[Review] Wolf Creek 2

Freelance serial killer and pig shooter Mick Taylor is back, where he continues to roam the unforgiving Australian outback preying on foreign tourists.

We all knew this sequel was coming ever since we saw the original which is almost a decade old, can you believe that? I know I can’t. I was never expecting much with this highly anticipated follow up and I was right to do so. The film’s director Greg Mclean has given us a very typical sequel, where just about everything is ramped up to eleven. Suspense is non-existent as is any real plot, it’s really just the same set-up but in this case the “fun” begins straight away with a very intense and outlandish opening sequence which really does set the tone for the entire film. Violence and gore are definitely taken up a few levels.

The main issue I have with this film is Mick Taylor, he’s become almost a parody of himself. In the original film he had a degree of subtly which made him absolutely terrifying whereas now, apart from the extreme acts of brutality he mainly just spouts very Australian one-liners and jokes. Many of which were quite funny but it really wears thin after a while. We do learn a bit more about him, mainly that he’s a full blown racist who feels that it’s his duty as an Australian to wipe out these foreign tourists who he sees as nothing more than noxious weed and a source of sick pleasure. Overall he was definitely still menacing but not scary which was disappointing, although John Jarrat’s performance is actually really good, so good in fact that it’s impossible to imagine anyone else playing Mick Taylor. It’s just a shame that he didn’t have a lot to work with this time.

The Aussie outback is photography beautifully which really gives you a sense of isolation, it’s a stunning yet deadly landscape that’s used to the film’s full advantage in creating a feeling of pending doom. The lighting and camera work is also exceptional, especially during the final act of the film which really pushed me to my threshold of viewing disturbing images; some very dark and evil stuff.

I did enjoy Wolf Creek 2 for the most part, it could have been a lot worse. There were some memorable moments, one involving kangaroos and one very bizarre and disturbing scene, which was a combination of torture, a sing-along and Australian trivia. Those old schools songs will never been the same for me again. Greg Mclean have delivered a sequel that I think most fans will enjoy even though it does lack elements that made the original film so effective. Will we see a third instalment? I say most likely. 



By Kevin Bechaz

Credit Where Credit's Due

Director: Greg Mclean
Writer(s): Greg Mclean, Aaron Sterns
Starring: John Jarratt, Ryan Corr, Shannon Ashlyn, Phillipe Klaus
Runtime: 104 minutes
Release Date(s): Australia: February 20th, 2014