OxfordPress.com

Grade: C+

Verdict: Amiably old-fashioned kiddie comedy.

Details: Starring Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski. Directed by Simon Wincer. Rated PG for some profanity and brief violence. One hour, 35 minutes.

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Review: A funny thing happened to Crocodile Dundee in the last two decades.

He used to be a hit with dating couples of the '80s. Now he's more likely to appeal to those people's children. Truth be told, though, today's kids might find Paul Hogan as old-hat as the tooth-trimmed black number he wears in the role.

“Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles” is a mild, sometimes achingly obvious throwback to the 1986 original. But you almost can't help admiring its aw-shucks aura. Hogan returns in the role that made him an unexpected international star, Mick Dundee, nicknamed for his fame at trapping crocodiles in the Australian outback.

Girlfriend Sue (Linda Kozlowski) is still around. Though still unmarried, they have a son, Mikey (Serge Cockburn), whom Mick is teaching in the arts of wilderness wisdom. When Sue is assigned a temporary gig at her father's Los Angeles newspaper, all three leave Australia for some adventures in the city where the equivalent of crocodiles are the movie executives vying for the best table at Morton's.

When Sue becomes suspicious of a new film company's business dealings (they're currently making the second sequel of a bad action movie that tanked at the box office), Mick goes undercover as an extra to find out where their money really comes from.

In the course of things, Mick causes a highway pileup in order to rescue a lane-wandering skunk, and shows his skills at mesmerizing bigger animals into submission. Plus, of course, he solves the mystery and impresses his kid. And even at age 60, Hogan still exudes his familiar boyish charm.

No, you won't exactly find cutting edge humor here. And even at 95 minutes the movie feels a little padded. But if you're looking for a safe, family-friendly choice, here's the good news: In this movie you won't find David Arquette rolling around in dog poop, a la “See Spot Run,” or shiny cartoon pocket monsters silently commanding your children to buy their plastic simulacra at Toys 'R Us.

— Steve Murray, (none)