Our Flick of the Week is “Anaconda,” a surprisingly good creature-on-the-loose picture even though in a number of its most exciting scenes you can plainly see that the giant snake is a complete animatronic creation. My advice is to sit far back in a big theater and maybe then it won’t be so obvious.
But let’s face it, the shark in “Jaws” wasn’t that great either. What makes both films work is our deep-seated fears of objects that knife through the water and slither through grass. And one other thing — creepy supporting characters. The shark hunter in “Jaws” (the late, great Robert Shaw) and the snake hunter in “Anaconda” (Jon Voight) are key to both films. Voight, in what could have been an embarrassing role for an Oscar winner but isn’t, plays an Amazon snake bounty hunter who defines the word creepy as much as Dennis Hopper in “Blue Velvet.”
When rescued by an American film crew (including Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube) doing a documentary on a lost Indian tribe, Voight’s character immediately takes over their boat and brings about the snake attacks. They are handled with increasing audacity and humor by director Luis Llosa.
“Anaconda” is not in the same league as “Jaws”; it has only one memorable human character — not three — but it is a fun experience to be sure. I only wish the motion picture academy would take notice of Voight’s performance. He risks making a fool of himself, but brings genuine drama and joy to the role. And co-starring with an animatronic snake is tougher than working opposite Dustin Hoffman or Jane Fonda, wouldn’t you say? PG-13. (star) (star) (star)
– GROSSE POINTE BLANK. An often amusing story about a professional hit man who takes on an assignment that brings him close to his 10-year high-school reunion. John Cusack plays the contract killer who bumps into an old flame (Minnie Driver) there and tries to make good after standing her up at the senior prom. Their relationship is what makes this story work; the killer stuff seems forced by comparison. R. (star) (star) (star)
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