Crocodile Dundee II
Australian outback expert protects his New York love from gangsters who've followed her down under.
Despite its limited budget of $14.0M, Crocodile Dundee II became a runaway success, earning $239.6M worldwide—a remarkable 1611% return. The film's distinctive approach found its audience, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Crocodile Dundee II (1988) reveals deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of John Cornell's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mick Dundee and Sue Charlton are living happily together in New York City. Mick has adapted to urban life while maintaining his outback charm, working odd jobs and enjoying his relationship with Sue.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Sue receives photographs from a Colombian drug cartel showing murders. She becomes the target of dangerous criminals led by Luis Rico who want to retrieve the incriminating evidence and silence her permanently.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Sue is kidnapped by the cartel despite protection efforts. Mick makes the active choice to pursue her captors, deciding he must take her to the one place where he has the advantage: the Australian outback., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: Mick and Sue reach the remote outback territory where Mick believes they're safe. They celebrate their escape and reconnection to the land. However, the cartel has tracked them and is adapting their tactics, raising the stakes for the second half., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The cartel captures Sue again and corners Mick. He's separated from her, outnumbered and outgunned. His usual tricks seem exhausted. The "whiff of death" emerges as Mick faces the real possibility of losing Sue forever and potentially his own life., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Mick realizes he must combine his outback knowledge with the Aboriginal community's help and Sue's intelligence. He formulates a plan that uses the land itself as a weapon, synthesizing everything he's learned about fighting smart rather than just fighting hard., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Crocodile Dundee II's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Crocodile Dundee II against these established plot points, we can identify how John Cornell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Crocodile Dundee II within the adventure genre.
John Cornell's Structural Approach
Among the 2 John Cornell films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Crocodile Dundee II takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Cornell filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more John Cornell analyses, see Almost an Angel.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mick Dundee and Sue Charlton are living happily together in New York City. Mick has adapted to urban life while maintaining his outback charm, working odd jobs and enjoying his relationship with Sue.
Theme
A character mentions that "you can take the man out of the outback, but you can't take the outback out of the man," foreshadowing the story's exploration of identity, home, and where one truly belongs.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Mick and Sue's life in New York. Sue works at her father's newspaper. Mick struggles with city life but maintains his humor and resourcefulness. We see their relationship dynamics and Mick's fish-out-of-water status in Manhattan.
Disruption
Sue receives photographs from a Colombian drug cartel showing murders. She becomes the target of dangerous criminals led by Luis Rico who want to retrieve the incriminating evidence and silence her permanently.
Resistance
Mick initially doesn't grasp the full danger. The cartel makes attempts on Sue's life. Mick uses his street smarts to protect her but realizes they're outmatched in the city. Police and FBI get involved but can't guarantee safety. Mick debates what to do.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sue is kidnapped by the cartel despite protection efforts. Mick makes the active choice to pursue her captors, deciding he must take her to the one place where he has the advantage: the Australian outback.
Mirror World
Mick reconnects with his Aboriginal friends and the outback community. These relationships represent the thematic heart: the value of community, indigenous wisdom, and fighting on your own terms rather than the enemy's.
Premise
Mick rescues Sue from her captors in New York using his unconventional methods. They flee to Australia with the cartel in pursuit. The "promise of the premise" delivers: Mick in his element, using bush skills, crocodile tactics, and outback knowledge against sophisticated criminals.
Midpoint
False victory: Mick and Sue reach the remote outback territory where Mick believes they're safe. They celebrate their escape and reconnection to the land. However, the cartel has tracked them and is adapting their tactics, raising the stakes for the second half.
Opposition
The drug cartel arrives in the outback with weapons and numbers. They systematically hunt for Mick and Sue. Despite Mick's home advantage, the criminals prove resourceful and ruthless. The pressure intensifies as they close in, cutting off escape routes.
Collapse
The cartel captures Sue again and corners Mick. He's separated from her, outnumbered and outgunned. His usual tricks seem exhausted. The "whiff of death" emerges as Mick faces the real possibility of losing Sue forever and potentially his own life.
Crisis
Mick retreats into the wilderness alone, processing the situation. He must dig deeper than ever before, moving beyond tricks to genuine strategy. He contemplates what matters most and who he truly is: not just a showman, but a protector and warrior.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mick realizes he must combine his outback knowledge with the Aboriginal community's help and Sue's intelligence. He formulates a plan that uses the land itself as a weapon, synthesizing everything he's learned about fighting smart rather than just fighting hard.
Synthesis
The finale: Mick orchestrates a tactical campaign using the outback environment, Aboriginal allies, and guerrilla tactics. He systematically neutralizes the cartel members, rescues Sue, and defeats Luis Rico using the land's natural dangers and his superior knowledge of the terrain.
Transformation
Mick and Sue together in the outback, but transformed. Sue now fully understands and appreciates Mick's world. Mick has proven that home isn't about location but about being true to yourself. They've found balance between both worlds, honoring where they belong.