Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, The MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +2 Content: +2 1/2

Already well-know from visits to TV talk shows, commercials and cable TV?s Animal Planet, wild life rescuers, Steve and Terri Irwin, share their adventures in the Australian Outback, embellished with a thin plot about finding a valuable satellite beacon. The Irwins think they are racing to save a fierce crocodile from poachers, but in truth, the ?poachers? happens to be U.S. agents. The crocodile in question seems to have swallowed the beacon dropped when a space vessel breaks up over Australia. Brozzie (Magda Szubanski), a comical female rancher, along with a pack of vicious dogs, is also stalking the crocodile. In their quest to track down the crocodile, Steve and Terri cross paths with poisonous snakes, monster spiders known to eat small birds, and even an orphaned baby kangaroo. In his often-imitated style, Steve talks to the camera as he wrestles with a crocodile or coaxes some strange critter out of its hiding place. THE CROCODILE HUNTER: COLLISION COURSE is funny, informative and exciting. Part documentary, part action film, it appeals to kids and nature lovers not annoyed by Steve?s frenetic energy.

The crocodile hunter seems to thrive on danger as he overpowers a thrashing crocodile or handles snakes and spiders with his bare hands. With her shotgun in hand, Brozzie delights in shooting at trespassers to scare them. When the crocodile grabs bait Brozzie dangles from a tree, she is thrown into the water. While there is plenty of action, no one is hurt, but very young children may be frightened by some of the dangerous encounters. The Irwins work very hard to protect the wild and endangered animals from poachers by relocating them to a safe haven, and educating the public about the uniqueness of all kinds of wild life. The government agents while not portrayed as ?bad guys,? are portrayed as petty, not too smart and vindictive. One even dynamites Brozzie?s barn and steals her glider. With only a few mildly crude expressions, THE CROCODILE HUNTER: COLLISION COURSE delivers 105 minutes of wholesome, and educational, entertainment.

Preview Reviewer: Libby Cravens, age 13; Sarah Cravens, age 9, and Mary Draughon
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 2500 Broadway St., Santa Monica, CA 90404-3061