The 2025 comedy horror film Anaconda feels like a shameless cash grab. Or, conversely; a what if movie. A tale about childhood friends who made films when they were a whole world younger. Their lives have not turned out how they wanted. Think; Sam Raimi and co if their first film Evil Dead had not been given a nudge by the horror meister himself; Stephen King.
Anaconda Story
A group of friends get together to celebrate Doug’s birthday. They have all reached middle age. Each is undergoing a crisis. Ronald uncovers a lost film they all worked on and the group decide to recreate a childhood classic. Anaconda. Like the iconic 3 Musketeers, the four head to Brazil. Things get pretty unreal.
The Anaconda Cast
Jack Black is Doug McCallister.
Paul Rudd is Ronald Griffin Jr.
Steve Zahn is Kenny Trent.
Thandiwe Newton is Claire Simmons.
Daniela Melchior is Ana Almeida.
Selton Mello is Santiago.
Kick Arse Cameos
Ice Cube is Ice Cube.
Jennifer Lopez is Jennifer Lopez.
John Billingsley is Jerry.
Let’s Talk Anaconda
Director and co-writer Tom Gormican does a decent enough job on this one. *He shares writing credit with Kevin Etten and three “based on” writers.* The premise, that of four friends who made films together growing up was a good fit. Even more so when, after viewing the film and chuckling throughout, I made the Raimi connection.
What if, in an alternative universe, Raimi and co (Yes this includes Bruce Campbell.) had not gotten that enthusiastic nod from Stephen King? Would their ship fail to sail. Would that little band of creatives, reaching middle age unsatisfied and unhappy, try to recreate what they had started?
Once I had that thought lodged in the back of my head, the film became funnier and more clever. There were some moments that jarred. Not least of which was the actual anaconda. At times the CGI monster was larger than previous outings.
Cast is King/Queen
The cast here sells the film. Black, Rudd and Zahn are personal favorites. Newton though, seals the deal. I fell in love with this powerfully nuanced actress back in 2007. She was the romantic interest in Run Fatboy Run! opposite Simon Pegg. In 2008 she made RockNRolla and stole my heart once again. This actress could, it seemed, play any role with outstanding “reality.”
Thandiwe became the main reason I continued to watch the HBO version of Westworld. Selton Mello as the “mad as a box of frogs” nutter who trains anacondas became a new favorite.
Ice Cube, playing a make believe version of himself, “Keep it gangster,” rocked in his crucial cameo. *Don’t worry mate, I quite liked the War of the Worlds re-imagining. Razzie or no.*
It Works
Anaconda is amusing. Although it does indeed feel like a shameless cash grab. The jokes do well, although the the wild boar on Black’s back, with its head perched on the actor’s own head, feels a tad too overthetop to really work well. The ending is a little convoluted, but, it does hit the funny bone nonetheless.
The music fits brilliantly and helps to sell the film’s comedic delivery. Kudos to Composer David Fleming for putting the icing on this comedic horror.
The Verdict
The film earns a solid 3.5 stars overall. I did chuckle through the whole film and the only downside was that Rudd does look like he is finally aging. Albeit, not very much, but them crows feet are definitely getting deeper. The film is streaming on Netflix right now. Head on over and check it out. Tell me what you think. Is it worth a watch or am I being too generous. Answers in the comment section below. We would love to see what you think.
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