Richard Crouse

SYNOPSIS: In “Anaconda,” a new comedy starring Jack Black, Paul Rudd and Thandiwe Newton now playing in theatres, a group of lifelong friends get more than they bargained for when they act on their childhood dream of making a movie.

CAST: Paul Rudd, Jack Black, Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior, and Selton Mello. Directed by Tom Gormican.

REVIEW: Is “Anaconda” a remake of the cheesy 1997 JLo action horror film, or is it an homage, a parody, or a “spiritual sequel” as Jack Black’s character calls the movie-within-the-movie? Truth is, it’s all those things.

Ronald (Paul Rudd) and Doug (Jack Black) were inspired to make movies after watching the 1997 cult film “Anaconda” over thirty times in theatres. Their homemade flick, a Bigfoot inspired monster movie called “Squatch” didn’t lead to bigger things, and now Doug makes wedding videos in his hometown while Ronald struggles to make a go of it as an actor in Los Angeles.

Reunited at Doug’s birthday, Ronald announces that he has the rights to “Anaconda.”

“What are you going to do with them?” asks Doug.

“Not me,” Ronald says. “Us.”

He convinces Doug and pals Kenny (Steve Zahn) and Claire (Thandiwe Newton) to remake the Jlo actioner “indie style” on location in the Amazon.

Once on site their lo-fi shoot spirals out of control as they get involved with Illegal gold miners, an off-kilter snake wrangler and a real anaconda the size of a dinosaur. We came out here to make Anaconda,” says Doug, “and now we’re in it.”

“Anaconda” is a silly but amiable and enjoyable story of following your dreams. Doug and Ronald are lovable losers, in a shared mid-life crisis, whose optimism is infectious, even when they’re being chased by a giant snake.

Most of the humour is character driven, from Black’s high-energy routine and Rudd’s immaculate timing to Zahn’s scene stealing stoner act and Newton’s up-for-anything Claire. They’re a fun ensemble that keeps the laughs coming, even when the movie leans into the horror dynamic in the film’s second half, which is a good thing given that the horror isn’t scary and the action is shot mostly in close-ups which narrows the focus in the big set pieces. But no matter, you’ll likely be laughing too much to mind.

As a comedy based on the unintentionally funny original film, “Anaconda” lovingly pokes fun at the original 1997 movie, while simultaneously celebrating its cheeseball charm.