Released Date: 1 September 2004

Synopsis (Courtesy from Columbia TriStar) :

A scientific expedition sets out for the island of Borneo. They are in search of a flower named the Black Orchid. Reports say that this flower can lead to a longer life. But what they find inhabiting the rainforest of Boorneo, are a group of anacondas. But they aren't ordinary... the Black Orchid made the anacondas longer, faster, and smarter. Now the scientists must find a way out of the rainforest by outsmarting, outrunning and outliving the anacondas.

Review:

This sequel to the 1997 hit (starring the yet unknown Diva Jennifer Lopez), has apparently nothing to associate with the first with the exception of the slithering ones of course. Embarking on the field trip are a group of gung-ho scientists in the hope that a fountain-of-youth discovery will jump-start their career and fortunes. The youth-preserving serum actually originates from a rare red orchid residing deep in the Borneo jungle (the actual location shooting is in Fiji), however it is heavily guarded by deadly predators. No prizes for those who managed to guess the outcome.

The whole setup and pacing is almost similar but seriously lacked a distinct character (think JLo and Jon Voight) and action pieces compared to the first. Once the crew got themselves thrown out of the boat after a waterfall mishap, the attacks started to come in, devouring the crew one after another. It's not long before the crew fall into shambles physically and mentally. Overcome by greed, the rest of the crew are forced by the lead scientist to continue the perilous journey.

The whole cast are make up of relatively unknown actors. Johnny Messner ("Tears of the Sun") who played the rugged guide, Bill Johnson, Kadee Strickland ("Stepford Wives", "Something Gotta Give") and Matthew Marsden ("Black Hawk Down"). Honestly, the main lead is the CG giant predator, the human actors are there to form up the whole "hostage situation" where there is no room for negotiation. Amazingly, after 7 long years since the original, the effects remained cheesy as ever, looking pathetically similar to traditionally drawn cartoons.

The director even thrown in a cute little monkey as Johnson's sidekick and a crocodile attack on the river to spice up the whole story. Unfortunately, the whole effort is too unexciting, unoriginal and bordering on the lines of cheap B-grade cheesy flicks. Prepare lots of snacks to go along and you will enjoy the whole slithering fun.

Movie Rating: C-

Review by Linus.T.