A baby alligator is sent down the Chicago sewer system and grows to an enormous size after consuming chemically tainted remains of dogs. A police officer portrayed by Robert Forster and a reptile specialist, Robin Riker, join forces to locate the creature once it emerges from the sewers and begins attacking people. “Alligator,” released in 1980, feels sluggish for roughly thirty minutes, but things improve considerably after that point, generally holding your interest. It’s not like "Jaws" (1975), which is entirely serious and intended to be frightening; most adults won't view “Alligator” as particularly scary or take it too seriously. I found myself laughing on several occasions during the creature’s attacks. You will occasionally hear music designed to build suspense, similar to what you would find in "Jaws," as the alligator approaches its victims. Some people naturally draw comparisons between this film and another “Jaws” imitation, "Piranha" (1978), but that other movie is more consistently enjoyable overall. What makes seeing "Alligator" worthwhile is Robin Riker’s presence, who isn't introduced until about thirty minutes into the story, after which she becomes a significant part of the film. She was 28 years old when filming took place, yet possesses a refined and mature demeanor that makes her seem older, perhaps around 35. Also, keep an eye out for the blonde reporter wearing a red jacket and jeans roughly forty-three minutes into the movie; like Robin, she has a beautiful physique. There are some scenes that you probably won't see in promotional materials anymore. For example, a child is eaten while swimming in a backyard pool. And there’s an amusing sequence where a “great white hunter,” Henry Silva, enlists the help of three Black men to assist him in his pursuit within an urban setting. Of course, that kind of depiction wouldn't be acceptable today. The movie has a running time of 1 hour and 27 minutes and was filmed in Los Angeles and along the Los Angeles River. GRADE: B-

Source on TMDB