Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Anaconda

Reviewed by: Phil Layton
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: 17-28
Genre: Action Adventure
Length: 90 min.
Year of Release: 1997
USA Release:
Featuring Jon Voight, Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Eric Stoltz, Jonathan Hyde, Kari Wuhrer, Owen Wilson, Vincent Castellanos, Danny Trejo
Director Luis Llosa
Producer
Distributor
Distributor: Columbia Pictures. Trademark logo.
Columbia Pictures
, a division of Sony Pictures

Just when you thought you’d seen it all with movies about natural disasters, volcanos, tornados, and aliens, Sony Pictures comes out with a monster-piece that tops them all off, so to speak. Yes, indeed, an entire movie dedicated to a forty-foot long slimy, slippery snake practically the size of Leviathan. Unfortunately, the film didn’t even live up to the “scary” B-movies of the seventies, and I’ve seen better special effects on home videos. In case you didn’t guess by the preview, this flick is no “Jaws” blockbuster; it’s not even up there with “Congo”. Before I get too far into this review, I must confess that Ice Cube was the best actor in the film, which should already tell you something.

We join our all-star cast on a Brazilian jungle cruise, hoping to make a documentary on a legendary lost tribe deep in the Amazon. All is well until the boat (and movie) loses course when Danny Trejo, a python poacher, joins ship. Our motley crew consists of an American who talks about how the river makes him “horny,” a British gentleman who tees off at least 1,392 golf balls from the boats' deck during the course of the film, two females whose job is wearing tight clothing, locals who don’t sound anything like the accents of my Brazil native friends, and, of course, our hero—Mr. Cube, our Photographer / Rapper / Serpent-slayer. At first we ignore the acting (I’ve seen better in high school plays) and expect some half-baked “Jurassic Park” thriller or at least some “Jaws”-style action. But our fears subside when we see the fake snake up close and realize the only thing scary is how this script managed to slither by Sony Pictures executives onto the big screen.

Now for the bad news: In one of the more realistic scenes, an underwater cockroach swims into the mouth of our American friend (I’m not sure how it managed to get through his Scuba gear, face mask, and mouth-piece). And the big boa isn’t like those big heavy snakes at the zoo, mind you. These mechanical computer-animated beasts defy both physics and logic, travel faster than cheetahs, don’t die when set on fire, and they seem to be able to fly. In one scene, when the British guy falls off a 60 ft. waterfall, our Super-Serpent, still at the top, swoops down and catches him in midair, swallowing him while dangling in space. But nothing beats the scene when the already-eaten bad guy is barfed back up, and winks at Ms. Lopez—in all his regurgitated splendor!!!

You get the picture. The only reason I’m wasting my time in writing this is so you won’t waste your money watching it. In all fairness, a couple guys said they thought the show was all right. 1 Cor 6:12 reminds us, “All things are permissable but not all things are profitable.” In all movies and endeavors we undertake, we should consider Paul’s words.

Christian note: This film is rated PG-13 for some swearing and violence like guy’s eyes popping out, which look more like painted ping-pong balls. There is no sex or full nudity in this film.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
This Movie just FLAT OUT STUNK! …too dumb for teens and adults …too dumb and weird/scary for kids and just a waste of time and money to watch. Quite a bit of cussing, and one minor sex scene (kissing and a shirt is slightly unbuttoned). This movie is on my top 10 stupidest movie list and you shouldn’t even waste your time on it. Did I mention that the special effects and acting stunk also.
Toby Flournoy, age 18
Your rating was quite accurate. Although it wasn’t the WORST movie I’d ever seen, I would agree in putting it behind CONGO. It wouldn’t have been too bad if the special effects had been better—I’m surprised they were that bad in this day and age. I was really glad I saw it on a free pass!
Paul, age 29
I thought the movie was fun just because it was so silly. Also, it wasn’t a cockroach that got in his scuba gear, it was a wasp that the bad guy (Jon Voight) put in his regulator BEFORE he got in the water. Regardless, who in their right mind would go jumping into the Amazon as much as these ridiculous people?!
Chris Coltharp, age 25
I think the movie was O.K. I mean they could have done better with the graphics. I have seen better movies than this, but I was scared at the end. I do recommend that you see this movie; after it comes on TV.
Cody Carver
It’s a real shame this movie caught “ID4”-itis. You see, I didn’t like “Indepenedence Day” and quite a few people didn't. What happened with it and “Anaconda” was that a lot of people were interested in them and went to see them during their opening weekends. They bought the ticket which doesn’t mean they will enjoy the film. Their precious $$$ they invested in these needlessly lame films made headlines as the movies were great financial successes. Needless to say, people trusted the money rather than common sense and word of mouth(which was terrible on this movie; everybody hated it!).
Michael C., age 15
Come on, now! “Anaconda” isn’t nearly as bad as that mess called “Congo”! “Congo” was just plain stupid. The only stupid thing about “Anaconda” was the script! The snake was cool; overall, I give the movie 3 stars. Strictly entertainment. Someone else must like it… it’s been #1 for the last 2 weeks. P.S. Did anyone notice Jon Voight’s ex-preacher character performing last rites while he’s killing people? Ain’t that a mess!!!
Chris Utley, age 24
This movie was soooooo BAD! You know a movie is pretty awful when the audience is laughing at the supposedly intense, suspenseful, scary parts. Jon Voight’s acting was as embarrassing as the special effects.
Michelle, age 29