"Credit where it's due: Sony's new Anaconda is an innovative bit of IP laundering. It follows four high school best friends who reunite in middle age to remake their favorite movie from 1997 - Luis Llosa's original, considered a cult classic, but by no means unimpeachable - only to find themselves in a predicament similar to the movie's premise. However, this initial spark is where the not-a-reboot's delights begin and end."
"In the opening prologue, we see a mysterious young woman, Ana (Daniela Melchior), escaping through the Amazon as armed gunmen give chase. Before long, one of these assailants is scooped up by a giant anaconda snake, in a manner that feels half-way between a jump scare reveal and matter-of-fact presentation. Right from the get-go, the presentation feels half-baked and noncommittal, setting the tone for what's to come."
"This somber introduction has all the audiovisual stylings of an action B-movie, but Anaconda soon pulls out of this cinematic mode for its more comedy-centric scenes, like a video game cut scene returning to game play. The contrast lessens, the depth of field increases, and the performances take on that studio comedy tone, where every actor is trying to out-improvise the other."
Four former high school friends reunite in middle age to remake a 1997 cult film and soon face circumstances mirroring the original movie's premise. The film opens with a somber Amazon prologue featuring Ana (Daniela Melchior) and a giant anaconda, but the presentation often feels half-baked and noncommittal. Tonal shifts move the film from action B-movie stylings into studio comedy, creating contrast and uneven performances as actors attempt improvisation. Comedy stars like Jack Black and Paul Rudd are present, yet laughs are sparse and straightforward action-thriller moments rarely cohere, producing a movie better suited for home viewing.
Read at Inverse
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