The anaconda series is an interesting one for me. While it's definitely not a good series, it has its moments and is mostly harmless fun. However, in terms of comparing the first film and this one, for all its faults I'd actually say this one is the superior film.Yes, despite being set in Borneo where anacondas don't live, this film takes itself a lot more seriously than the first one. Dwight Little I'm a big fan of, and his style is definitely present throughout. The acting too for the most part is pretty good and it's beautifully shot. I don't think I've ever seen such a rich jungle environment. The snake effects too look so much better than the first one and, admittedly quite shockingly, this movie answers some logic questions from the first movie, the main one being how are these snakes growing so big/killing so many people so quicklyAll in all it's not a great movie, but it's still pretty enjoyable

Anacondas: The Hunt for Blood Orchid (2004): Dir: Dwight Little / Cast: Johnny Messner, Kadee Strickland, Morris Chestnut, Matthew Marsden, Karl Yune: Despite complaints, I found Anaconda somewhat enjoyable fast pace thriller. How unfortunate that it is followed up with this over expensive mess. This is not connected to the original film other than it has more than one snake. Setup is rushed with researchers needing a boat to head out into the middle of nowhere to find a rare flower that is only in bloom for another two weeks and will not be available again for many years. It apparently has some sort of youth formula. Puh-lease! Dwight Little directs half-heartedly using way too many close ups of a paranoid monkey. Perhaps it was embarrassed with the film it was caught in. Little previously made Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. Cast includes Johnny Messner, Kadee Strickland, Morris Chestnut, and Matthew Marsden and they are all there to be fast food for giant snakes. Did any of these hopefuls actually consider this a good career move or did they walk into this like brave job suicide? The first film received much criticism but its pacing and action allows it to be at least an entertaining watch. Pointless sequel with only its slithery effects to compliment otherwise forget Blood Orchid and hunt for the nearest toilet to dispatch this film into. Score: 1 / 10

The first Anaconda was exceptional with a realistic created puppet version of the snake, some eye candy courtesy of 'Jennifer Lopez',the creepy portrayal of an out of control frantic by 'Jon Voight' and 'Ice Cube' whom supposedly was to spark some flavor to the movie.Despite the not so good storyline it all worked well and the movie was a box office success.But then the sequel came through with a well written storyline,catchy dialog and not so famous actors whom all were heading for the biggest break in the careers had the movie become a hit.The atmosphere was well groomed as the audience worldwide was anticipating a sequel where there would be more snakes and more people to feed from, but the latter failsMake no mistake though as the plot unfolds well with good characterization 'although some of the actors depiction of the characters were too bogus as well as aggravating such as 'Jonny Messner' as 'Bill Johnson' in the lead role',who was intended to be atrocious and charming,but turned out to be more misplaced and feeble.The only convincing actor was 'Eugene Byrd' as 'Cole' who turned out to be in the wrong movie.The production design was terrific.The action is far too over the top especially the scene with the crocodile and the snakes movements are too unbelievable making the movie fade away from its original concept of using puppets.It doesn't build up and creep up on you as its predecessor and other movies of animals attacking people like 'Jaws'(which was done on a shoestring budget),'The Ghost & The Darkness' (which is packed with the fright and the seriousness of a jungle horror adventure).Instead what the director 'Dwight Little' wanted to achieve turns into humor as it all happens too fast and leaves a lot to the mind.I found myself laughing most of the time than having the lights scared out of me and wanting to know when will it end.Anaconds 2 could have worked well as a comedy instead.I recommend it for those who are looking for an adventure but with nothing serious in mind and very forgettable.

Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid takes a second-rate idea and stockpiles it with third-rate characters but a first-rate setting. Clearly a film with ambition, yet financial and writing limitations, to call it poorly made is simply far too extreme, yet to call it a worthy sequel to is predecessor is going too far.I'm one of the few who appreciated the original 1997 Anaconda, with Ice Cube and Jennifer Lopez headlining the picture. What can I say? I'm biased towards films where creatures of nature are human's enemies and considering they're an easy genre to find but not an easy one to do well, if the film has gleefully corny aspects, decently likable characters, and some fun little instances with its characters caught in the middle, I can appreciate them when I consider the genre they belong to. In terms of "creature features," I have always been particularly very fond of the famous Tremors franchise, but that's a whole other story I'm not willing to retell.Our story concerns a group of researchers off to explore the island of Borneo, where deep in the jungle exists the mysterious and precious "blood orchid," a plant whose powers could provide humans with a longer, healthier lifestyle and quite possibly rid them of any current diseases. The researchers are Jack (Matthew Marsden), Ben (Nicholas Gonzalez), Gordon (Morris Chestnut), and Tran (Karl Yune), Samantha (KaDee Strickland), Gail (Salli Richardson-Whitfield), and Cole (Eugene Byrd), all commanded by the likes of the cut-throat Bill Johnson (Johnny Messner). Many of the characters are notably capable, with the exception of the dead-end Cole, who seems to be just itching to say the next loud, unnecessary zinger.So, they venture out to this island, it's raining like hell, everyone's patience are thin, and just to give things a little extra spice, there is a giant, man-eating anaconda who has just found some men to chew on. After one of the members is eaten, one of the characters, Bill, I believe, makes the assumption that the anaconda will no longer feast after being filled up by one of their researchers...unless it's mating season. And, yes; it's that time of year.Back to the third-rate characters, it seems as if there is nothing holding these thin characters together but glue and duct tape. They're horrible oversimplifications of recognizable humans, and are cut from the thinnest, ugliest cloth that their appeal (as characters not as actors, who are mostly efficient) wears dreadfully thin. Fortunately, they exist in a film with fine, vibrant cinematography, equal parts intoxicating and mesmerizing. Much like in the first Anaconda, there is something so pleasantly real about hearing the annoying chirping of bugs and almost feeling the sticky, moist sweat of the humidity-soaked jungle. It's a tasteless environment captured perfectly on screen.The scares are pretty mild, where as in Anaconda they were somewhat enjoyable. The effects are clearly limited, but not appalling. It's a creature feature, so one shouldn't expect the CGI to be that of high artistry, but what bothers me is how indistinct, dark, and murky everything is for most of the film. When night falls is when most of the action occurs, and we're plagued by dim, blurry darkness for much of the film.Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid is a rather unremarkable stroll through the jungle of making a sequel for a nineties film in 2004 "just because." The film is only made slightly memorable because of Matthew Marsden and Johnny Messner's gifted performances, and its overall impressively cinematography. However, what it mainly lacks is direction, fun, surprise, scares, and most importantly, the 1997 film's biggest asset; Jon Voight.Starring: Johnny Messner, KaDee Strickland, Matthew Marsden, Nicholas Gonzalez, Eugene Byrd, Karl Yune, Salli Richardson, and Morris Chestnut. Directed by: Dwight H. Little.