‘Anaconda’ Review: A Meta Sequel With Goofy Laughs and Familiar Faces

I have to say, the new Anaconda movie is a fun, silly ride! It definitely knows it’s building on a pretty cheesy original, and it leans into that, which I appreciated. The cast is full of familiar faces, and they all seem to be having a blast. Honestly, it doesn’t try to be a serious thriller – it’s pure escapism. There’s a bit where they try to add some big twists, but it doesn’t really matter because you’re just there for the goofy fun. It’s the perfect movie when you want to switch off your brain and avoid all the heavy, Oscar-worthy dramas or kids’ films that come out around the holidays. I went in expecting a good time, and that’s exactly what I got.

The movie starts with intense action in the Amazon rainforest, where a brave woman named Ana Almeida (Daniela Melchior) defies warnings and runs into the jungle, pursued by armed men. Simultaneously, we meet Ronald “Griff” Griffen Jr. (Paul Rudd), a struggling actor in Los Angeles, getting ready for a rare role. However, his performance on set quickly takes an unexpected turn, much to the surprise of his fellow actors and crew.

In Buffalo, New York, wedding videographer Doug McCallister (Jack Black) struggles to convince a couple to let him create a spooky engagement video. His wife, Malie (Ione Skye), tries to cheer him up on his birthday, but Doug is downhearted. He feels like a failed filmmaker who never followed his passions and accepts that he’s likely stuck filming weddings for the rest of his career.

Doug was surprised with a party thrown by his childhood friends. He was thrilled to see Griff, Claire Simons (who recently got divorced), and Kenny Trent, who filmed his wedding years ago. They spent the night happily remembering old times while watching home movies from high school. But the mood shifted when Griff revealed some shocking news: he’d managed to get the rights to remake Anaconda – the movie they all loved as kids – and he wanted to film it in South America with them.

The movie Anaconda starts strong with a good mix of comedy, emotion, and a little bit of suspense. While the reason Ana is being pursued remains unclear, the unhappiness of Griff, Doug, Claire, and Kenny is immediately apparent. These characters are all experiencing a midlife crisis and desperately want to recapture their youth. When a spontaneous opportunity arises to spend all their money on a creative project, they can’t resist. But what could happen when four inexperienced friends venture into the Amazon rainforest?

Sony Pictures Releasing

The story really gets going when they meet Santiago Braga (Selton Mello), the snake expert they hire after arriving in Brazil. He’s fantastic in the role, and his connection with his snake is a highlight. With Ana joining the group, they’re all set for a river journey that echoes the original Anaconda film. However, this is where the movie becomes less surprising. The experienced actors fall into familiar patterns, playing characters that feel like they’ve been lifted from their other popular films. While they don’t seem disengaged, it’s just the same well-worn routines we’ve seen many times before. Though Newton is a talented dramatic actress, she mostly serves as a love interest and a spectator throughout the adventure.

Whether you’ll enjoy the new Anaconda really depends on your perspective. If you’re a fan of the original, you’ll likely appreciate the references and cameos. The film also benefits from a strong cast of well-known comedic actors who have good chemistry. However, if you’ve seen Adam Black in similar adventure films or Paul Rudd play the friendly guy many times before, and aren’t familiar with the original Anaconda, you might find this movie repetitive and uninspired. Director Tom Gormican relies heavily on the audience’s pre-existing fondness for Rudd and Black, hoping their charm will carry the film, but it might not be enough for some viewers.

Sony Pictures Releasing

The movie features plenty of scenes of the snake eating its victims, as you’d expect. The director tries to create suspense with jump scares, but telegraphs every death – you’ll know exactly who’s in danger when the music stops and a character wanders into the snake’s path. While the snake attacks are reminiscent of the original film, the over-the-top finale reveals a limited imagination. The film’s humor fades as the story loses momentum, but there’s a brief scene after the credits that’s worth watching.

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Anaconda is a film produced by Columbia Pictures and Fully Formed Entertainment. Sony Pictures will release it in theaters on December 25th.

2025-12-23 20:11

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