Aka: Primeval Kill
DVD review (region 1 & 2)
Directed by Michael Katleman
Starring Dominic Purcell, Brooke Langton, Orlando Jones, Jurgen Prochnow
Release date Out now (region 1); 3 March 2008 (region 2)

A 25-foot crocodile is terrorising war-torn Burundi. Named Gustave by locals, he’s said to have killed at least 300 people and consumed countless more from mass graves resulting from genocide. A US TV news crew is sent to investigate after a westerner becomes Gustave’s latest victim...

Not to be confused with the ITV dino-adventure series, this is instead an African-set horror-thriller. Michael Katleman’s film is inspired by a true story but doesn’t really know whether it wants to be a Blood Diamond-style political drama or a down-to-earth creature feature. It’s certainly not half as enjoyable as the daft Anaconda or its even barmier sequel.

The usual motley crew of Americans, including Prison Break’s Dominic Purcell and Evolution’s Orlando Jones, are supported by Jurgen Prochnow (Das Boot, The Keep) as a poacher plus a host of less recognisable names who become fodder both for Gustave and the corrupt gun-toting warlords who are also after them.

This inspires some deliberation about how the developed world ignores African genocide and whether monsters like Gustave are encouraged by human bloodshed. However, such earnestness seems ill-placed in what’s essentially a giant crocodile movie – and not a terribly gripping one at that.

DVD extras include the inevitable 10-minute ‘Crocumentary’ focusing on CGI effects, a few chopped scenes and a chatty director’s commentary. Ian Calcutt

VERDICT: 5/10
No more than an average B-movie dressed up with glossy production values and less-than-subtle moralising.

Click here for an interview with director Michael Katleman.