Pity the poor orphaned gator unceremoniously flushed down the toilet when it was no longer baby-cute. But every alligator will have his day. Sayles's witty, scary script is a model for fright-night specials; and the film is rare among horror films in that it develops a central romance with depth, intelligence, and humor.

So-so gator-in-a-sewer movie. Nothing too terribly original about it, but the gator looks surprisingly good, and there are more than a few creepy shots in a sewer.

Mediocre special effects are only a distraction in this witty eco-monster take.

"Lewis Teague is only too willing to hand over the entire project to Sayles's hunger for allegorical subplots." - Eric Henderson

The standard Big Creature Eats People fare, livened up by the terrible wardrobe choices of the main character and a whole bunch of people being eaten during a wedding. Take that, marriage!

Enjoyable B-movie with the usual "big animal kills folk and takes far too long getting caught even after everyone knows it exists" plot. Highlights include a bizarre sort of subplot involving the scientist originally owning the beast and a lead character that seems to sweat dirt.

Bad acting, especially that police man with the awful voice, stupid story, funny wedding scene. At least they used a real alligator at times and the baby alligator are ridiculously cute

This movie definitely falls under the guilty pleasure category. The story is silly and the special effects come across as very low budget. However the movie is enjoyable and Robert Forster is good in the lead role. If you are in the mood for a fun B movie then you should watch Alligator.

Sure why not.

pretty good for what it is

Fun movie scripted by John Sayles. The usual strong performance from Robert Forster helps a lot

Fairly amusing farce.

Better than most "oversized animal" films, but really not all that good. This is despite a script by the great screenwriter John Sayles.

One of those movies that they used to show on "Monster Week" on UHF back in the 80's. Thoroughly forgettable.

it's got a giant alligator, who doesn't love giant alligators?

Forster supplies the low-key heroics, and Silva (as a Great White Hunter stalking urban sewers!) the sardonic comic relief in a generally fun -- if occasionally self-conscious -- fright film.

Witty monster movie send-up. Lots of goofy dialogue and situations (like a vendor selling alligator memorabilia after one of the gator attacks) are well played off some real scares, and there's a terrific cast with Silva an especial hoot as a Great White Hunter hired to dispose of the pesky critter.