When I think about how to write this review of "Cocaine Bear," I admit that I am tempted to say, "We need more cocaine and more bears." But when I saw that "Cocaine Bear" starts out with a silly, silly attack and never gets too serious, I realized that the lack of drugs and drugged animals is not really the problem.
"Cocaine Bear," if you got here without hearing the elevator pitch, is a perfect farce action/comedy based on a real-life incident: in 1985, a drug smuggler drops cocaine in the woods of Tennessee and accidentally turns Pablo Escobare and accidentally gives the cocaine to a bear with the nickname "Pablo Escobare.
The best thing I can say in praise of "Cocaine Bear" is that it is proof that cinema has not become stale, and you can still see the original attention-grabbing film in theaters. The worst part is that I had to check the time on my watch a few times.
Sure, the titular Cocaine Bear has some great moments (one of which has already aired in the trailer), and that's great. However, this review of Cocaine Bear explains that the real Cocaine Bear is the friends he makes in the process.
"Cocaine Bear" is also scheduled to air on Peacock this spring or summer.Without spoiling the shock and surprise, the biggest twist in the whole "Cocaine Bear" movie is that it is all about family. Sari (Keri Russell) is a mother trying to find her runaway daughter Dee Dee (Brooklyn Prince), who has gone off with Henry (Christian Convery).
The kids rebel because of mom's new boyfriend and get caught up in a thrilling, nonsensical adventure. Convery pulls off a bizarre one-liner that is probably the best in the film.
They all contrast with a family of rogues with Sid (Ray Liotta) who forces his son Eddie (Alden Ehrenreich) and his pal David (O'Shea Jackson Jr.) to hunt for missing cocaine (yes, this is based on a true story) that was thrown out of a plane Contrast. Sid is a bad father, and Liotta never misses an opportunity to "slap" Ehrenreich with an angry line to prove it. David feels like the more realistic character in the group, but Sid and Eddie's dysfunctional relationship enhances the acting and helps drive the plot forward.
Meanwhile, Bob (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) is a cop on the trail of missing cocaine. He is, however, preoccupied with his dog. Whitlock Jr., who you may remember as the soft-spoken Clay Davis in THE WIRE, is perfect as this down-on-his-luck cop. There is also, no doubt, a family story to be picked up: three dumb thugs who roam the park and try to terrorize everyone.
I could say more about "Family," but I won't ruin one of the film's best moments.
The best and worst moments of "Cocaine Bear" have to do with the main character, the bear. Elizabeth Banks finally realizes Homer Simpson's dream of a poochie.
From fantastic chase scenes to hilarious scenes involving tall trees, Cocaine Bear always adds flair to the film. Perhaps Banks & Co. didn't want to overdo it, so they didn't introduce more of the main characters, but the moments without him felt lacking.
However, the more gruesome and violent scenes (most of which are the result of the bears' actions) are entertaining enough for the audience.
If you enjoy the slightly bloody comic mayhem of a bear who has become obsessed with nose candy. You should buy tickets to "Cocaine Bear" ASAP.
Also, "Cocaine Bear" co-star Alden Ayenreich is much funnier in this movie than in "Solo" from Star Wars, in which he played a young Han Solo. So please don't tarnish "Cocaine Bear" with his past work.
Finally, this review of "Cocaine Bear" needs to mention that this is Ray Liotta's last film, and it feels like a dark and perfect ending. Liotta's Sid borrows a bit of a note from some of the scrappiest men he has ever played in film, which melds "Cocaine Bear" into the larger drug movie universe.
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