CROCODILE DUNDEE IN LOS ANGELES (2001) **1/2 Due to tragic circumstances, Paul Hogan and his family are forced to defend their interests in that den of sin, Los Angeles....they aren't the sort who would otherwise go, you understand. Overlook the minorly obvious and you can have a good time, given that Hogan, (real) love interest Linda Kozlowski, and (fake) son Serge Cockburn are perfectly happy to trade on peceptions based in reality. And there are some: Kozlowski may not be the world's most natural or versatile actress (one can't help suspecting that, as in the script, it's her fault that they're all in L.A.), but Paul obviously likes having her around, and by making him happy she does her part for the quality of the film. Paul Hogan films are invariably about watching Paul wander around acting cool, effectively defusing volitile situations that have bewildered millions, somewhat as in real life. Serge is a better actor than his (fake) mother, but probably so would have (real) son Chance. They have to know that the question isn't whether we're talking a gene pool to compete with the Barrymores, but whether they're more likely to generate happy endings, inside the closing credits and after. The (real) Hogan clan gently make fun of the L.A. surroundings that have enabled them to purchase Australia, but there's a subtext of bewildered affection towards the industry hangers-on and loonies, as ably embodied by George Hamilton with a drink.
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