Pam says:
Jack Black and Paul Rudd. That really should be enough, shouldn’t it? But if you need more convincing, here it is.
Black plays Doug McCallister, stuck in an unfulfilling job as a wedding photographer in Buffalo. His best friend Ron (Rudd) is the guy he once vowed to conquer Hollywood with as a filmmaker. Life, of course, had other plans. When Ron hits a rough patch, he comes up with what he believes is a brilliant idea: pitching a remake of “Anaconda” made by yours truly.
Doug reluctantly signs on along with their high school sidekick Kenny (Steve Zahn) and Ron’s longtime crush Claire (Thandiwe Newton). Armed with paperwork, questionable confidence, and wildly inflated expectations, the group leaves Buffalo and heads into the Amazon to begin their filmmaking adventure complete with a “trained” anaconda and its handler.
What follows is a gleefully ridiculous descent into jungle chaos as the group stumbles into a web of danger, deception, and increasingly sticky situations. The film is unapologetically silly at every turn, and that is precisely its charm. While the trailer admittedly gives away a bit too much spoiling a couple of fun cameos, the comedy still lands.
Black and Rudd are inspired together, their chemistry doing much of the heavy lifting. Zahn is an absolute scene-stealer, and Newton brings warmth and wit that rounds out the ensemble perfectly. Written and directed by Tom Gormican (“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” a favorite from 2022), the film feels like a natural continuation of his comedic sensibilities with its self-aware absurdity and entertainment value.
The special effects are impressive enough to make you gasp, but you’ll likely be laughing while you do. “Anaconda” is a quick, crowd-pleasing comedy that offers a much-needed escape asit delivers big laughs and lighthearted fun…isn’t that exactly what you need after the hustle and bustle of the holidays?
3 Stars
