Let's get the obvious comparison out of the way: _Jaws_. How does the stack up to the grandaddy of well-made monster movies? It's pretty damn good.
_Lake Placid_ could easily become a B-movie, and rely on so-bad-it's-good moments or it could go full-force gorefest, but what makes this movie memorable is that it takes itself seriously. Is there comedy? Yes, but it's all very natural, makes sense for the characters, and is usually offering insight to what is happening within the story. Is there gore? Oh, yes, but it's never as intense as it would be if that was the goal here.
Where this differs from _Jaws_ is there we got a horror movie with moments of adventure, and a family drama; here we get light comedy, and a sprinkle of romance. Again, all of this is very natural and plays out nicely.
On to the cast: Pullman, Fonda, Platt, and Gleeson all work perfectly off each other. They all understood what they were making here: there is no overacting, there is no tongue in cheek. They're playing this straight, like they wanted to make a great movie, and they did.
Betty White is who I really remembered after my first viewing, but she's barely in it. Just speaks to how well she did. There are no small parts, only small actors. RIP, madam.
Obviously, the real star here is our killer croc. So, how is he? Pretty good. He's a mix of CG, and animatronics. For this being the late '90s, I'd say the effects hold up.
Not a perfect film, but it's really good. If you like creature features, this is a must watch. If you just want a light horror movie with good humor, this is the one.

Post script: A cow is suspended in one sequence. Although, I'm sure she was safe - likely attached to a crane, and not a helicopter, like in the movie reality - it still doesn't set well with me. If there is any positive takeaway, it's that we've made some progress of how animals are treated when it comes to entertainment. Animals are here with us, not for us.

**Lake Placid swam so Sharknado could fly!**

Billing Lake Placid as a horror movie could not be more misleading. This movie is a goofy creature feature with hardly a scary moment. Instead, all the tension and fear are played up for hilarity and entertainment. I remember watching this as a young kid and laughing the entire time. Lake Placid is a delightful action comedy with a solid cast for being such a low-budget film. Lake Placid is an excellent entry in a long line of stupid creature films that are pure enjoyment if you disconnect your brain, grab some popcorn, and get ready to have fun. If you enjoy a ridiculous shark movie, you will love Lake Placid.

Lake Placid, a 1999 monster horror movie about killer crocs, no Batman. And yuhhhh Lone Starr is here from Spaceballs! First off is why they make Kelly out to be some "yankee girl" or whatever, seems so forced. And second did Hector just say the female office had a nice pair of boobs?? I feel like that's dangerous game he's playing she has handcuffs and a gun!

Hell yeah! Crocodile vs. Bear! And Betty White is great in this, I love her RIP. The cinematography is a little below average I think. And overall the movie is average, I like that they picked crocodile as the monster, it's usually sharks or snakes or something not real. And the story isn't boring or overused or anything.

It's the humour garnished all over Lake Placid that makes it more than an entertaining watch about crocodile terror. You know it's a spoof but you know there's danger out there too that the characters are going to fall into. Add to that the on-the-point performances and dialogue delivery by Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt, and Brendan Gleeson and the overall atmosphere of the film, and you have a terrific film to enjoy with friends and family. This is some great popcorn entertainment. **Grade B**.

Big Crocodile - Big Log - Big Fun.

There's a gigantic crocodile loose in the waters of Maine. A number of local hicks and big city eccentrics converge to try and stop the beast...

Wonderful! A modern day homage to the creature feature movies of lore. It's not a spoof, it's a fun packed tongue in cheek thriller, hell it may even have some literary worth as regards ecological concerns, while the cultural clashes that thrive are written with knowing skill.

Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda and Brendan Gleeson are superbly underplaying things, but they all get usurped when at the 20 minute mark Oliver Platt flies in on his helicopter and promptly owns the film from that point on.

The script crackles with choice wit and sarcasm (the Gleeson/Platt on going feud an absolute joy), while Stan Winston provides beastly graphics that are blended with genuine suspense courtesy of director Steve Miner. Oh and Golden Girl Betty White turns in a support slot - the potty mouth!

Double it with something like Tremors, movies that know exactly what they want to homage. 8/10