Anaconda (2025)

After its release in UK cinemas at the end of last year. Sony’s novel, metatextual reboot of its 1997 Luis Llosa-directed Jennifer Lopez and Jon Voight-starring ANACONDA is now available on digital platforms from Sony.

Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) were childhood friends who dreamed of going to Hollywood and making movies, to the extent that they made their own monster opus ‘The Quatch’. While Griff went to LA and ended up as an actor in minor roles (“four episodes of SWAT”) Doug stayed at home where he became a wedding videographer, although he insists what he makes are “short films”.

It’s Doug’s birthday and as well as a VHS cassette of the long thought lost ‘The Quatch’ Griff has a proposal for him: Griff has recently acquired the rights to the film ANACONDA and wanted Doug to direct an ultra low budget remake in the Amazon with friends Claire (Thandiwe Newton) and Kenny (Steve Zahn). Despite getting a bank loan that’s even smaller than the minimal budget required off they go to the jungle where they meet up with a snake handler and his pet anaconda before travelling up the Amazon to make their magnum opus. But a number of surprises await them, not least that fact that Sony themselves are in the middle of making their own reboot. 

The basic idea behind ANACONDA 2025 is sound, the stars are appealing, and there are a number of in-jokes and a couple of laugh out loud moments. Overall, though, it feels a bit forced and just isn’t terribly funny, especially when you consider the talents involved. That said there are cameos to make you smile and a big explosive ending with an enormous CGI snake. If you want something to just pass the time this will do the trick if you’re not too demanding. 

At this point I would normally post a trailer but Sony have done another of their food tie-ins so instead I’ll leave you to decide if you want to watch the film and / or enjoy the Chicken Shop Big Bite meal, serving in restaurants across London:

ANACONDA is now available on Digital platforms from Sony