Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid - PG-13

How on earth did this sequel ever get made?

Rating: PG-13 for violence, scary images and some language Studio: Screen Gems Directed By: Dwight Little Cast: Matthew Marsden Running Time: 90 minutes Release Date: 08/27/2004 Genre: Thriller

Common Sense Note

This movie is filled with nightmare material for kids -- the snakes are huge and terrifying. There are many close-ups of the snakes' mouths right before they swallow someone whole. In many of the action scenes, the anaconda regurgitates a body, leaving it hanging in trees, covered in what looks like saliva and blood.

Parents may want to reassure their kids that the snakes featured here were made of a combination of computer generation and an artificial model (and that real anacondas are not this big). Families could discuss the greed the characters initially feel, as well as the team's search for a fountain of youth. Would you want to live forever? Why or why not?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sherrice Perry

Although the original R-rated Anaconda was categorized among the "hits" in 1997 with its star-powered cast, it failed to provide its successor with a solid foundation on which to stand. Therefore, the sequel is nothing more than another B-movie with some suspense and a few entertaining lines.

The film began in a board room of a corporation. Gordon (Morris Chestnut) and Jack (Matthew Marsden) present research on a rare orchid that only blossoms every seven years. This special flower is rumored to hold the secret to eternal life. Gordon and Jack receive funding for an expedition from a corporation that Gail( Salli Richardson-Whitfield), an uptight, know-it-all, represents. With a research team and guide, Gordon and Gail set out into the jungle to retrieve samples of this magical orchid.

As in most films like this, the team finds itself stranded in the jungle in the midst of hungry and threatened anacondas. In addition to their troubles, Jack becomes so obsessed with becoming a millionaire that greed overpowers him. Thus, the remainder of the team must combat both Jack and the anacondas. In a struggle to make it out of the jungle alive, the team discovers that the same flower that may give humans extended life, subsequently, extended the anacondas' life, giving them the ability to become 'super' anacondas. Ridiculous!

While the characters and plot are both typical and predictable, the movie's suspense holds you to your seat. The snakes' surprise appearances are cool, but are guaranteed to frighten a younger child. An example of such is when one of the team members began celebrating after crawling out of a small tunnel without being devoured by an anaconda, only to be suddenly attacked by another anaconda.

Along with its suspense, the audience definitely seemed to appreciate its girl-power message. The theaters roared with great commotion and applause as one of the female characters stood up to her boss (Jack), telling him that he was out-numbered and that the hunt for the orchid was over. The same character also took the lead later in the film.

Although there are some exciting moments, overall, the film is a flop. Save your money for a real thriller.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content A couple of shots of a male's bare chest, a reference to a boat as "ugly, but she puts out" and references to having a one night stand.
Violence Many extremely tense scenes. There's a scene of a dead snake that has been sliced open in the mid-section of its body. In this open section is a human corpse hanging out, covered with blood, flies, and the like.
Language Some strong language.
Message
	Social Behavior In the beginning, almost every character is obsessed with money and the idea of becoming a billionaire.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco A bar scene in which a couple of characters drink and smoke.