The Midnight Horror: Anaconda (1997)

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

Are you deeply afraid of snakes?

Me? Not at all, in fact, I have a surprising fondness for them. Just don’t get me started on spiders—I’m decidedly less enchanted by those little eight-legged monsters. Snakes, however, hold a special place in my heart, particularly when it comes to the genre of creature features. Among these, the 1997 film Anaconda reigns supreme in my cinematic library, a nostalgic flick featuring a young Jennifer Lopez, alongside Ice Cube, Jon Voight, Owen Wilson, Jonathan Hyde, Kari Wuhrer, Vincent Castellanos, and a cameo by the ever-memorable Danny Trejo.

I still remember the thrill of skipping school just to watch Anaconda the day it landed on VHS. A true escapade for an avid young moviegoer!

As a side note to the kids out there: please don’t follow my example.

Anaconda (PG-13; 89 minutes; originally retailing for $14.98) has recently been re-released on Blu-ray and DVD by Mill Creek Entertainment. This film previously received a Blu-ray release back in 2014, which I had the pleasure of reviewing on this very blog. (Take a look at my review here!)

Directed by Luis Llosa, the film follows a documentary crew led by anthropologist Steve Cole (Eric Stoltz) and director Terri Flores (Jennifer Lopez) as they venture into the Amazon River in search of the elusive Shirishamas tribe. Their trek takes an unexpected turn when they rescue Paul Serone (Jon Voight), a snake hunter adrift in a sinking boat.

But here’s the catch: as soon as Serone joins the crew, things begin to spiral. When crew member Cale (Owen Wilson) gets stung by a wasp, leaving him unconscious, Serone takes the opportunity to assert his control, conveniently offering to steer them to safety. Little do they know that his real intention is to pursue the terrifying Anaconda that lurks in the river’s depths.

I’ve often pondered why Anaconda garnered such scathing reviews from critics upon release, despite a few, like the late Roger Ebert, singing its praises. Sure, the plot is a tad flimsy, but the acting is solid, and the special effects—an amalgamation of practical effects and the CGI of the late '90s—still manage to evoke a sense of nostalgia, even if some aspects show their age.

However, this Blu-ray release is barren of any special features or bonus content, aside from a fresh cover art design on the jacket. The only notable difference between this version and the 2014 release is that DVD inclusion. The sound quality is acceptable, but I must admit that a few scenes suffer from a grainy picture quality and a somewhat muted, grayish tint.

All things considered, Anaconda is an undeniably fun creature feature that deserves a spot on your shelf. While this latest release might not be flawless, it’s worth picking up if you can snag it at a reasonable price. ╌★★★✩✩

〜B.J. Burgess