements from the original along with plenty of new fun to be had. As this new film wraps up it serves as the perfect ending to the story of these two and their travels to and from the US and Australia. The film was a big hit, but still not as big as the original. With box office success that typically means a return to the franchise to see what else the can get out of it.
In the 2001 final outing of the series, “Crocodile” Dundee in Los Angeles follows Australian Outback adventurer Mick "Crocodile" Dundee who travels to Los Angeles with his young son while his longtime companion suspects foul play at a movie studio.
I haven’t revisited this entry in years and remember not being a big fan. It’s the type of sequel that wasn’t really necessary, but despite Hogan reportedly being done with the character after the sequel came up with an idea that got him back in the hat again. After rewatching I must say while it is still the weakest of the franchise it is pretty fun. The reason these films work is Paul Hogan and while he is a bit more evolved this time around he is still that same Mick Dundee.
The story works well enough stepping into Hollywood that brings a new fun element for Mick to play in. There are also some fun cameos with Mike Tyson having a simple one that plays up their names and some meditating. I love these movies and happy revisiting this one to see that it might not have been needed or live up to the strength of the first two, but still entertains and reminds me I miss Paul Hogan.
In addition to the films this release includes all the previous released bonus content from previous releases. Find out what a real knife is and grab your copy of the “Crocodile” Dundee Trilogy when it hits Blu-ray for the first time on September 21st from Paramount Home Entertainment.
For all those Paul Hogan and Dundee fans check out our review for The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee here.