Verdict: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Action / Adventure / Horror-Comedy
Run Time: 1h 48m
Director: Tom Gormican
Cast: Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior
The “Snake” Is Back—And It’s Eating Its Own Tail
In an era dominated by gritty reboots and serious legacy sequels, Anaconda (2025) slithers onto the screen with a refreshingly absurd premise: What if you loved the 1997 original so much that you tried to remake it yourself, only to run into the actual monster?
Directed by Tom Gormican (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent), this film is less of a horror remake and more of a love letter to 90s creature features, wrapped in a buddy-comedy package. Anchored by the infectious chemistry of Jack Black and Paul Rudd, Anaconda delivers a wild, laugh-out-loud ride that knows exactly what it is—and bites down hard on the fun factor.
The Plot: A Remake Gone Wrong
Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) are two best friends stuck in the rut of mid-life. Their glory days are behind them, but their shared obsession with the 1997 cult classic Anaconda remains. In a desperate bid to recapture their youth and creative spark, they convince a motley crew of friends—including the eccentric Kenny (Steve Zahn) and the skeptical Claire (Thandiwe Newton)—to head into the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Their goal? To shoot a “spiritual successor” to their favorite snake movie on a shoestring budget. The problem? The Amazon doesn’t care about their shooting schedule.
What starts as a hapless production plagued by bad acting and humidity quickly spirals into chaos when they encounter a very real, very massive Anaconda. Suddenly, the fake screams turn real, and the friends must channel their knowledge of horror movie tropes to survive.
Why You Should Watch It
- Black & Rudd: The Dream Team: It is genuinely shocking that it took this long for Jack Black and Paul Rudd to co-lead a major comedy. Their dynamic is effortless. Rudd plays the straight man with his signature dry wit, while Black brings the manic, high-energy enthusiasm that makes you root for him even when he’s making terrible decisions.
- Meta-Comedy Done Right: The film is packed with “inside baseball” jokes about filmmaking, Hollywood reboots, and the original 1997 movie. Fans of the original will appreciate the respectful nods (and a few surprising cameos), but you don’t need to be a die-hard fan to get the jokes.
- The “Creature” Effects: While the film leans heavy on comedy, the snake itself is a legitimate threat. The mix of CGI and practical effects pays homage to the B-movie charm of the 90s while utilizing modern tech to make the predator feel massive and dangerous.
- Steve Zahn Steals the Show: While the leads are fantastic, Steve Zahn’s performance as Kenny—the wildcard of the group—provides some of the movie’s biggest belly laughs.
Final Thoughts
Anaconda (2025) doesn’t try to be Citizen Kane; it tries to be a riotous Friday night popcorn movie, and it succeeds with flying colors. It’s a movie about friendship, nostalgia, and the stupidity of messing with nature. If you want scares, you’ll get a few, but if you want to smile for two hours straight, this is the holiday blockbuster you’ve been waiting for.
Recommended for Fans Of:
- Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
- The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
- Tropic Thunder
- Tremors
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