Lake Placid (1999)

A sheriff named Hank Keough (Brendon Gleeson) does some researching with his deputy named Stevens (Richard Leacock) in a lake called Lake Placid. While Stevens is scubbadiving under water he is suddenly and quickly chomped in half by an unknown creature.
They bring some reserachers and other deputies into the area to help to find out what caused his death and bring up the local Game Warden named Jack Wells (Bill Pullman) and he teams up with a paleontologist named Kelly Scott (Bridget Fonda) from New York to find the beast.
Then arrives an eccentric philanthropist with a penchant for "Crocs" named Hector Cyr (Oliver Platt) who tells them they are dealing with a crocodile but some of them find it very hard to believe it is due to certain weather conditions during the different seasons at the lake.
Hector tries to set booby traps for the croc but Hank ends up being trapped in them all the time. While they are researching again in the lake, another deputy's head is chomped off by this crocodile who is a close friend of Hank's.
Next, they dicover that a nutty widow named Delores Bickerman (Betty White) whom they have questioned her before has been feeding this croc with her cattle to keep it alive. The team tries to find some way to flush it out of the lake by keeping it alive and transferring it to another department of a lake in another country before it kills more people, and this time it would be including them!

We spot an impressive beginning with Sheriff Hank Keough in his fishing boat listening to the radio as well as his assistant scuba diving to search for something as well as later on something grabbing him and charging towards the boat in a Jaws type of fashion along with Hank trying to pull him up with a shocking result as this will please gorehounds big time. A great start for a horror film indeed.
We have some nice timing with Hank months later going to the same area where his assistant was killed to find clues as well as having Kelly Scott and Jack Wells joining him to do some research along with their arguing as it showed good by having different types of personalities along with Kelly being a pain in the neck too.
Nice funny moments when the gang talks to an elderly local Mrs. Delores Bickerman on situations as well as her discussing on killing her husband which catches you off guard by her reasons and other moments on this eccentric lady who seems to have an over the top personality as the humor works into the story pretty good as well as making this woman mysterious.
Also have good moments when some one is scuba diving in the water as well as on the lake with something bubbling which adds a good creepiness along with their boat being turned over adding more suspense to the story.
Nice discussions with everyone at night partying near their tents as well as Hector acting charming to one of the women there which was an attention grabber.
Perfect timing with a dispute between Hank and Hector as well as this sheirff sucker punching him offering humoress timing by what was said beforehand. Plus a nice suspenseful moment on a bear coming out ready to attack and then the crocodile coming out of the lake and dragging this grizzly beast in as it was impressive to watch all of this happening.
Many effective romantic discussions coming between Jack and Kelly in which this makes you think that this woman wasn't so bad after all and becoming totally likeable making the moments with this character looking quite clever.
Suspenseful moment on a boat when someone leans their body over and a fast attack happens with a gruesome result in which this was supposed to have made you jump but doesn't do the trick sadly.
Another memorable moment is we spot a corcodile waiting near a land of the lake and Hank uses binoculars to see on what's going on spotting the elderly woman Delores bringing her cow for this croc to feast away on which shows black comedy into the story as well as the mild horror too.
Perfect creepy and still moment with Hector in the lake and suddenly the croccdile creeps up on him and he is scared still with the two of them looking at one another straight in the eye as well as a great shot on how big this reptile is. Makes you shiver for sure wondering if this person will be next to be eaten alive.
Perfect moment on the crocodile trying to lunge for a helicopter flying away as this almost pays a tribute to Jaws 2. It was suspensefully well done.
Great action moments with someone using the helicopter and using a cow as bait to try and catch the crocodile as we watch carefully and some of the backfired plans which looked creepy as well as this crocodile trying to plunge through this helicopter which looked exciting to watch and effective.
Bottom line is that I very much enjoyed this film as it shows true talent into making a film with a good strong plot and not one of those typical type horror flicks that offers mainly killing to cover the storyline. This is packed with action and comedy as well making this film a major entertainment vehicle to watch as well. It's both witty, terrifying and adventurous all together. I advise horror fans to watch this piece if they haven't already as they has a terrific set to shoot this thing.

The acting is great and has an interesting cast of characters. Bill Pullman (Jack Wells) did a fine job playing the level headed one of the gang in which he was convincing as someone whom is intelligent on what he is doing. Was s olid performer by all that he does here. Also does a good job with his conversations which shines on nicely here.
Bridget Fonda (Kelly Scott) brought on a great hyped type of behavior and in the beginning of her performance she definetely proved as someone whom was annoying and not liked as well as getting in your face. Plus was believeable by being whiney and a perfect griper. She knew on how to make a change in that by acting charming and romantic in which she shows off a good heroic type when the action piles up and getting into it all marvellusly. She was a versatile character actress and a good one too.
Oliver Platt (Hector Cyr) was a natural ham in his part of the flick and came across as someone whom is somewhat an idiot in which he drives good energy within all of this. Plus shows off a good charming attitude towards one of the actresses in the film at a party. Also was on the alert a great deal when situations come up as well as acting like a jerk which he shows off well too. Reacts well scared stiff when in the lake facing the crocodile. Had one of the most effective roles in the film.
We have a great co-starring role by Brendon Gleeson (Sherrif Hank Keough) as the temperamental lawman whom is funny in his role when he loses his temper. He shows off a great seriousness in his role along with showing great energy and blocking in each scene. Also was effective taking a swing at someone which was right on target. Had the perfect looks and appeal for this role and found him to be the best of the cast.
There's also a hilarious supporting role by Betty White (Mrs. Delores Bickerman) as the nutty bubble-headed widow which should give you a few laughs if you enjoyed her work in shows before, since she usually played these types of roles. Shows off some good energy and came across as someone whom was a bit off and showing a nice eccentric type of attitude. She had a nice key role to the story.
Meredith Salenger (Deputy Sharon Gare) had a nice sharp attitude in her supporting role as someone of the law as well as really getting on a situation and showing a good seriousness and caring behavior too. Plus does well acting alert on a terrifying moment as she shows some decent energy into this.

A deputy is chomped in half which is very gruesome and graphic
A decapitated moose's head is found in a lake
A persons head rolls in towards the camp scene of the researchers.
We also get the croc quickly chomping off another deputy's head.

Excellent composing by John Ottman as he brings the suspense with his classical composing when it's necessary and making it sound very mainstream. His direction with musical backgrounds is guaranteed to make you jump at times. Alot of sudden loud trombone playing and heavy drum rolls too as this works all the time for suspenseful horror flicks. The music sounds superb piece by piece.

We have a three songtracks used in the film and one of them is a cover song of The Partridge Family's classic "I Think I Love You", played during the beginning of the movie when the sherrif and deputy are doing reserch work in the lake and the son is playing on their radio which the track was memorable to anyone who saw this flick.
Also there is a song entitled "It's Not Unusual" by Tom Jones and during the closing credits there's a reggae song performed by Bob Marley and the Wailers with their track "Is this Love".

Mrs. Bickerman: I'm rooting for the crocodile. I hope he swallows your friends whole.

[Upon finding a decaying toe]
Hector: Is this the man that was killed?
Sheriff Hank Keough: He seemed... taller.

Sheriff Hank Keough: Ma'am, your husband Bernie, you didn't by any chance lead him to the lake blindfolded?
Mrs. Bickerman: If I had a dick, this is where I'd tell you to suck it!

[to a game warden]
Hector Cyr: I'm a civilian, not a trout - you have no authority over me whatsoever.

Kelly Scott: The lake is so black and still.
Sheriff Hank Keough: Yeah, we wanted to call it Lake Placid, but we heard that name was already taken.

Jack Wells: It's not a science trip.
Kelly Scott: Could you be a little more condescending? 'Cause I'm not real great with subtlety.
Jack Wells: Something in that lake killed somebody, all right? I appreciate your trying to help. I'm really glad that you... brought the RAID.
Kelly Scott: There, that's better.
Jack Wells: Ma'am...
Kelly Scott: Look, if you call me "ma'am" one more time I'll sue you for sexual harrassment, and with today's laws, it's possible.
Sheriff Hank Keough: She's good.

Kelly Scott: You got to fire your big gun. Did it meet your expectations?
Sheriff Hank Keough: Overrated.

Kelly Scott: I don't do field and even if I did... Maine? I'm allergic to timber!

Sheriff Hank Keough: I... I... I never heard of a crocodile crossing an ocean.
Hector Cyr: Well, they conceal information like that in books.

Sheriff Hank Keough: Tents were sent ahead. Should already be set up by the time we get there.
Kelly Scott: Tents? We're staying in TENTS?
Sheriff Hank Keough: I told you, two days we'd have to camp.
Kelly Scott: Yes! Camp! But I thought that meant Ramada Inn. I never heard tents! Will there be toilets?
Jack Wells: Maybe we should just take you back.
Kelly Scott: Why? Because I prefer toilets?
Kelly Scott: Maybe I should just wipe myself with some leafy little piece of poison oak. And then I can spend the whole day scratchin' my ass, blendin' in with the natives.

Kelly Scott: Uh, there's something I wanted to ask you. What's it like to be a woman in the woods of Maine? I mean, the guys don't turn all horny or anything like they did in Deliverance, right?
[She sees Jack Wells is listening]
Kelly Scott: Ahh... I knew you were there.
Jack Wells: Hmm. Never been to Maine before, huh?
Kelly Scott: Oh, I have good hygiene, I'm not welcome.

Sheriff Hank Keough: Who are you?
Hector Cyr: Hector Cyr, I said it once, lemme know when it sinks in, OK?

Sheriff Hank Keough: Crocodiles can't swim in salt water.
Hector Cyr: Yeah, well, that'll be your little secret.

[Sheriff Keough finds two of his deputies digging a deep hole and gives them an icy stare]
1st Deputy: He paid us. Five hundred.
2nd Deputy: It's a trap.
Sheriff Hank Keough: You accepted money from him?
1st Deputy: We took a check.

[Hector Cyr is dancing with a female Deputy Sheriff]
Hector Cyr: Law enforcement is very dangerous work isn't it?
[She nods]
Hector Cyr: And you have such big, wonderful boobs.
Deputy Sharon Gare: Ha! Thank you!

[Hector Cyr is preparing to SCUBA dive to look for the crocodile]
Sheriff Hank Keough: I brought a pork chop for luck. Maybe you could hang it around your neck.
Hector Cyr: That's sweet. Maybe later you can chew the bark off my big fat log.

Mrs. Bickerman: Oh, my husband passed away. It's been almost two years now.
Sheriff Hank Keough: My department doesn't have any record of that, Mrs. Bickerman.
Mrs. Bickerman: Well, I'm sorry. Incomplete records haunt me so.
Jack Wells: What was the cause of your husband's death, ma'am? Do you know?
Kelly Scott: We don't mean to invade your privacy, but was he ill, was he sick?
Sheriff Hank Keough: Was he swallowed?

Sheriff Hank Keough: The tooth is in here.
Kelly Scott: Well that's... that's the morgue.
Sheriff Hank Keough: Yes.
Kelly Scott: Well, uh... is the dead guy in there?
Sheriff Hank Keough: That's where they keep 'em. Look, you want me to bring the tooth out here?
Kelly Scott: No. No, let's... after you.

Hector Cyr: I am a brown belt! Go ahead! Take your best shot! Take your best
[the sheriff punches him in the nose, knocks him flat]
Sheriff Hank Keough: He said he knew karate.
Jack Wells: You hit him.
Sheriff Hank Keough: I did, yeah.
Hector Cyr: Did he say "go"? Aren't you supposed to say "go" in karate? You're supposed to say "go"!

Sheriff Hank Keough: Look. He's suffering. I get to be humane.
[Aims grenade launcher]
Hector Cyr: No! No. No, no, no look, he's trapped. We've done it. So what it's not a net but, but, but he's trapped. Mission accomplished.
Jack Wells: Shoot him!
Hector Cyr: I've got more drugs. He's half dead.
Jack Wells: He's half alive! Shoot him!

Mrs. Bickerman: Murders and rapes in the city, people bomb planes, can the police stop 'em? No! But feed one little cow to a crocodile...
Sheriff Hank Keough: You're gonna stay right here until the police show. You're under full house arrest.
Mrs. Bickerman: Thank you, officer fuck-meat!

[the U.S. and Florida game officials finally show up]
Sheriff Hank Keough: We, uh, trapped him with our chopper.

Hector Cyr: He bit me! He bit me! There's two! There's two!
Sheriff Hank Keough: I can count.
[the second crocs rears up out of the water and the sheriff blows his head off with the grenade launcher]
Sheriff Hank Keough: Back to one.

Hector Cyr: What'd Bickerman say?
Jack Wells: Well, she didn't want to tell us about the second croc 'cause she was afraid we'd blow its head off.
Sheriff Hank Keough: Women's intuition.

[to the sheriff]
Hector: Sometimes when friends of the family say things, they tend not to sink in. So maybe it would help to hear it from a complete stranger. YOU'RE FAT.

Kelly Scott: His scales were oval. He's an Asian Crocodile.
Sheriff Hank Keough: Why... why would he come here? I mean, it's impossible. Asia. How would he get here?
Hector Cyr: Obviously some asshole in Hong Kong flushed him down the toilet.

Mrs. Bickerman: I'll sue you!
Jack Wells: Go ahead.
Mrs. Bickerman: You can't take a cow by eminent domain!
Sheriff Hank Keough: We just did.
Jack Wells: We won't let her get hurt, Ma'am.
Mrs. Bickerman: You're all cocksuckers! I knew it first, I just didn't want to say it!

Kelly Scott: What kind of backup do we have?
Sheriff Hank Keough: We?
Kelly Scott: What?
Sheriff Hank Keough: Well, I'm a little unclear as to why the museum would send somebody here.
Kelly Scott: You got a thing against museums?
Sheriff Hank Keough: Naw, I got nothin' against museums.
Kelly Scott: Ever been in one?

[Kelly slaps Keough]
Sheriff Hank Keough: Quit hitting me!
Kelly Scott: Stop throwing heads at me!

Sheriff Hank Keough: We're saved! The museum in New York just sent us some additional backup.
Kelly Scott: Kelly Scott.
Jack Wells: Jack Wells.
Kelly Scott: Hi.
Jack Wells: Eh, some museum sent ya', huh?
Kelly Scott: What, are we all museum bigots in Maine?
Sheriff Hank Keough: She's rude sarcastic. You two should get along.

Jack Wells: Do you know how your husband died?
Mrs. Bickerman: Oh yes! I killed him.
Jack Wells: You killed him?
Mrs. Bickerman: Oh yes!

Kelly Scott: I will NOT calm down! This is the second time I've been hit with a severed head and I DON'T LIKE IT!

Hector Cyr: Let's not overlook the fact that he didn't eat me.
Jack Wells: 'Cause he just ate a cow, stupid!

[In the progress of taming the crocodile instead of killing it]
Kelly Scott: We're doing the right thing.
Jack Wells: You wouldn't think so if you are eaten.

Hector Cyr: Did she tell you we had sex? So vigorous!
Kelly Scott: I *never* had sex with you!
Hector Cyr: Damn, I'm so terrible, they never remember.

Hector Cyr: You're supposed to say 'go' in karate. You face each other, you bow, and you say go!
Sheriff Hank Keough: Yeah, as in go fuck yourself!

Mrs. Bickerman: Is it illegal to wish the chewing of law enforcement?

Mrs. Bickerman: [slapping her cow to the crocodile] Come and get it.

Kelly Scott: You hurt his feelings.
Jack Wells: I don't care.
[to Keough]
Jack Wells: Do you care?
Sheriff Hank Keough: No, he's an asshole.

Sheriff Hank Keough: Oh God, we forgot to pack feminine napkins!