This new Anaconda tries to reinvent the franchise as a self-aware comedy about two friends attempting to remake the original film—only to end up facing a real giant snake. On paper, it sounds clever. In execution… not so much.

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The biggest issue is tone. The movie can’t decide what it wants to be. It starts off as a goofy satire, then randomly tries to become heartfelt, and occasionally pretends it’s still a creature feature. The result feels messy and unfocused. Critics pointed out that once it stops leaning into the joke, it just falls flat.

Even the comedy—arguably the whole point—doesn’t land consistently. While Jack Black goes full Jack Black (loud, chaotic, over-the-top), a lot of reviews say it becomes exhausting rather than funny. Some described the humor as “mild” or too sparse to carry the film.

The concept itself also frustrates critics. What could have been a sharp parody of reboots ends up feeling lazy, with one review calling it a “meta-sequel that squeezes all the fun out of its premise.”

And if you’re hoping for actual thrills? Don’t. The snake takes a backseat for most of the runtime, and the movie lacks the tension or memorable kills that made the original such a guilty pleasure. Some viewers even said it feels like a “safe, basic movie” that never commits to being scary or outrageous.

To be fair, not everything is terrible. The cast clearly looks like they’re having fun, and there are occasional moments where the meta-humor works. But those moments are too inconsistent to save the film.

Rating: 5/10

It’s not completely unwatchable—but it’s a disappointing, confused reboot that wastes a fun idea and a strong comedic cast. Instead of being “so bad it’s good” like the original, this one is just… forgettable.