Anaconda (2025) Review: They Went Hunting For Footage, The Jungle Hunted Them First

source: tv.lk21

Synopsis:

Anaconda (2025) is not a straight remake of the 1997 film. Anaconda 2025 is a meta-reboot comedy directed by Tom Gormican (director of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent) and was released on December 25, 2025, with a runtime of 96 minutes. It tells the story of four childhood friends who feel stuck in midlife: Doug, Griff, Kenny, and Claire. Griff, an actor who is struggling to find work, claims to have obtained the rights to remake their favorite film: Anaconda 1997. They pool their money and go to the Amazon in Brazil to make a low-budget indie version. There they meet Ana, who claims to be the daughter of a boat operator, and Carlos Santiago, a snake handler. During filming, the real snake gets loose and they end up being attacked by a massive, real anaconda. It turns out Ana is an illegal gold miner on the run from the police.

The film becomes a mess: conflict between friends, Griff’s lie about the film rights, plus a wild anaconda roaming around. This is a self-aware comedy, not pure horror. The producers said the film was intentionally made to be funny, not scary. The chemistry between Jack Black and Paul Rudd is the main highlight. Their scenes trading jokes feel natural and improvised. However, critics say the film is inconsistent. It starts out funny and self-aware, but eventually becomes serious and loses momentum. Many say it’s “boring and not funny.”

This film stars: Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton and more.

In my opinion:

I know this is a 2025 film and it feels late to be reviewing it, but whatever. When I heard that Anaconda was being made again, I got excited—surely it would be cool, especially with today’s technology. Then I saw the cast lineup… Oh my God, seriously? Jack Black and Paul Rudd? This is going to be a non-serious film. And… I knew it! The film turned out to be a comedy. The story becomes a bit chaotic and the screen time for the anaconda itself isn’t that much except toward the end. The film deviated from my expectations, and I was even hoping that survivors from the previous film would appear, like Ice Cube and J-Lo (and they did show up as cameos).

From beginning to end, I didn’t feel tension at all—instead, I just laughed. Trust me, the scene where Jack Black carries a wild boar is hilarious. I don’t know why the idea of making a comedic version of Anaconda came to their minds. But you know, Jack Black and Paul Rudd are great actors, so I enjoyed the film even though it falls apart in terms of tension. The anaconda itself is actually terrifying, as big as a prehistoric snake. But thanks to the good cast, the film is somewhat saved. Add to that the solid visuals, audio, and cinematography, and it makes the film kind of “it’s okay” for a theatrical release. My message: please don’t do this again.

For me this one is 6.5/10.