A group of friends is going through a midlife crisis. They decide to remake a favorite movie from their youth, but encounter unexpected events when they enter the jungle.
Upon first encountering the trailer for the new “Anaconda,” I was uncertain how to respond. The film presents itself as a reboot, yet the moment Jack Black and Paul Rudd’s characters announce their intention to remake the original, longtime fans, the premise struck me as somewhat absurd—though I admit my curiosity was piqued. My primary concern was that the film might devolve into mere parody; while the 1997 original was far from a cinematic masterpiece, it is nonetheless a hallmark of 1990s action-horror, notable for treating its subject matter with gravity. Fortunately, this new adaptation displays a similar respect for its genre while weaving in occasional comedic scenes that successfully lighten moments that might otherwise be intense.
Paul Rudd plays Ronald, who has long aspired to Hollywood stardom but remains confined to minor roles on TV, while his closest friend, Doug, portrayed by Jack Black, still resides in Ohio and makes a living filming weddings. When Doug arrives unexpectedly at Ronald’s birthday party, he delivers astonishing news to their circle—Ronald, Kenny (Steve Zahn), and Claire (Thandiwe Newton). Doug acquired the rights to the ANACONDA franchise after befriending the author’s spouse, whose work inspired the original film.
The friends, compelled by the opportunity to realize their shared childhood dream of making a feature film, journey to the Amazon, intending to shoot a new version. There, they encounter Santiago (Selton Mello), a skilled snake handler whose pet anaconda responds to his commands. As the group prepares to set out on the river, they meet Ana (Daniela Melchior), who says she is assuming her father’s duties as captain of their boat due to his illness—a claim that, as events unfold, proves to be deceptive.
Filming proceeds along the Amazon, but tension peaks when the script requires Ronald to interact at close range with the anaconda. Despite Santiago’s supervision, Ronald’s panic overtakes him; in his fright, he hurls the snake overboard, where the boat’s propeller fatally wounds it. Although he contritely apologizes, the situation quickly worsens: while venturing into the jungle that night to find another snake, Santiago vanishes, leaving Ronald to retreat in fear. The remaining group decides to abandon the project and return home, only to discover that a giant anaconda now stalks them, turning a filmmaking endeavor into a struggle for survival. The friends are reluctantly forced to hunt the creature before they themselves become its prey.
Writers Tom Gormican, Kevin Etten, and Hans Bauer clearly tailor the screenplay to highlight Jack Black and Paul Rudd’s comedic prowess, but crucially, the film never loses sight of its suspenseful underpinnings. The story manages a careful balance—it delivers humor, particularly an amusing sequence involving Black and a wild boar, without ever descending into outright parody. Instead, these lighter moments serve to temper the tension and provide the audience with some respite between the film’s more harrowing sequences.
While this latest “Anaconda” may not be destined for cinematic immortality, it strikes an admirable balance between suspense and levity, resulting in a viewing experience that is both entertaining and memorable.
In Theaters Thursday, December 25th
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