New York reporter Sue Charlton hears of a guy in the outback of Australia who survived an attack by a crocodile. For research she meets up with "Crocodile Mick Dundee" and spends time with him out in dangerous Bush Country. Finding a rapport during their time together, Sue convinces Mick to go back with her to New York, which brings interesting results as Mick becomes a big hit by treating the Big Apple, and all that comes his way, the same as he would the Outback.

Crocodile Dundee has a standard fish out of water comedy premise, yet with a number of truly funny sequences and an appealing turn from Paul Hogan as Dundee, it became a monster smash hit that the cinema watching public lapped up with glee. In a decade that is often considered or debated to be the worst for film, it may just be that cinema goers were desperate for a pick me up movie? Possibly, but undoubtedly Crocodile Dundee most assuredly is that type of escapist piece. However, to give that credence would, I feel, be doing it a disservice, for in spite of the rickety concept and the obviousness of where we will ultimately end up, it has bundles of earthy charm, a charm that many can identify with.

As Dundee goes about his way, meeting pimps, transsexuals and muggers et al, they are not only very funny scenes, they are also points of reference to the ever changing way of the Continents. Not that the film doesn't come dangerously close to falling into a sugary rom-com mire, but with a strong performance from Linda Kozlowski as Sue, and Hogan introducing an icon to 80s cinema, Crocodile Dundee safely hits the target that it was surely aiming for. Besides, the love story here is very easy to get on side with, to support it and hanker for this opposites attract coupling to work out.

Two sequels would follow, the first one was a retread reversal and just about passable, the second one, after a gap of 13 years, was bad and evidence that the joke had long since passed. Crocodile Dundee 86 holds up well as the escapist piece of cinema that it is. A nice film to revisit every other year, for it be simple, warm, and yes, I'll say it again, damn funny. 8/10

Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski) is a Newsday writer who was due back already but she hears a story about Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee (Paul Hogan) who survived a crocodile attack in the Australian outback. He's a guide with his best friend Walter Reilly (John Meillon) based out of Walkabout Creek. He takes her out to the outback encountering aboriginal friend Neville Bell (David Gulpilil). She falls for Dundee and takes him back to NYC. Her overbearing boss Richard Mason (Mark Blum) is her boyfriend back home.

I love the sly humor taking shots at some of stereotypes. Of course, it created one of the most iconic stereotypical character of the 80s. Some of humor is still there but much of it is dated. It's still a charmer and a fun movie. I do wish they limit some of the modern world jokes. They don't all work if they keep doing them. It's a case of less is more.

While decidedly languid and a tad too short, this is the first and best of the tales about the Australian living legend. The scenery and cinematography are very nice, and there are entertaining and somewhat informative parts in the script. The story is engaging too, and has both funny and quite tense bits. The direction is fine, and the acting is good enough. Paul Hogan is a very likable, charismatic and funny hero, and Linda Kozslowski is decent support. As for the sequels, the second was inferior but passable but the third isn't really worth bothering with. This though, while not perfect is the real deal and works as solid entertainment. 8/10 Bethany Cox