Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002)

Starring: Steve Irwin, Terri Irwin
Director: John Stainton

Rating: PG

Studio: MGM

Review Posted: 7.19.01

Spoilers: Minor

Rating: 3/4 (B)

By Craig Younkin.

If nothing else, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course proves that there is nothing like a good Steve-o education. The Croc Hunter/genius Steve Irwin is like the death defying, energetic, passionate teacher you've always wanted. His goal here, and on his show on the Discovery Channel, is to preserve wildlife while also to teach about designated territories and what various (and venomous) spiders, lizards, snakes and whatever else can kill 100 men if they fool with them.

The main event though are the crocs, in which a whole strategy is set to capture and relocate them if they are ever brought under attack. This film makes a great documentary and gives you a huge amount of respect for Irwin, as he risks his own life in order to save others. His charisma shines brightly, and the calm, professional way he handles every situation makes him one of the summer's finest action heroes.

It's just too bad that there is another part to this film, where the story is dawdling, convoluted and asinine and the acting is bottom of the barrel. A satellite explodes in space, sending a crucial piece skyrocketing toward Earth, landing in the mouth of a croc. This is the same Croc that a crazed rancher (played to such unfunny lengths by Magda Szubanski) is trying to shoot, and that good-ole Steve-o and his wife Terri must save.

The U.S government sends two CIA agents to Australia to recover the missing piece, only when Steve sees them, he thinks there poachers and they think Steve is trying to use the piece for his own gain. The premise isn't even as funny as it sounds. Much of it is just purposeless until the very end.

It all doesn't matter though because the documentary part of this film is so much fun to watch that you keep forgetting this thing even has a story. The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course is a big thrill, as Steve weaves his way through one dangerous situation after another with a big smile on his face and and a huge amount of guts and courage. Did I mention his reflexes are also very good.

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