Now out streaming digitally and for purchase on Blu-ray, this insane story based on true events provides a wild and entertaining ride from start to finish.
“Inspired by the 1985 true story of a drug runner’s plane crash, missing cocaine, and the black bear that ate it, this wild dark comedy finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists, and teens converging in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound apex predator has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow–and blood.”
During the build up to this story that’s so insane it has to be true, there was a lot of hype, especially in the area I live, which supposedly had the actual bear on display. The trailer to this film was absolutely crazy, and the film was nothing short of that, and more, when unsuspecting hikers, families, criminals and police all cross paths with Cocaine Bear.
Elizabeth Banks met with some harsh criticisms during her last directing gig, Charlie’s Angels. While this action reboot failed to materialize, the absurdity of Cocaine Bear seemed to be familiar territory for her, with her early work on Wet Hot American Summer with David Wain. While it doesn’t quite get to that level of unhindered strangeness that David Wain is known for, it does have that same type of overall feel, and fans of that type of humor would feel right at home with this film.
The cast is what makes the film work, especially working opposite a strung-out death machine. Keri Russell provides an exceedingly solid performance, grounding the film in the more mature and emotional aspect of the story as she desperately searches for her daughter and her friend lost in the woods. The relationship between the characters of Eddie (Alden Ehrenreich) and Daveed (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) started as rather dull, but quickly became one of my favorite things in the film once they are paired with one of the punk kids (Aaron Holliday), in which their dynamic becomes easily one of the funniest parts. Jesse Tyler Ferguson also is a delight and hilarious as one of the wildlife experts hiking in the mountains. Last but not least, a bittersweet moment realizing that this is Ray Liotta’s last film, with the film released mere months after his death.
Cocaine Bear isn’t trying to re-invent the wheel. It’s a simple story with an absurd premise that just happens to be based on true events. How much these events are stretched for entertainment purposes, I’ll figure that out by watching the documentary also available for streaming. That being said, it’s a combination of the actors, direction and writing that culminate into a fun and crazy ride. Another film I’m often reminded of in relation to this one is Snakes on a Plane. Seeing that one with a midnight crowd, everyone there knew what they were in store for and didn’t pretend it was anything different. I can only imagine how much better Cocaine Bear would have been if Sam Jackson was cursing the bear to get out of his mother-f-ing State Park. Cocaine Bear didn’t have quite the same energy with the audience that Snakes did, but it was still a blast to watch, especially with a group of friends who enjoy a little bit of the absurd.
We were given a digital code to review this film, which is now available to stream on Peacock, or to purchase digitally or on Blu-ray, which contains several featurettes, commentary, gag reels and deleted scenes, with superior video and audio, something that cannot be accurately reviewed based on internet connections. With the wealth of extra supplemental material on the physical disc and consistent video/audio quality, the Blu-ray would be the route I would take. The film is highly recommended as it’s a fun and wild ride that you won’t forget.