Black Water (2007) Horror Crocodile

Black Water (2007) - This is inspired by true event about three vacationers who get trapped in a mangrove forest in Northern Australia after a crocodile capsizes their boat and eats their guide. This is also the exact kind of story that will keep me out of boats anywhere near Alligator and particularly Crocodile habitats. It is a terrifying tale of things going horribly wrong and then getting worse. Any time I imagine being in the environment where man is not the top of the food chain is horrific and this film has that through and through. Adam (Andy Rodoreda) and Grace (Diana Glenn) are traveling on holiday with Grace's sister Lee (Maeve Dermody) and decide to stop at a local (N. Australian) expedition company. They plan to spend a day fishing and trolling about the mangrove forests and rivers. When they arrive they have missed the trip by five minutes. Jim (Ben Oxenbould) who is manning the docks offers to take them out in a smaller boat and they agree.  So the four load up the gear and head out into a vast watery wilderness. Writers / Directors David Nerlich and Andrew Traucki (The Reef 2010, ABCs of Death 2012) working with a small budget manage to make a very compelling story into an entertaining and tense thriller. Early on they pull off a classic bit of redirection where something bumps the boat making every nervous. Jim leans over the side creating tension so palpable it tightened my stomach. You know this is Australia and the entire country is looking for ways to kill you. Well at least that is the impression I have. After a few tense minute he pulls a floating can out of the water and everyone has a short laugh. It's a classic!
  The film really starts after that when a crocodile not only whacks the boat but flips it over. It takes the guide Jim and drags him under while Adam and Grace swim for the nearest tree. Lee having surfaced under the capsized boat struggles to get on top of it while the crocodile circles back looking for more prey. What is so terrifying as a viewer is the film maker are using real crocodiles. Of course the actors were never in the water with the crocs the film makers used compositing to create the effect. Still the effect is wonderful and no CGI animal can be as threatening as the real thing. The responses by the small group of actors are incredibly believable. Now trapped the crocodile begins banging the boat trying to dislodge Lee. These swamps are muddy and when the creature goes under the water it is impossible to see. So when it seems to have given up the group still can't be sure. How does the group get out of this situation? The boat seems the most likely way so Lee has to reach into the water for the rope so she can throw it to Adam. Each time someone has to hover over the water or worse get in it so tension filled. If you are at all paying attention to the film you feel it deep in your gut.
  Now some people might find this film too simple and lose interest because the scope of the film is three people in a tree trying to figure out how to get to safety without getting eaten. It is a situation where they are in a bad situation and all there limited options are also bad. The film makers do a lot with that and I found the film fascinating. The interpersonal trauma alone is heart wrenching. I don't want to spoil this film because it is definitely a recommend. I will say though that there is a build up and some really heart pounding action before all is said and done. The acting is great and the reactions seem very honest. The crocodile is absolutely terrifying as crocodiles always are. This film pulled such basic, primordial, Darwinian fear from me, I can't really describe it, other than to say its a primal fear. Thousands of years of caution for these creatures passed through generations of DNA warning  of DANGER!  This film is showing something that has happened. That could happen to you if you venture into croc territory.  In Australia crocodile attacks are not uncommon. It is a testament to the film that it captures that allowing the viewer to share it from the safety of the sofa.