WeeklySA_AdminFilm: Anaconda
Genre: Comedy / Adventure / Creature Feature
Director: Tom Gormican
Writers: Tom Gormican & Kevin Etten
Producers: Brad Fuller & Andrew Form
Cast: Jack Black, Steve Zahn, Paul Rudd, Thandiwe Newton, Ice Cube
The latest Anaconda reboot blends comedy and adventure as a group of struggling filmmakers chase their dream — and a deadly snake — in the Australian wilderness.l
By Priscilla Malinga
Steve Zahn, who plays Ken, once again proves he can make audiences laugh without even saying a word. Jack Black, who plays Doug, matches that energy perfectly, delivering a performance that adds humour and charm to the film.
Together, these two actors help transform the new Sony Anaconda — inspired by the original film written by Hans Bauer, Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr. — into a creature feature that is as funny as it is adventurous.
Paul Rudd appears as Griff, bringing his familiar romantic-comedy style to the role, while Thandiwe Newton, who plays Claire, delivers another strong and polished performance.
The story follows a group of filmmakers whose careers have not turned out the way they hoped. Being fired is never easy, but instead of giving up, they decide to tackle their frustrations the only way they know how — by chasing a bold filmmaking dream.
The film is set in Australia, a perfect location given its reputation for unusual wildlife and vast natural landscapes. The river scenes and lush wilderness create a beautiful backdrop that adds to the film’s adventurous feel.
The expedition begins when the group travels by boat along a remote river in search of the perfect filming location. Their plan is simple: shoot a scene featuring a friendly snake owned by a local handler.
But things quickly go wrong when the snake is accidentally killed during filming.
The devastated cast even arranges a small funeral for the animal. Determined not to abandon the project, they decide to search the wilderness for a real anaconda to continue filming.
That decision leads them into a dangerous — and hilarious — situation far beyond anything they expected.
At its core, Anaconda is a story about filmmakers chasing their dream despite failed careers and missed opportunities. A group of childhood friends reunite with one goal: to make their movie no matter what obstacles stand in their way.
The humour throughout the film suggests the cast themselves must have had plenty of fun during production. Some scenes are so amusing it is hard to imagine anyone staying serious while filming them.
Steve Zahn, in particular, brings constant laughter. Ever since his appearance in National Security, he has had a knack for turning even small moments into comedic highlights.
Complications arise when the group continues filming without securing the proper license from the owners of the Anaconda franchise. Their plan becomes even more awkward when another crew passes them on a boat, claiming they hold the official rights to film an Anaconda movie.
One crew member even reveals they are working with Ice Cube and that Sony is producing another version of the film.
When the group discovers that Griff misled them about the licensing rights, they are shocked — but they decide to continue their adventure anyway.
Their situation becomes even more intense when they encounter a giant anaconda while trying to escape the wilderness.
In a surprising twist, they run into Ice Cube himself, whose crew has also suffered an attack after their boat was damaged during filming.
Ice Cube eventually reaches an agreement with them: they will work together to trap the giant snake while using the opportunity to complete their movie.
Many films try to combine horror and comedy, but not all succeed. Often the balance between the two genres becomes confusing.
Anaconda manages to keep the concept clear and entertaining. It is funny, engaging and easy to follow, making it a perfect film for a relaxed movie night with friends or family.
Beyond the humour, the film carries a simple message — dreams can still come true even after setbacks. Sometimes people must take unexpected risks to make those dreams a reality.
The story also pays tribute to the original Anaconda film, suggesting the writers have a deep appreciation for the franchise.
The ending is particularly enjoyable, especially the surprise appearance by Jennifer Lopez at Doug’s house, offering him a deal — a moment fans of the original movie will appreciate.
Overall, Anaconda is a fun and entertaining film that blends comedy, adventure and nostalgia.
Credit goes to Sony, director and writer Tom Gormican, writer Kevin Etten, and producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form for bringing the project to life.
Anaconda is currently available to buy on Apple TV and has been available to rent since 4 March. Rating (4/5)
