Director Greg Mclean could by no means escape the shadow of Mick Taylor.

He’s the Aussie killing machine on the coronary heart of Mclean’s “Wolf Creek” franchise, memorably performed by John Jarratt. The primary “Wolf Creek” (2005) delivered on the field workplace, however the grisly shocker additionally drew this withering remark from critic Roger Ebert.

There’s a line and this film crosses it. I don’t know the place the road is, but it surely’s method north of “Wolf Creek.”

Can’t please everybody, proper?

Mclean’s subsequent thriller bought far much less consideration, and that’s a disgrace. His 2007 croc thriller “Rogue” delivered extra typical thrills with stars who bought busier after the movie wrapped.

Radha Mitchell (“Run Hide Fight,” “Silent Hill”) stars as Kate, an Australian information steering a ship filled with vacationers down the river. Her visitors, cameras in hand, need nothing greater than some beautiful surroundings and, at worst, a sunburn flecked with bug bites.

As a substitute, they run head-first into an outsized crocodile delivered with a neat mix of sensible results and CGI.

Co-star Michael Vartan, greatest recognized for ABC’s “Alias,” performs an American journalist who groups with Kate to maintain as many vacationers alive as doable.

Good luck.

The remainder of the solid serve up memorable turns, a bonus for any horror effort.

A pre-“Avatar” Sam Worthington has a small however pivotal position as Kate’s ex and a first-class jerk, whereas a younger Mia Wasikowska will get an early display screen credit score as one of many youngest vacationers.

Mclean says “Rogue” was the primary screenplay he ever wrote, but it surely took years to get all the small print excellent for the manufacturing. He was provided the possibility to direct “Wolf Creek 2” instantly after the primary movie’s success, however he selected to decide to his “dream project” as an alternative.

Sadly, the movie bought a microscopic theatrical launch stateside however went on to earn cult standing years later.

Mclean later recalled the difficult shoot, which included brutal warmth and a few real-life crocs ready for his or her closeup (and a doable snack).

“… the real crocs were everywhere. We had a couple of rangers with guns who were basically hired to protect people from getting killed. It adds an edge to the shooting when you’re looking over and there’s literally three or four crocs just staring at your boat waiting for someone to fall off.”

31 Days of Horror

Day 1: “Splinter“