A wild and hilarious comedy thriller, Cocaine Bear, about a bear that starts attacking people after coming across the discarded drug, is most shockingly based on real events.
When I first heard about this movie, I had a very similar reaction to most people. “Um, what??” I wasn’t interested in seeing it at the time, but the idea has slowly grown on me. And then I heard that this was inspired by true events, so I definitely had to see how it played out.
Cocaine Bear is about a smuggling ring that loses a bunch of bricks of cocaine in the woods during a bungled fly-and-drop-the-drugs-over mission, and a bear that eats some and begins attacking people. At the same time, there are hikers in the woods, a few forest rangers and visitors, a couple of guys from the smuggling ring trying to find their drugs, and two kids who got lost while ditching school.
This film is hysterical. I easily belly-laughed a dozen times while watching it. The bear’s intention is not to hurt people, it wants more drugs. So anyone who gets in its way, or is holding something that used to contain cocaine, becomes a target for an attack.
Elizabeth Banks directed this film and, not only is she a genius director, producer, and actor, but I can just see her in a room with friends (who, in my little dream, are also professionals in the industry) going, “OH, you know what should happen next?” and making this wild fantasy come to life.
Everything in this film is over-the-top and played for laughs. You have to approach it that way or you will miss the hilarity. Deaths are drawn out with additional accidents, a body part from a previously injured person might drop onto someone, and the characters are mostly so ridiculous that you can’t help but laugh at them.
The score is also fantastic, with a constant feeling of being upbeat and fun, with whimsical “saga-like” sections and a few eerie moments. There are times where it feels like, while you are watching Cocaine Bear, ET is flying on a bike right next door, the music swells and uplifts so immensely.
This movie is a very funny love letter to the 80s as well. With Smokey The Bear making an appearance, Nancy Reagan and the “This is your brain on drugs” eggs commercial, Nike Air Force 1 shoes, a hot pink tracksuit, and shiny blue eye shadow, among much more, you are very clear that this is all happening in 1985.
Cocaine Bear is a great time that will either have you cackling like me or rolling your eyes – but hopefully the former. It was sidesplitting for me, down to the fact that, in a few scenes, a bear arm reaches out to grab something – and you know it’s either a hand on a stick or a human hand inside. Ridiculousness to the fullest.
While Cocaine Bear is inspired by a true story, in real life, the bear ate a bunch of cocaine and died. What happens here was written by Jimmy Warden and directed by Elizabeth Banks, and bottom line – this is a MUCH better story. Also, stay for the credits, you won’t regret it!
Runtime: 95 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Available: Free on Peacock, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
When I first heard about this movie, I had a very similar reaction to most people. “Um, what??” I wasn’t interested in seeing it at the time, but the idea has slowly grown on me. And then I heard that this was inspired by true events, so I definitely had to see how it played out.
