A sober, focused approach gives the investigation credibility and weight. One qualification is that the seriousness can become slightly programmatic.
Pros: lead performance, directing quality
Cons: originality, pacing
Best Entertainment for Serious tone
The earnest treatment helps make the hippo genuinely threatening and gives the characters weight. That same seriousness can frustrate anyone drawn in by the promise of a silly monster romp.
Pros: special effects quality, genre satisfaction
Cons: violence level, writing quality
A late move into serious drama feels unearned after so much exaggerated farce.
Pros: lead performance, visual style
Cons: plot twists, entertainment value