🐍Back with another giant anaconda on the big screen, and this time it’s a comedy—Jack Black takes the lead!🧔

Jack Black is, hands down, one of my favorite actors. I track every film he appears in and I’m always the first in line when it opens. What I love about his style is that he always plays the regular guy—no big bucks, no fancy career, no Hollywood hookups. Life tosses him a curveball or hands him a chance to step up, and his characters jump right into it, staying true to themselves and putting friends and family first. It feels like a real balance between life and work.

Jack’s also pretty much the only star who isn’t scared to poke fun at the modern Hollywood machine. I mean those endless, formulaic blockbusters that exist just to rake in cash and disappear fast. A perfect example is the movie “Rewind,” where his character is making movies just like in “Anaconda.”

According to the press, Jack is a die‑hard supporter of auteur cinema and constantly backs indie festivals. He even shines a light on non‑Hollywood projects in this film.

When I first heard Jack was attached to the new “Anaconda” reboot, I was honestly surprised someone actually dug up that dusty franchise. I grew up watching the original “Anaconda” on VHS, mostly because of its star‑studded cast—Jada Pinkett, Ice Cube, John …—and because I love monster flicks. I liked the first one, but the sequel was weak. So I thought, seriously, another one? This new film isn’t a sequel at all; it feels more like a parody, a string of jokes aimed at the original “Anaconda” series and horror movies in general. All the classic scary bits get mocked and knocked down a peg. Scary? Not really. Funny? Absolutely.

Heads‑up for the sensitive folks: the movie is packed with low‑brow jokes, and the actors often end up in gut‑wrenching situations. Bottom line, it’s not for the squeamish—I warned you. The production quality blew me away—stunning sets and on‑location shooting in the Amazon jungle really impressed me. The special effects are top‑notch! It feels like the filmmakers deliberately gave the giant anaconda a cartoonish look: its face looks like it’s snarling at humanity. Yet after it swallows Jack Black, you can almost see a grin appear. The snake’s scales look more like something Spielberg would give a dinosaur than a real reptile. All that makes the film far from scary, even though it’s rated 16+.

I’m pretty sure Jack Black writes his own lines and jokes. Otherwise, how would you explain that signature humor that keeps popping up? Not everyone gets or appreciates that style. Right now the film sits at about 5 stars on IMDb—not great at all.

Aside from Jack Black, the cast includes a bunch of recognizable faces. Each has a well‑crafted character, look, and vibe. But Jack is the clear lead—without his trademark antics and quirks the movie would be just another bland flick. That doesn’t mean the rest are bad; they’re just not as comedic. Strip Jack out and the comedy turns from sharp and energetic into something more lyrical and melodramatic. It was nice to spot Jay Low and Ice Cube, even if they only got tiny roles.

What would I improve about the movie? I’d give Jack Black more screen time! Even though he’s the lead, I think he didn’t get enough minutes. I really liked the film—it was exactly what I needed, especially for a New Year’s celebration!