I don’t think anyone could predict that one of the weirdest drug crime stories would turn in to a bona fide cult horror comedy– and then directed by Elizabeth Banks, of all people. Suffice it to say, though, “Cocaine Bear” despite being one of the many movie memes of the year, it does live up to being a wildly funny, and gory nature run amok movie. Banks’ comedic sensibilities are perfect for what is such an unabashedly silly horror comedy. “Cocaine Bear” is a movie that you either love or hate. It’s a movie you’ll accept in to your heart, or just outright reject with extreme prejudice. Oddly enough I haven’t seen too much middle ground when it applies to reacting to the movie and its success.
Based on real events, “Cocaine Bear” is set in the 1980’s where a massive shipment of cocaine is accidentally dropped in a forest in Chattahoochee. After a massive 500 pound black bear consumes the giant shipment of cocaine, it becomes a rabid, murderous coke fiend, slaughtering random hikers and passersby. Now it’s up to a single mom, a lone cop, and a group of gangsters on the hunt for the shipment, to find the black bear and put a stop to its murder spree.
“Cocaine Bear” hits the ground running a movie that’s primarily a bear attack movie with considerably interesting motivation. The killer bear in question is high on cocaine, and is fiending for more. It then clashes with a lot of hapless victims, and folks that have immediate access to the cocaine. This amounts to a lot of great action, some hilarious physical comedy, and brutal gore. The titular bear of cocaine is ruthless in its efforts to find more of its drug, and it tears through just about everyone in order to acquire it. The cast are all very good in their respective roles, to boot.
While I’d be hard pressed to call it a masterpiece of its sub-genre (it’s not even one of the best movies of 2023), “Cocaine Bear” is a great movie to watch with a small party, some beers, chips, and a big bowl.
Cocaine Bear – Maximum Rampage Edition comes packed with the Blu-Ray edition and a redeemable digital code for consumers. There’s an audio commentary with Director/Producer Elizabeth Banks and Producer Max Handelman. There’s an alternate ending for the film, as well as a nearly two minutes Gag Reel. There are almost five minutes worth of Deleted and Extended Scenes for the film.
All Roads Lead to Cokey: The Making of COCAINE BEAR is a nine minutes look at the genesis of the project, Elizabeth Banks discusses what she brings with her direction; there are talks about the experience of working with Elizabeth, the cast of the film and the bear performer. UnBEARable Bloodbath: Dissecting the Kills is an eight minutes piece about the stunts and special effects make-up in the film as well as the actors takes on doing these kills and attacks. Finally Doing Lines is a four minutes look at the cast who reads the directions in the script dramatically as some classy orchestral music plays.