Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles
From the opening shot of a Jurassic Park-esque reptilian eye, you know you are in for a wild ride. As Mick "Crocodile" Dundee sits in a canoe sharpening his famous knife, a monstrous croc hides somewhere in the deep. The croc suddenly attacks, tearing Mick's boat to pieces and leaving him and mate Jacko up a tree. Life for Mick can only get easier, right? When Mick arrives at home, he discovers longtime companion Sue's newspaper-mogul father has called, and needs her help on an article at the paper's Los Angeles branch. Mick, who recognizes his importance in the modernizing bush is now no more than as a tourist attraction, agrees to join her, and together Mick, Sue and son Mikey head for Los Angeles. Here the adventure truly begins, as Mick and Jacko brave a cowboy bar where the horsemen are of a different color, and a Hollywood film party where everyone seems interested in Mick's mate Malcolm "Mal" Gibson's colorful exploits. Sue's article soon leads to a sleazy film producer, so Mick gets a job as a monkey wrangler at his studio, where his investigation uncovers some very sketchy goings-on.
Working with a respectable budget of $21.1M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $39.4M in global revenue (+86% profit margin).
1 win & 2 nominations
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 in Los Angeles (2001) reveals strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Simon Wincer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mick Dundee lives peacefully in the Australian Outback with Sue and their son Mikey, running wildlife tours and living his simple bushman life.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Sue receives an urgent call from her father offering her a temporary position running his Los Angeles newspaper, forcing a decision about leaving their simple life.. 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 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The Dundee family arrives in Los Angeles, and Mick commits to making this work despite being completely out of his element in the sprawling urban environment., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Mick discovers evidence suggesting the studio deaths aren't accidents but murders, raising the stakes and transforming his adventure into something dangerous., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 70 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mikey is kidnapped by the criminals, representing Mick's worst fear realized - his family endangered because he couldn't protect them in this unfamiliar world., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Mick realizes his bushman skills are valuable even in LA - he can track and hunt criminals just like he would in the outback, synthesizing both worlds' strengths., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles against these established plot points, we can identify how Simon Wincer 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 in Los Angeles within the adventure genre.
Simon Wincer's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Simon Wincer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Simon Wincer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Simon Wincer analyses, see The Phantom, Quigley Down Under and Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mick Dundee lives peacefully in the Australian Outback with Sue and their son Mikey, running wildlife tours and living his simple bushman life.
Theme
Sue discusses how different worlds require different skills - a fish out of water must adapt or sink, foreshadowing Mick's journey to adapt to Los Angeles.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Mick's life in Walkabout Creek: his relationship with Sue, their son Mikey, his role as a tour guide, and his deep connection to the Australian bush versus Sue's journalism career.
Disruption
Sue receives an urgent call from her father offering her a temporary position running his Los Angeles newspaper, forcing a decision about leaving their simple life.
Resistance
Mick debates whether to go to Los Angeles, uncomfortable with city life but wanting to support Sue. They prepare for the journey, and Mick expresses reservations about leaving his element.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Dundee family arrives in Los Angeles, and Mick commits to making this work despite being completely out of his element in the sprawling urban environment.
Mirror World
Mick meets Jacko and other locals in the film industry community, establishing relationships that will teach him about this new world and its different kind of authenticity.
Premise
Fish-out-of-water comedy as Mick navigates Los Angeles: misunderstanding Hollywood culture, befriending valets and studio workers, while Sue investigates suspicious deaths connected to a film studio.
Midpoint
Mick discovers evidence suggesting the studio deaths aren't accidents but murders, raising the stakes and transforming his adventure into something dangerous.
Opposition
The criminals become aware of Mick and Sue's investigation. Pressure increases as they get closer to the truth about the smuggling operation, while antagonists close in.
Collapse
Mikey is kidnapped by the criminals, representing Mick's worst fear realized - his family endangered because he couldn't protect them in this unfamiliar world.
Crisis
Mick faces his darkest moment of doubt, feeling responsible for bringing his family into danger, but realizes he must use his unique outback skills to save his son.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mick realizes his bushman skills are valuable even in LA - he can track and hunt criminals just like he would in the outback, synthesizing both worlds' strengths.
Synthesis
Mick uses his tracking abilities and street smarts learned in LA to locate the criminals, rescue Mikey, and expose the smuggling operation, proving his worth in both worlds.
Transformation
The family prepares to return to Australia, with Mick now confident he can adapt to any environment while staying true to himself - he's proven the outback and the city aren't so different after all.