'Crocodile Dundee' By Rita Kempley Washington Post Staff Writer September 26, 1986

Director: Peter Faiman Cast: Paul Hogan; Linda Kozlowski; John Meillon; Mark Blum; David Gulpilil; Michael Lombard Children under 13 should be accompanied by a parent Compare prices for this movie Find local video stores More movie shopping Save money with NextCard Visa

Oh, Dundee's bigger-than-life all right -- but he has a sense of humor, his prowess is homespun and his story mocks heroic notions without undermining the hero himself. Australian TV's Paul Hogan stars in this clever comic adventure, which blends the exotic joys of "Romancing the Stone" with the camp of "Tarzan's New York Adventure." Hogan, who also cowrote the screenplay, is downright likable as the resourceful backwoodsman, whose face is as weathered as a pair of worn Wallabies.

Dundee miraculously survives a crocodile attack and his derring-do Down Under attracts the attention of a foxy American news hen, who persuades him to recap his story for Newsday. Linda Kozlowski plays ace reporter Sue Charlton, all spiffed up for the bush in long, flowing skirt, a great big floppy hat that will catch on branches, and a hip-slippery leotard. Is there a Bloomies in Melbourne?

Anyhow, it's Hogan's country-boy charm that carries the movie, which starts slowly but compensates with a big finish when Sue invites Croc to join her in the concrete jungles of New York. Once in Manhattan, Dundee's jungle smarts translate into knockout comedy. Three punks with a switchblade try a stick-up, but Dundee laughs heartily. "You call that a knife?" he sneers, producing his serious, foot-long crocodile-tamer (and fulfilling many a city-dweller's fantasy).

Charming cultural clashes also result from Dundee's run-ins with transvestites, black slang, butlers and bidets -- all comically conceived by Hogan and director Peter Faiman. Australian or not, "Crocodile" plays on America's soft spot for the rugged individualist. CROCODILE DUNDEE (PG-13) -- At area theaters.

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