The Reel Review
A group of amateur filmmakers, all super fans of the 1997 camp classic Anaconda starring Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube, journey to the Amazon rainforest to make their own low budget reboot of the film. But when they come across an actual giant anaconda, they must fight for their lives… and finish the production. Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn star in this action/adventure comedy.
Co-writer/director Tom Gormican (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, That Awkward Moment) tries to make this meta movie about making a movie a fun thrill ride, but sadly there isn’t enough loud pop music or acting star power to distract from a dull screenplay that lacks oomph, a fake-looking CGI snake that has minimal screentime, and a complete lack of laughs. The film’s only chuckle involves Jack Black and that is heavily teased in the film’s trailer.
With a profit of $133 million (off of an estimated $45 million budget), this Anaconda is little more than a blatant studio cash grab with Easter egg cameos to capitalize on the public’s affection for the original cheeseball thriller. At least the cast looked like it was having fun.
REEL FACTS
• Jack Black was cast in the film after Nicholas Cage asked for rewrites to make his character more like Jon Voight’s the in the 1997 film.
• Tom Gormican asked Pedro Pascal to play the role that ended up going to Paul Rudd when Pascal couldn’t do it due to scheduling conflicts.
•Although set in the Brazilian rainforest near the city of Manaus, Anaconda was filmed in Queensland, Australia.
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