Admirable film.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Sexy Jennifer Lopez, evil Jon Voight and Mr Cool Owen Wilson are on a boat attacked by a giant snake.As an another reviewer noted, this flick has sort of a retro Creature From The Black Lagoon-feel to it which draws me in. Also, a touch of a disaster movie as we have a mixed bunch of people stuck in a confined space (a small boat).The music score, which nicely plays under the dialogue, is very effective.The now dated CGI does a bit of damage to the flick as a whole, but with a cast like Lopez/Voight/Wilson...we have other things to focus on.

A guilty pleasure that's still fun & amusing, Anaconda was one of those famous B-movies that used to air a lot on TV when I was a kid and whenever I caught a glimpse of it while switching channels, I'd usually end up staying till the end. Creature feature was my go-to genre while growing up and this, along with Jurassic Park & Godzilla, were amongst my favorites.Looking back today, it is difficult to ignore the multitudes of issues that plague this flick but back then, things like direction, screenplay, acting, plot structure, character arcs or themes etc didn't mean a thing to me. The only stuff that mattered was whether I'll be entertained or not. It was the only factor that decided the fate of any movie in my book. And in many ways, it still does.Set in the Amazon jungles, the story of Anaconda follows a documentary film crew that comes across a stranded snake hunter and allow him to get on board. The atmosphere changes soon as the crew finds itself uncomfortable around the new guy who, after a series of tragedies, takes command of the boat & the crew and makes them help him in his quest to capture the world's largest & deadliest snake.Directed by Luis Llosa, the first act is dull and it is only after the titular serpent surfaces that things get interesting. The script serves the bare serviceable minimum for a horror flick, dialogues are corny, characters are bland but its skillful camera-work & clever angles, in addition to its isolated setting, help in retaining an aura of suspense and is effective in bits n pieces.The visual effects appear dated but it's still impressive in a few places. Everything about the anaconda is exaggerated to ridiculous proportions yet it adds to the fun & its campy tone. The film features a number of people who later went on to make a name for themselves in the Hollywood industry but it's Jon Voight who steals the show with his crazy, sinister & over-the-top rendition of the snake hunter.On an overall scale, Anaconda exhibits all the ingredients that are responsible for bringing a film down yet it manages to stay afloat for the majority of its runtime. There are a few hiccups along the way but the ride is enjoyable for the most part and in the end, it is more satisfying & entertaining than other similar examples. An adventure that's not devoid of thrills & a horror that packs some good chills, Anaconda is well-deserving of its cult status. Worth a shot.

Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voight, Jonathan Hyde and Eric Stoltz star in this 1997 thriller. Lopez (Selena) plays Terri, a filmmaker who tries to make a documentary depicting the Amazon river and an ancient tribe that resides there. Soon, she and her crew find a mysterious man, Serone (Voight) who is stranded and help him. They discover he's a snake hunter who tries using them as bait to catch a giant, deadly snake that stalks them. Cube plays Terri's friend, Danny, Hyde (Richie Rich) plays professor, Westridge and Stoltz (Pulp Fiction) plays professor, Cale. This isn't great, but not bad, the cast is OK and the Anaconda is creepy. This is one of many creature features that followed in the footsteps of "Jaws" and I recommend it if you enjoy killer things in the water.

Anaconda (1997): Dir: Luis Llosa / Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Jon Voight, Ice Cube, Eric Stoltz, Kari Wuhrer: Interesting camera angle transcends from the snake's mouth as it devours a victim whom will give a sadistic wink as he is regurgitation. Snakes are a common fear and that occurs to a group of researchers scouting for a lost tribe. After assisting Jon Voight from a boat wreckage Eric Stoltz is injured and laid up and in need of medical attention. Voight is out to capture the large reptile alive. Director Luis Llosa creates an ominous atmosphere. He previously made Sniper as well as the action flop The Specialist. Voight steals the film as the icy villain who at one point, breaks someone's neck using only his legs. He will come to learn that anacondas are a creature that is best left alone. The rest of the cast are introduced quickly and are mainly issued as menu items for the snake. Jennifer Lopez does display a smart and resourceful heroine. Ice Cube is featured in fine form among the crew. Stoltz is wasted in a role where he mainly catches up on sleep. Kari Wuhrer has a tense scene where Voight chokes her out using only his legs. The snake itself is effective but real anacondas cannot move that swift on land. Film argues the power of such creatures as the structure of a face is visible within its body as it swims past the camera. It is an often exciting thriller that puts the squeeze on the audience. Score: 8 ½ / 10