The 2025 reimagining of Anaconda is a film that recognizes the absurdity of its own existence but never quite figures out what to do with that awareness. Moving away from the straight “creature feature” roots of the 1997 original, this iteration attempts a self-aware, comedic spin that ultimately fails to land either the laughs or the scares.
The Plot: A Movie Within a Movie
The story follows Doug (Jack Black), a former aspiring filmmaker now stuck shooting wedding videos. He is convinced by his childhood friend and struggling actor, Griff (Paul Rudd), to head to the Amazon to film a low-budget reboot of Anaconda.
Accompanied by old friends Claire (Thandiwe Newton) and Kenny (Steve Zahn), the group’s amateur production takes a dark turn when they encounter illegal mining operations and a real-life giant anaconda. What was meant to be a nostalgic passion project quickly devolves into a desperate exercise in survival.
Analysis: The Highs and Lows
The Good: A Likable Cast
- Chemistry: The film’s limited appeal rests almost entirely on the shoulders of its veteran cast.
- Performance: Paul Rudd masters the “quiet insecurity” of his character, while Jack Black provides flashes of genuine conviction.
- Scene-Stealer: Steve Zahn is the highlight, turning his character’s incompetence into the film’s few truly amusing moments.
- Themes: The movie is at its best when it ignores the snakes and focuses on the “middle-aged creative regret” of its protagonists.
The Bad: Lacks Bite
- Weak Satire: For a film about pointless reboots, the jokes never sharpen into a meaningful critique.
- Horror Deficit: The horror elements feel like a chore. The CGI snake is larger than the 1997 version but carries none of the same menace.
- Tame Action: The PG-13 rating drains the film of shock value, resulting in weightless action and cautious staging.
The Verdict
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Anaconda mistakes self-awareness for quality. It understands that IP maintenance is often hollow, yet it becomes the very thing it tries to parody. It is a mildly agreeable but ultimately forgettable film that is neither sharp enough to be a great comedy nor bold enough to be a thrilling horror.
Film Details
- Cast: Paul Rudd, Jack Black, Thandiwe Newton, Steve Zahn, Daniela Melchior, Selton Mello
- Director: Tom Gormican
- Genre: Horror / Comedy