Review: I Survived ‘Anaconda’ (and Kinda Had Fun)
Jack Black and Paul Rudd in Anaconda (Courtesy of Sony)
Another remake has been pulled from the haystack - and this time it takes the form of a giant snake. Now, Anaconda is not necessarily a film I would call a “classic.” Sure it’s got its audience, but I by no means think this is a movie where people or even “fans” go “bro, we need to watch Anaconda, it’s a game changer!” The original, while not considered a classic, is just simply a fun creature feature. The characters are not great, but it’s got some late 90s charm added to it making it simply a fun time. That is essentially what we get here, but with a modern spin. In the film, best friends Griff and Doug have always dreamed of remaking their all-time favorite movie "Anaconda." When a midlife crisis pushes them to finally go for it, they assemble a crew and head deep into the jungles of the Amazon to start filming. However, life soon imitates art when a gigantic anaconda with a thirst for blood starts hunting them down.
This version of Anaconda is ridiculous, but very intentionally so, and that self-awareness is what ultimately keeps the film afloat. While the premise alone suggests chaos, the movie’s biggest strength is its cast, who fully commit to the absurdity rather than fighting it. Paul Rudd and Jack Black seem to understand exactly what kind of movie this is, and that confidence goes a long way. But I mean when you get an Anaconda movie starring well…Jack Black and Paul Rudd, what did you expect? Performances are occasionally over-the-top, but rarely annoying. Instead, the cast leans into the silliness. Believe me, I know the dialogue is not great by any stretch and dare I say some of it feels tad like ChatGPT, but we aren’t here for oscar worthy dialogue or even prestige acting, but it’s effective for the kind of movie Anaconda wants to be.
From a directing standpoint, the film benefits from a clear tonal direction. The movie never pretends to be something it isn’t. Rather than grounding the story in realism, director Tom Gormican embraces camp, allowing scenes to play out with heightened tension, exaggerated reactions, and a pace that favors momentum over logic. The result is a film that moves quickly, rarely lingering long enough for its flaws to fully sink in, especially with a general audience, who I think is just going to have a good time here. When things get dumb, and they do, the movie barrels forward instead of stopping to justify itself.
Visually, Anaconda looks better than it probably needs to. The jungle settings are atmospheric, making strong use of shadows, dense foliage, and tight framing to create a genuine sense of claustrophobia. While the CGI isn’t flawless, it’s largely serviceable, and the film smartly avoids overexposing the snake in ways that would completely shatter the illusion. Unfortunately, that restraint also highlights one of the film’s biggest flaws: the payoff. The finale, where audiences finally expect a full-blown confrontation with the giant snake, falls flat. It’s rushed, overly fast-paced, and undercut by choppy editing that never allows the tension, or even laughs really, to properly build. Instead of feeling climactic, the sequence feels hurried, almost as if the film is sprinting to the finish line. It comes across less like a creative choice and more like an attempt to quickly set up a potential Anaconda 2. Yes, the sequel tease is there, but at this point, are we really surprised?
But more than anything, Anaconda is about vibes. This is a movie designed for audiences who want to relax, laugh, and occasionally cringe their way through a ridiculous premise. It has B-movie energy with a modern polish, balancing nostalgia for late-’90s creature features with contemporary pacing and style. There’s a playful tone running throughout the film that suggests everyone involved knew exactly what they were making and had fun doing it.
No, Anaconda isn’t reinventing the genre, and it’s certainly not aiming for greatness. But as a campy, self-aware creature feature, it delivers exactly what it promises: dumb fun, committed performances, and a giant snake causing chaos. Sometimes, that’s more than enough.
RATING:
⭐⭐⭐
