Cocaine Bear (2023) Movie Review

“Cocaine Bear” is not just another movie about animals; it’s a movie about a bear that has ingested a considerable amount of cocaine and gone on a rampage in the forest. The movie is a blend of comedy, action, and thriller genres. Director Elizabeth Banks’ movie is not profound, but it is an incredible blast to watch, particularly in a packed theater. The communal experience is crucial here, as it brings people together and saves cinema.

The movie is a high-concept film that centers around a black bear in Georgia that consumes cocaine dropped from an airplane by a drug smuggler in 1985. Jimmy Warden wrote the screenplay based on the bear’s true story. The movie then takes audiences through what might have happened if the bear had gotten hooked on cocaine rather than died from it. An eclectic ensemble of hikers, rangers, criminals, and police officers find themselves in her path and, in particular, in trouble when she is in need of her next fix.

The movie’s excesses are evident from the beginning, with Matthew Rhys, unrecognizable, dumping duffel bags of powder while mixing in a line or two, with the intention of retrieving them later. Several people go on a hunt for the drugs, including Alden Ehrenreich and O’Shea Jackson Jr., who play a pair of mismatched buddy drug dealers. They are joined by Ray Liotta, playing their humorless boss in his final film role, recalling one of his signature performances in “Goodfellas,” and a police detective from the Kentucky town where the smuggler’s plane eventually crashed, played by Isiah Whitlock Jr., perfectly deadpan as ever. Other characters wandering around the woods that day include a randy Margo Martindale as a park ranger and Jesse Tyler Ferguson as a wildlife specialist. A bunch of doofus teenagers, a determined single mom, Keri Russell, looking for her 13-year-old daughter, Brooklynn Prince, and her daughter’s friend, Christian Convery, who ditched school to visit the falls are also in the woods.

Much of the joy of “Cocaine Bear” comes from the bear’s look, which is surprisingly high-tech for a cheesy, silly movie. Stuntman Allan Henry’s motion-capture performance and CGI from the legendary New Zealand house Weta FX bring the bear to life. They’ve anthropomorphized the animal to a knowing extreme but have achieved enough realism to make the bear’s attacks harrowing. The bear's violence is often graphic and gory, and the ways in which she ingests cocaine are quite inventive, such as doing a line off a leg she has just severed. One sequence, involving the bear, a fleeing ambulance, and Depeche Mode’s catchy “Just Can’t Get Enough,” is a tour de force of pacing and tone.

Mark Mothersbaugh’s score adds the perfect synth touch to the film, and the period-specific needle drops, costume, and production design are on point without being obvious parodies. The posters that adorn the teenage Prince’s walls are especially inspired.

As the movie progresses, some standout supporting players evolve in surprising ways, such as Scott Seiss as a paramedic and Aaron Holliday as one of the obnoxious teens. The bear is so gleeful in her cocaine consumption and her attacks that audiences may find themselves rooting for her to succeed.

Ultimately, though, the film’s success lies in its willingness to be exactly what it is: a raunchy, violent, and thoroughly entertaining romp through the woods with a cocaine-addicted bear. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and it doesn't try to be anything more than a fun ride for the audience. This is a movie that knows exactly what it is and embraces it fully, creating a singular cinematic experience that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

In conclusion, "Cocaine Bear" is a wild ride that delivers on its promise of violence, humour, and drug-addled mayhem. With a top-notch cast, stunning visuals, and a killer soundtrack, it's a movie that demands to be seen on the big screen with a rowdy audience. While it may not be for everyone, those who can appreciate its unique blend of dark comedy and creature feature horror will find themselves thoroughly entertained. It's a movie that marks a new chapter in cinematic history, one that will be remembered for years to come as a shining example of the power of pure, unadulterated entertainment.