Lake Placid Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A paleontologist, a game warden, and a rich weirdo argue about whether or not to tranquilize a giant crocodile being secretly fed cows by Betty White.

🍿 Lake Placid: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Initial Attack and Investigation

In Black Lake, Maine, a diver is attacked and killed. Sheriff Hank Keough and Fish and Game officer Jack Wells begin an investigation. Paleontologist Kelly Scott from New York is brought in to examine a tooth found at the scene, leading them to suspect something much larger than a local animal is responsible.

Enter Hector Cyr

Wealthy mythology professor Hector Cyr arrives, claiming the creature is a giant crocodile. Initially met with skepticism, Hector’s knowledge and resources become invaluable. The group begins searching the lake, encountering further evidence of the creature’s size and appetite, including a severed head.

The Hunt Intensifies

As the body count rises, the group devises a plan to capture the crocodile. They discover that an elderly woman, Delores Bickerman, has been secretly feeding it for years, revealing a bizarre connection to the creature. The plan involves using cattle as bait, but things go awry when the crocodile attacks their helicopter.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kelly Scott (Bridget Fonda): A paleontologist from New York City who is sent to Maine to investigate a mysterious creature.
• Jack Wells (Bill Pullman): The local Fish and Game officer who enlists Kelly’s help to investigate the underwater attacks.
• Hector Cyr (Oliver Platt): An eccentric and wealthy mythology professor with a fascination for crocodiles who joins the investigation.
• Sheriff Hank Keough (Brendan Gleeson): The skeptical local sheriff who investigates the mysterious deaths around Black Lake.
• Mrs. Delores Bickerman (Betty White): An eccentric elderly woman who has been secretly feeding the crocodile for years.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mrs. Bickerman: “If I had a dick, this is where I’d tell you to suck it!” – Mrs. Bickerman responds defiantly to Sheriff Keough’s questioning about her husband’s death.
• Hector Cyr: “Ma’am, you may be harboring a deadly reptile.” – Hector informs Mrs. Bickerman about the crocodile.
• Sheriff Hank Keough: “Is this the man who was attacked? He seemed taller.” – Sheriff Keough’s darkly humorous reaction upon seeing a severed toe found near the lake.
• Kelly Scott: “Oh, she’s whole sentence sarcastic! You two should get along!” – Kelly’s witty observation about Sheriff Keough’s sarcastic nature.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $31,770,414
• Worldwide Gross: $56,870,414

💥 Lake Placid Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Lake Placid’ isn’t high art, but it’s SO much fun! I love how it doesn’t take itself seriously. Betty White swearing and feeding cows to a giant croc? Classic! The dialogue between Oliver Platt and Brendan Gleeson is hilarious. It’s the perfect movie to watch when you just want to switch your brain off and enjoy some monster mayhem with a comedic twist. This film is one of the best monster movies ever!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of creature features”
  • “Viewers who enjoy horror-comedy blends”
  • “Those seeking a light, entertaining movie night”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Some strong language”
  • “Animal attacks”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Lake Placid knows exactly what it is – a cheesy, self-aware monster movie. While it delivers some thrills and laughs, the inconsistent tone and over-reliance on sarcasm can get tiresome.
• AllMovie: “Lake Placid is a decent homage to ancient B-cinema. A silly and light-headed tale of an offbeat American region plagued by an exaggeratedly over-sized animal devouring the local rednecks. Constant arguments and insults work and the film really qualifies as good, brainless amusement

Audience Reactions

Betty White’s character is unexpectedly hilarious and steals every scene she’s in.: The mix of horror and comedy is what makes this movie enjoyable for a wide audience.

Overall Consensus: Lake Placid is generally regarded as a fun, cheesy B-movie that succeeds in its blend of horror and comedy, even if it’s not particularly scary or thought-provoking.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The crocodile was created by Stan Winston, who also created the monsters in Aliens (1986) and Jurassic Park (1993).”
• “Filming took place in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada.”
• “David E. Kelley, known for his TV work on shows like ‘Ally McBeal’ and ‘Boston Legal,’ wrote and produced the film, bringing his signature quirky humor to the monster movie genre.”

🖥️ How to Watch Lake Placid?

Lake Placid is readily available for streaming rental or purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred platform for current pricing and availability. Some platforms may also offer it as part of a subscription service.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Lake Placid, you might like these similar films:

• Anaconda (1997): Features a giant snake terrorizing a film crew in the Amazon, similar creature feature.
• Tremors (1990): A comedy-horror about giant underground worms attacking a small town, with a similar tone and sense of humor.
• Eight Legged Freaks (2002): Humorous take on giant spiders invading a town, offering a similar blend of scares and laughs.
• Deep Blue Sea (1999): Another late 90’s creature feature involving genetically engineered sharks, offering a similar level of suspense and action.

🛒 Lake Placid Related Products

• Lake Placid (Blu-ray): Relive the comedic horror with improved visual quality! Perfect for fans wanting to experience the movie in the best possible format.
• Crocodile Plush Toy: A cuddly crocodile toy, a fun and ironic reminder of the movie’s giant reptile. It’s great for kids and adults with soft and good quality materials.
• Jurassic Park T-Rex Dinosaur Toy Figure: Collect other dinosaurs from Jurassic Park and recreate your own scenes or create new ones with your dinosaur plush toys. Good for adults and kids.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Betty White: A Funko Pop figurine featuring Betty White, honoring her iconic role in Lake Placid. A great addition to any collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “I Think I Love You” – performed by Maureen Davis
• “It’s Not Unusual” – performed by Tom Jones

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Lake Placid – Building the 30-Foot Animatronic Crocodile

Ever wondered how they made that giant crocodile in Lake Placid? This video dives deep into the construction of the animatronic croc, and it’s seriously impressive! You won’t believe the effort that went into it.

Crocodile Wrangler Rates 12 Alligator Attacks In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

Want to know if that croc attack in Lake Placid could actually happen? A real crocodile expert breaks down the scene and tells you how realistic it is. Prepare to be surprised!

Revisiting The 90s TWO Most Iconic (Yet Awful) Giant Reptile Movies

Lake Placid was a classic, but was it *good*? This video compares it to Anaconda and dives into why we love these cheesy giant reptile movies. Prepare for some 90’s nostalgia!

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