Review: 'Anaconda' (1997)

Disclosure: I received a free Blu-ray for review.

Set to make its Blu-ray debut on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, the 1997 adventure-horror film Anaconda, helmed by director Luis Llosa, brings together a noteworthy cast that includes Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voight, Eric Stoltz, and Owen Wilson.

Despite earning scathing critiques and snagging six nominations from the Razzie Awards, Anaconda defied the odds to become a box office sensation in 1997. The film sowed the seeds for a sequel, Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid, released in 2004, and spawned two modestly received made-for-Syfy sequels: Anaconda 3: Offspring and Anacondas: Trail of Blood. Moreover, its impact rippled through the genre, inspiring a slew of low-budget knock-offs that typically find their home on Syfy.

The plot unfolds around a documentary film crew led by the ambitious anthropologist, Steve Cale, played by Eric Stoltz. Cale’s team includes the determined director Terri Flores (portrayed by Jennifer Lopez), the quick-witted cameraman Danny Rich (Ice Cube), production manager Denise Kalberg (Kari Wuhrer), the somewhat hapless sound engineer Gary Dixon (Owen Wilson), and producer/narrator Warren Westridge (Jonathan Hyde). Their ambitious journey along the Amazon River is intended to capture the elusive Shirishama tribe on film.

However, their mission takes an unexpected turn when they encounter the dubious snake hunter Paul Serone, played by Jon Voight, whose sinking boat becomes a lifeline for the crew. But as he seizes command of their vessel, it becomes painfully clear that Serone harbors ulterior motives; his true obsession lies not with the Shirishama but with the hunt for a monstrous anaconda.

While Anaconda may fall short in realism—after all, one can hardly believe that a single snake could rack up so many victims in such little time—it thrives in the realm of horror. The film blends outrageous thrills with a sprinkle of self-aware humor, ultimately delivering a creature feature that, for all its absurdity, remains a guilty pleasure. With its commendable cast and striking special effects, Anaconda earns its place among the pantheon of snake-themed horror, managing to be both entertaining and utterly ridiculous. ╌★★★✰✰

〜B.J. Burgess