The first reactions for Jack Black and Paul Rudd’s new spin on a ’90s classic have landed, ahead of the movie’s release next week. Anaconda, which arrives in US cinemas on Christmas Day and arrives in the UK on Boxing Day, also stars Steve Zahn and Thandiwe Newton.
In the action comedy, Rudd plays background actor Griff and Black is wedding videographer Doug; two pals who seek to reclaim their youth by traveling to the Amazon to film an amateur remake of the 1997 movie Anaconda.
The whole endeavour becomes something of a meta-reboot when a giant anaconda actually does emerge, leaving the two pals scrambling to stay alive.
Critic Peter Gray has shared on X that it’s “one of the funniest movies of the year”, adding: “Spiritually aligned with TROPIC THUNDER, this is very much a love letter to film fanatics. Black & Rudd are dynamite, Selton Mello the shock MVP. Stay for the credits!”
Journalist and critic Hunter Bolding posted: “Anaconda is easily the most surprising movie of the year for me. It was gut-busting, somehow has Easter eggs from the Anaconda series, and a shocking amount of heart. I haven’t laughed this hard in a theater in a while.”
Sony Pictures
Related: Best streaming services
The HoloFiles summarised: “ANACONDA doesn’t quite make the most of its creative meta premise, but it’s still a lot of fun with plenty of self-referential humor & silly set-pieces.
“Paul Rudd & Jack Black are hilarious, but Steve Zahn is the real scene stealer. Some fun twists & surprises too.”
Andre Saint-Albin wrote: “Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Steve Zahn, and Thandiwe Newton have insane chemistry, bouncing off each other like old friends in total chaos mode, and the cast clicks flawlessly. Best part? Some awesome surprises that the trailers and ads wisely kept secret!
“If you’re looking for a funny, stress-free good time at the movies this holiday season, Anaconda nails it. Go see it!”
Sony Pictures
Related: UK film release dates
Rosa Parra echoed: “I had a blast with #AnacondaMovie. Didn’t expect to laugh as much as I did. It’s unapologetically meta & I loved it!
“As a fan of the 1997 film, this was the perfect follow-up. Black & Rudd are the perfect comedy duo. Loved the message of never giving up on your dreams. This is how you do a “remake”! I loved it! I was pleasantly surprised.”
The original 1997 Anaconda starred Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voight and Owen Wilson, and spawned a string of sequels. It became a box office-topping hit despite lukewarm reviews, and went on to be nominated for six Razzie Awards.
Anaconda is out on 26 December in the UK.
Love TV? Get your Christmas viewing sorted with the Good Housekeeping Christmas TV Guide, featuring 14 days of Christmas TV listings, plus everything you need for the ultimate festive viewing experience! Just £4.75 – available now at Morrisons, TG Jones and all other good magazine retailers.
Shaun is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, with over a decade of experience reporting on all things pop culture. He has written for outlets including Metro, Attitude, Huffington Post, The Mirror, Yahoo!, Pink News and Express Online; specialising in TV, movies, soaps, music and LGBTQ+ issues. He is also a BAFTA Rocliffe-winning scriptwriter, having written episodes of the soap Hollyoaks, the official Steps musical Here & Now and multiple Offie Award-nominated plays. He studied English Literature and Drama at the University of East Anglia, and will happily talk at length about Desperate Housewives to anyone who’ll listen.