Alligator Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A toilet-trained alligator grows enormous in the sewers by eating hormone-filled dogs, then crashes a wedding because catering is expensive.

🍿 Alligator: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Pet’s Unceremonious End

The film opens with a young girl named Marisa receiving a baby alligator as a pet. Soon after, her father, displeased, flushes the alligator down the toilet. This act sets in motion the creature’s journey into the city’s sewer system, an environment that will drastically alter its life.

Murky Depths and Monstrous Growth

Years later, the city is plagued by reports of missing persons and strange occurrences in the sewers. Detective David Madison, haunted by a past case, investigates. He soon discovers that the flushed alligator has grown to an enormous size, mutated by discarded laboratory waste. This discovery marks the beginning of a desperate hunt to stop the creature.

Rampage Above Ground

As the alligator’s presence becomes undeniable, it emerges from the sewers and begins terrorizing the city. The film shifts to a series of suspenseful and gory sequences as the creature attacks unsuspecting victims, highlighting the growing panic and chaos.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• David Madison (Robert Forster): A determined and world-weary detective seeking redemption by stopping the giant alligator terrorizing Chicago.
• Marisa Kendall (Robin Riker): A reptile expert and zoologist, formerly the little girl who owned Ramon, who assists Madison in tracking and understanding the alligator.
• Ramon (N/A): The giant alligator, grown to monstrous size due to consuming hormone-injected animal carcasses in the sewer, becoming a threat to the city.
• Chief Clark (Michael V. Gazzo): Madison’s skeptical and exasperated boss who initially doubts the existence of the giant alligator.
• Slade (Dean Jagger): The corrupt CEO of a pharmaceutical company whose illegal experiments contribute to the alligator’s unnatural growth, serving as a major antagonist.
• Col. Brock (Henry Silva): An overconfident and racist big-game hunter brought in to eliminate the alligator, representing misguided authority.
• Luke Gutchel (Sydney Lassick): The pet shop owner who rounds up stray puppies and sells them to the pharmaceutical company for their experiments.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• David Madison: “What the hell we looking for?” – David replies to Callan while navigating the sewer system, searching for the alligator with Marisa.
• Callan: “I see, like shoes, handbags, luggage…” – Callan sarcastically suggesting items they might find in the sewer as evidence of alligator nesting.
• Col. Brock: “I’m gonna go out there, find that alligator, and I’m gonna kick his…” – Col. Brock makes his intention know before hunting the alligator.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.5M
• Domestic Gross: $6.3M
• Worldwide Gross: $6.3M

💥 Alligator Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this late at night and being both scared and strangely amused. The alligator attacks are surprisingly effective, and the characters are just quirky enough to be memorable. The wedding scene is a classic, and Robert Forster’s performance adds a layer of grit to the whole thing. It’s not high art, but it’s a fun and entertaining creature feature that I still enjoy today. I felt that the movie would have been better if they used better special effects.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of creature features”
  • “Horror enthusiasts”
  • “B-movie aficionados”
  • “Those interested in urban legends”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Animal harm”
  • “Gore and violence”
  • “Thematic elements of environmental disaster”

Professional Reviews

• Time Magazine: “A sharply made and genuinely suspenseful horror film. ‘Alligator’ benefits from a witty script and surprisingly good special effects.
• Variety: “A clever and exciting monster movie that successfully blends suspense and humor. Robert Forster delivers a strong performance as the determined detective.
• Allmovie: “A well-crafted and entertaining creature feature with a tongue-in-cheek approach. ‘Alligator’ is a fun and memorable entry in the giant monster subgenre.

Audience Reactions

The sewer scenes are creepy and atmospheric.: Viewers loved the mix of horror and humor, finding the alligator attacks both scary and funny.

Robert Forster’s performance as the jaded cop is excellent.: Many viewers praised the practical effects, finding them more convincing than modern CGI.

Overall Consensus: A fun and entertaining creature feature that balances horror with humor, making it a memorable entry in the giant monster subgenre.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The script was written by John Sayles, who also wrote the screenplays for ‘Piranha’ and ‘The Howling’.”
• “The film uses a combination of a real alligator in miniature sets and a full-scale mechanical alligator for close-up shots.”
• “Robert Forster improvised some jokes about his receding hairline, which were then incorporated into the script.”

🖥️ How to Watch Alligator?

Alligator (1980) is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local listings for streaming availability and rental options, as availability may vary by region. You can also find physical copies of the movie on Blu-ray and DVD through online retailers like Amazon and major retailers such as Walmart and Target.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Alligator, you might like these similar films:

• Piranha (1978): Another creature feature written by John Sayles, featuring a different aquatic menace.
• Cujo (1983): Directed by Lewis Teague, ‘Cujo’ presents a different kind of animal horror.
• Jaws (1975): The original summer blockbuster that inspired a wave of animal-attack movies.
• Lake Placid (1999): A more comedic take on the giant crocodile monster movie.

🛒 Alligator Related Products

• Alligator [Blu-ray]: High-definition transfer of the classic creature feature. Relive the scares with improved picture and sound quality.
• Alligator Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original ‘Alligator’ movie poster. Perfect for fans looking to decorate their home theater or office.
• Crocodile Plush Toy: A cute plush toy crocodile that will inspire love for reptiles in children.
• Alligator (1980) – Digital Soundtrack: Download the chilling original score from the movie ‘Alligator’. Relive the suspense and thrills through its iconic music.

🎧 Soundtrack

Alligator features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Craig Hundley
• “Sewer Search” – performed by Craig Hundley
• “Alligator Attack” – performed by Craig Hundley

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

oh u wanna touch my alligator? @clo #shorts

Ever wondered what it’s like to interact with an alligator? This short video gives you a glimpse, and honestly, it’s both fascinating and a little nerve-wracking! Is it worth it? Watch and decide.

Filet-O-Gator @ChefRush @GugaFoods

Would you ever try eating alligator? This video shows you how to make Filet-O-Gator with Chef Rush and GugaFoods. Surprisingly appetizing, but I’m still a bit hesitant to try it myself!

Heart-stopping moment swimmer faces race for his life as alligator closes in #Shorts

Want to see a real-life alligator encounter that’s absolutely terrifying? This video captures a swimmer’s close call with an alligator, and it’s intense! Makes you think twice about swimming in unfamiliar waters, doesn’t it?

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