This review was made possible by Popped attending an advanced screening of Anaconda.
There’s always this conversation amongst film buffs questioning the validity of a remake or a reboot. Many wonder what can this interpretation do differently than its predecessor yet maintain the aspects people loved. The original Anaconda, released in 1997, isn’t exactly Shakespeare, but it does get its flowers from its cult following. When news broke that the film was going to be getting a reboot, some immediately wrote it off, However once details about the films plot started to trickle out, it got increasingly obvious that this was not going to be an average reboot, and that this may be the only way that a film like Anaconda can be remade.
Welcome To The Jungle
In this interpretation of Anaconda, we follow four childhood friends, all finding themselves in a rut, Whether that be a dead-end job or a divorce. It isn’t until they reunite to celebrate Doug’s birthday, played by Jack Black, and learn that Griffin, played by Paul Rudd, now holds the rights to the film that they decide to bring their childhood dreams to life alongside Kenny and Claire, played by Steve Zahn and Thandiwe Newton respectively.
With a script and a dream, Doug and the gang quickly scrap together the cash to make this film a reality, teaming up with a zany snake handler named Santiago, played by Selton Mello, and chartering a boat to get them downriver, only to be met by Ana, played by Daniela Melchior, claiming to be the captain of said boat. When the cameras actually get rolling is when the film really starts to shine, the dynamics between our four and their unique personalities blend well to really bring a pretty funny film to life here.
This story that at its core, is about regret, looking back on life and the friends you’ve grown up with and wondering if this is where you want to be for the rest of your life. The film works the most when its able to focus on that aspect of the film and its characters, maintaining that for a good chunk of the film but begins to wane as the film trudges deeper into the horror/comedy angle of the film.
Man V Snake
The films biggest drag is with Melchior’s character, Ana, specifically the plot surrounding her. she isn’t bad in the role, its just what she’s given and the entire plot feels like a chore, underdeveloped and incredibly rushed. The subplot with Ana is meant to reflect a joke made about “themes” in the film, between Doug and Griff the two say that their film could be about how man is the real enemy and they try to play off of that with this and it falls pretty flat. It feels like the film doesn’t actually wanna commit to that but doesn’t know it, and once we get there it wants to be done with it as soon as possible.
You can understand why this is part of the films story, it just isn’t done well or effectively. Melchior is reduced to a pretty one note role that struggles to really even feel like a real character and more so as just a moving piece of a machine just helping make things happen. The culmination of the plot also feels pretty premature but only because the film remembers the snake in the room. The snake itself can feel like its taking a bit of a back seat and I am not so sure that’s a bad thing. The think the initial concept of friends trying to remake the original film is more interesting that a rehash of the originals premise, but the Anaconda is a welcome threat as this is…Anaconda. The charm of the practical puppets used in the original film is certainly missed, but it has certainly allowed for them to make a snake as big and bad as they possibly can.
Don’t Quit Your Day Job
Easily the best part of the film is its main cast. Jack Black is good but Steve Zahn is great, being given the funniest material for sure. What’s really great about Black’s performance is him not being type casted for once. Black has always been a well known figure in Hollywood for his exuberant approach to his roles, and while that still shines through here it doesn’t feel like the untamed wackiness that we’ve grown all too familiar with. The film actually gives him a real character to play, one that feels much more realistic and reigned in. The trailers don’t really let on about that, they actually seem to frame him as the goofy dude whose idea it is to go out into the middle of the rainforest and remake some b-movie from the late nineties.
Like previously stated, Zahn is easily the best part of the film. Kenny is the lovable screw up, a core member of the group who is just kind of a total mess at this whole life thing, down on his luck and eager to make this movie with his friends, he’s freshly buffalo sober and ready to kick some serpent ass. It’s really Zahn’s performance and impeccable comedic timing and delivery that sells the roll, he’s well cast and makes the most out of his material.
Rudd is probably mostly on par with Black in this film. The two of them have great chemistry as best friends, Rudd’s Griffin just plays it a lot more stoic, the brawn to Doug’s brains. He’s a Hollywood actor with something to prove, he needs this to work and without his friends he knows it doesn’t have a chance. The film makes some moves to rekindle a briefly mentioned romantic spark between Griffin and Newton’s Claire, it’s something that does not feel totally fleshed out but does become a recurring part of the film. Clair is probably the most level headed of the bunch, not too far off from Doug’s stability but certainly above it
The Only Way This Could Work
We’re tired of beating this dead horse, the conversations on reboots, remakes, and the legacy sequel are tiring and everyone has some sort of opinion on the matter. A movie like Anaconda being remade or rebooted isn’t news that wouldn’t exactly hype anyone up all that much. People love the original for what it is and that’s what makes that films status as a cult classic. The way they go about this retelling this story was really quite clever and may be the only way a film like this can be redone, as high concept as possible.
To set it in our world and focus in on the types of fans that have elevated this film to its cult status and have them try and remake it, only to come face to face with a nightmare serpent is really just plain fun. The film isn’t a huge think piece, who would expect this to be, but it goes and tries something that a lot of these remakes don’t. It pushes the boundaries of the original film and makes something that is able to stand on its own, and gets as unique as it possibly could be. That incredibly meta narrative just works really well for this film, especially when you’re able to call back to the original and make as many references and Jon Voight jokes as you want.
The films weaving between callbacks to the original film but also commitment to something new comes pretty full circle. As many already know, Ice Cube was confirmed to return in the film, having famously starred in the original 1997 version. While we’ll keep details on the extent of his role brief, the way that he is introduced and used is actually done quite well and as natural as it could’ve been, it also plays for a pretty good laugh. It’s not an appearance that really overshadows much of what’s going on in the rest of the film and the character doesn’t overstay his welcome, ultimately tying the film up pretty nicely, and going into meta infested waters some would never think to go.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t something that’s going to reinvent the wheel but it is something that is pretty damn enjoyable to say the least. A stellar cast with the comedic chops necessary to bring something as high concept and meta as this to life. Black and Rudd lead an often hilarious and action-packed, at its best when it shows its heart and focuses on its themes of regret. Anaconda was a very pleasant surprise, tripping over itself halfway through and struggling to find a tonal balance at times, the film is hilarious and is anchored by its delightful core four leading cast, a big surprise for sure.
