This is one of those classic movies that stations like WGN and TBS feel
compelled to play over and over. Who can resist the endearing smile and
inherent charm of Paul Hogan as Mick Dundee, the king of the Australian
outback? Certainly not Sue (Linda Kozlowski), a reporter who flies to
Australia to investigate this man who she has heard is like a Tarzan of
the Bush. It turns out that Dundee has a few tricks up his sleeve, and
he's not quite as primitive as Sue thinks he is. Still, he certainly
knows his way around the bush, and when Sue foolishly decides to have a
go at trekking the outback alone, Mick swoops in to save her from death
by croc.
Mick is a fascinating character from the start, and
Sue is sufficiently intrigued to bring him home to New York with her and
see how he copes with the big city. He is as out of place in the
bustling Big Apple and Sue was in Australia, but no one seems to mind.
The naive visitor is an instant hit with everyone, and it's no wonder
why. As he walks down the streets of New York, he stops to wish good day
to everyone he sees. He's surrounded by strangers, and he seems to want
to introduce himself to each and every one.
Most of the
movie's funniest moments originate from the clash of the two cultures.
Mick is befuddled by the bidet in his bathroom, convinced that his
African-American chaffeur is an aborigine, and offended when a pimp uses
"bad language in front of the ladies" he is talking with, who happen to
be prostitutes. All decked out in crocodile leather and carrying a
knife that's practically a machete, Mick is rather conspicuous. But his
homegrown knowledge serves him well even in urban America, and this
strine-speaking stranger wins the hearts of hundreds of New Yorkers,
including Sue, whose obnoxious boyfriend is just itching to marry her.
Every scene with Mick is full of surprises. Bringing attack dogs into
submission with just a stern glance. Making "herbal tea" out of cocaine
to help a coke-sniffer "clear up his sinuses". Responding to a mugger
with a knife by pulling his own much larger knife out and slicing
through his jacket. Climbing up a lamp post to get out of the steady
stream of pedestrian traffic. You never know what to expect next with
this guy, and he makes this movie a delight from beginning to end. Check
out this movie and meet the original crocodile hunter.
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