The latest film to bear the name ‘Anaconda’ sheds the skin of its 1997 horror-adventure predecessor, emerging not as a straightforward remake but as a self-aware comedy about the very act of rebooting a movie. The result is a film that works best when it leans into the easy chemistry of its two leads and the silliness of its premise, even if its attempts at genre thrills often fall flat.
The story centers on Doug, a frustrated wedding videographer, and his childhood friend Griff, a struggling actor. Their mundane lives are upended when Griff claims to have secured the rights to remake the cult creature feature they adored as teens. Seizing the chance to chase their cinematic dreams, they recruit a couple of friends and embark on a shoestring production to film their own version of ‘Anaconda’ on location in the Amazon.
Initially, the film risks sentimentality with its underdog narrative. However, it finds its footing not in satire, but in the genuine, amiable dynamic between the central duo. The most engaging sequences involve the makeshift crew brainstorming their film, debating its themes, and navigating the absurd logistics of their endeavor. The comedy here feels organic, driven by character rather than forced gags.
The director, whose previous work also played with Hollywood meta-humor, is on surer ground with these comedic, character-driven moments than with suspense. When the plot necessitates actual danger—in the form of a giant snake far more formidable than the one they’re filming—the movie stumbles. Attempts to build tension feel undercooked and schematic, more like placeholders for thriller sequences than fully realized scenes. A subplot involving a mysterious local boat captain suffers from inconsistent writing, leaving the character frustratingly undefined.
Visually, the new serpent boasts more polished digital effects than the 1997 version’s dated CGI, though this comes at the cost of the charmingly tactile, if clunky, practical effects that gave the original a certain nostalgic appeal.
Ultimately, this ‘Anaconda’ is best approached not as a horror-comedy hybrid, but as a broad studio comedy that happens to involve a giant snake. It succeeds as a vehicle for its charismatic stars and as a surprisingly warm ode to amateur filmmaking passion. While it may not reach the comedic heights of classic films about chaotic movie productions, it delivers enough laughs and heart to justify its own existence. The film is a testament to the idea that sometimes, the story behind the movie can be more entertaining than the monster it’s trying to film.