I forgot how laugh-out-loud funny this movie was. I haven’t watched it since it came out, and boy, I just dove right into it. My only note is that I could have used about fifteen minutes more. The cast and their banter are hilarious.

You’ve got Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt, Brendan Gleeson, Betty White and Adam Arkin. They all snipe at each other, there are fantastic quips, and they also have to deal with a giant crocodile that has taken up residence in a lake in Maine.

Fonda is Kelly Scott, a paleontologist sent from a local museum, because her boss (Arkin) just broke up with her, to investigate a giant tooth. But it’s not a fossil. It’s from a living animal. She clashes with a ranger, Jack Wells (Pullman) who is leading the investigation with a local sheriff, Hank Keough (Gleeson), and a crocodile ‘expert’/hunter, Hector Cyr (Platt).

None of them get along, but, of course, there’s a spark between Scott and Wells. And they’ll have to find a way to stop the crocodile, who is not only munching on the local wildlife, but the town inhabitants as well.

The crocodile visual effects aren’t great, but they also keep its screentime to a minimum. And honestly, it works, it works hilariously. It’s funny, bloody, and I can’t believe I haven’t watched this since it came out. The practical effects, however, are pretty solid, and look great, especially when it shows up during Hector’s swim, and at moments during the climax.

For the most part, the film employs the Jaws method of not showing the monster, so that when the croc does surface, right there in front of Platt’s character, it’s a well-earned ‘oh shit’ moment. In fact, the film is filled with moments like that, whether leaning towards the horrific or comedic. And it knows how to work that balance to great effect.

It’s a creature feature, it’s goofy as hell, and it plays great. And Betty White is comedy gold in this thing, and that fun ending, which sets up possible sequels (none of which, official or not, were half as enjoyable).

Watching Fonda, Pullman, Platt and Gleeson play together is so enjoyable. Platt leans into being a crass, sex-hungry character while Gleeson and Pullman are delightfully sarcastic, and Fonda is whip-smart, cute as hell, and hates mosquitos.

The casting in this movie elevates what would be simple b-movie creature feature fare into something truly enjoyable. This is a hoot, and I can’t believe I haven’t watched it in decades. Don’t make the same mistake.