Crocodile Dundee (PG-13)

Say G'day mate to this iconic Outback comedy.

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Movie details

Studio: Paramount Pictures
Directed By: Peter Faiman
Cast: Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, John Meillon
Running Time: 98 minutes
Release Date: 09/26/1986
Video/DVD Release Date: 09/18/2001
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this '80s comedy features violence and alcohol use -- even one instance of cocaine use. The language and sexuality are on par with most PG-13 films, but there's near constant drinking and cigarette smoking, and several fight scenes. Still, the humor of the "fish out of water" genre conveys some positive themes about Australian and Aboriginal culture, being in tune with nature, and being kind and chivalrous.

Families can talk about how Paul Hogan's character changed the way Americans thought about Australia, paving the way for the Outback Steakhouse, the Subaru Outback (which he endorsed) and even the late Aussie naturalist, Steve Irwin. Nowadays there are many, many Australians in Hollywood: Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett, and Nicole Kidman, to name a few. Kids: can you name five more? Do you think Crocodile Dundee is representative of Australian Bush culture? Is New York City still perceived as dangerous and crime-ridden?

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

Aboriginal culture is featured positively, but Australians are otherwise depicted stereotypically.

Consumerism:

New York tourist sites: Times Square, The Plaza, Newsday newspaper.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

A partygoer snorts cocaine, which Dundee thinks is a cold remedy. Dundee drinks a LOT, mostly beer. In several scenes, characters drink socially at bars or parties (beer or cocktails). Many people smoke cigarettes.

Violence

Many punches are thrown at a pub brawl against a pimp and his thugs. Kangaroo hunters use guns, as does Dundee to defend the animals. Dundee headbutts a man, saves Sue from the jaws of a croc, and sports his large knife on several occasions.

Sex

Sue wears revealing outfits sans bra, including a thong bathing suit. Two prostitutes tell Croc they'd "give him one for free." Dundee spends most of the film shirtless, and in one scene is in the bath (no nudity is shown). Sue and Dundee kiss and embrace. Dundee checks between two androgynous people's legs.

Language

Several uses of the words "s--t" and "Jesus," as well as "ass," and one "F" word. A transvestite is referred to as a "fag."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Sandie Angulo Chen

This iconic 1980s adventure-comedy centers on Mick "Crocodile" Dundee (Paul Hogan), a rugged, hardnosed Aussie outbacker who can fend off a killer croc and a few hours later throw down a keg's worth of beer at the local pub. Dundee's life-saving machismo impresses traveling New York reporter Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski). After Dundee saves her from a crocodile's jaws, she invites him to return to Manhattan with her to see if the big, bad city is any less dangerous than the bush. Once in New York, the fish-out-of-water gags begin, like Mick saying "G'day mate" to total strangers, thinking a guy snorting cocaine is trying to cure a stuffy nose, washing clothes in his room at the Plaza, hitting on a transvestite, defending two streetwalkers' honor, and nonchalantly telling a mugger: "That's not a knife," pulling out his own and proclaiming, "Now THAT's a knife."

Is it any good?

It's easy to forget now, with all the Steve Irwin/Crocodile Hunter love, what a phenomenon the fictional Crocodile Dundee was back in the mid-'80s. The movie made more than $328 million and bankrolled two sequels. Hogan and his no-nonsense "Man from Down Under" routine was quite charming back then, and though the comedy's definitely dated, it still manages to elicit chuckles at all the right spots. For some culture-clash amusement, this Outback offering hits the spot.