WOLF CREEK 2

These films essentially boil down to the conflict between the Australian landscape (its geography, inhabitants and culture) and the intrusion of foreigners, one of the more fascinating ideas explored some of the great Australian films. There were flashes of ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ (1975) and ‘Wake in Fright’ (1971) in the first film, but these influences become even grander and clearer in the sequel, as if Mick were birthed from the landscape as an avenging angel against the foreign tourists he hunts with such relish. McLean pushes this point even further, filling the film with catchphrases and icons so inherently Australian, it’s almost sickening (wait for Mick’s announcement that he’s “keeping Australia beautiful”), but rather than being lame and ham-fisted, it adds to the operatic quality of the film. We don’t learn very much more about Mick Taylor, but his intentions have become clearer and this makes them all the more insane and terrifying. McLean has long been one of the more fascinating directors in this country, the genre equivalent to David Michod (‘Animal Kingdom’) and Justin Kurzel (‘Snowtown’), and here he demonstrates his immense talent with flair and virtuosity. His use of visuals and music in particular deliver some of the most iconic moments of the film (particularly a sequence involving a pack of kangaroos) and his fearlessness helps to elevate the film to anything but a tired re-tread of old ground. Much like the first, he presents horror tropes we’re familiar with, but gives them an energy and a kick that make them seem new again, in particular a phenomenal truck chase through the outback that ends in spectacular fashion. If anyone was in doubt of his talents before, they certainly won’t be now.

Once again, the cast is kept to a tight bunch, so we don’t have too many characters we have to connect to. The focus point of Mick’s terrorism is Paul, and it’s to Ryan Corr’s credit that we connect instantly with him and sympathise with him. Paul is literally thrust into the story with no warning, and instantly goes from innocent bystander to viciously pursued. Corr has the most trying job on the film, being beaten to a pulp and running endlessly from one nightmare to the next, but he never lets the ball drop and, in the end, is as worthy an opponent as Cassandra Magrath was in the first. And as for John Jarratt, he remains the great star of the film. In his hands, Mick is one hell of a horror icon, that perfect balance of humour and terror. He’s given license to have a lot more fun this time, and he seems to relish the chance to return to the character he helped create. There was the potential to have too much Mick in this film, but thanks to Jarrett, every moment he’s on screen is more than welcome.

In the final half hour, the film finally descends (literally) into full-blown horror with an absolutely gruesome final sequence that pulls the curtain back completely on the extent of Mick’s depravity. The momentum of this great sequence is hampered by a very sudden and unsatisfying conclusion, but it’s not enough to dampen what came before it. ‘Wolf Creek 2’ is, with much relief, a worthy sequel to a great film, with moments just as memorable as the first. This might be the start of a new franchise, but hopefully the same care and thought will be put into whatever comes next. If anything, it’s a reminder that we are capable of great genre filmmaking in this country, and that rather than dismissing it we should embrace it, especially with artists like Greg McLean behind the camera. It’s what great horror should be - ballsy, terrifying and wickedly fun.