Jack Black and Paul Rudd's 'Anaconda' Reboot Is a 'Meandering Mess,' Says Scathing Early Review

The promise seemed sky-high: reunite two of comedy's most beloved actors, and, to reboot the 1997 creature feature 'Anaconda'. With a zany trailer hinting at hilarious chaos, the film was poised to be a perfect gift for moviegoers. However, a blistering early review suggests the final product is far from what fans wished for, calling it an 'overlong, convoluted action-comedy' that wastes its star power.

Directed by Tom Gormican, the 2025 'Anaconda' centers on two childhood best friends (Black and Rudd) who venture into the Amazon to shoot their own reboot of the snake movie. According to the review, the film quickly abandons this charming, meta concept.

Instead of focusing on the 'do-it-yourself' charm of indie filmmaking, the screenplay reportedly gets bogged down by a 'far from thrilling' thriller subplot involving their riverboat captain. The review notes that once the giant snake appears, the characters seem to forget they are making a movie at all, failing to capitalize on the found-footage potential or the very premise that drew audiences in.

The most damning criticism is aimed at what the review calls a 'bonkers choice' in casting., an actor known for his intense comedic charisma, is bafflingly cast as the 'straight man' meant to set up punchlines for others. The review argues this decision constricts his dynamic energy and is a 'waste of his unparalleled comedic brilliance.'

This leads to an 'awkward chemistry' with, and the rest of the talented cast, including Thandiwe Newton and Daniela Melchior, are given thinly written, clichéd roles that offer little opportunity to shine. The result is a 'meandering mess' that fails as both an action film and a comedy.