Life can be stranger than fiction, and sometimes, these instances can translate into equally bizarre movies. “Cocaine Bear” is one of those films, with a premise that is as unlikely as the story that inspired it.
In 1985, a drug smuggler on a plane dropped packs of cocaine into the American wilderness, expecting his colleagues to retrieve them later. Unfortunately for the druggies, the stash was discovered by a black bear – which proceeded to consume the stuff with gusto.
The bear likely had the time of its life before finally expiring from an overdose; its autopsy would read: “Its stomach was literally packed to the brim with cocaine.” Pablo Escobear’s taxidermied remains are still on display in a Kentucky mall, often donning silly hats.
It’s quite the story, so naturally, Hollywood has decided to adapt it into a movie. Directed by actress Elizabeth Banks (“The Hunger Games”, “Charlie’s Angels”), it tells a fictionalised version of what happened to the crackhead bruin.
As in real life, the story begins with the cocaine drop and the smuggler plunging to his death when his parachute fails to work. The narrative then splits into multiple directions, introducing characters whose paths will eventually cross courtesy of Druggie the Pooh.
First is nurse and single mother Sari (Keri Russell), who heads out into the national park in search of her daughter Deirdre (Brooklyn Prince), and Deirdre’s classmate Henry (Christian Convery).
Next are drug smugglers Daveed (O’Shea Jackson Jr) and Eddie (Alden Ehrenreich), sent to retrieve the stash by Eddie’s dad Syd, played by the late, great Ray Liotta.
Lastly, you have police officer Bob (Isiah Whitlock Jr), who is following a tip-off on the possible location of the drugs.
Fun fact: the real-life bear was not recorded to have killed anyone – instead, it merely succumbed to a drug-induced stupor – but in this depiction, it mauls, and mauls hard.
There’s no shortage of characters here, which is a good thing since it’s probably no spoiler to reveal that a good chunk of them (and there are plenty of chunks) don’t make it to the end alive.
As indicated by its age restriction, “Cocaine Bear” is certainly not suitable for kids, what with the whole matter of drug use.
Add to it the no-holds-barred displays of gore, many of which are hilariously over-the-top: heads shot right through and ripped off, limbs sent a-flying, faces dragged across asphalt. Fun!
To its credit, the film seems to recognise the ridiculousness of its premise and thoroughly revels in it.
That said, despite how excessive these kills are, the filmmakers have done a great job at making the titular beast scary. If you’ve read reports on bear attacks, you’d already know that going up against one of them is no laughing matter, capable as they are of tearing any human from limb to limb.
As such, having an apex predator be a cokehead is one way of creating a killing machine that’s on the prowl to fulfil its next high.
In terms of animation, the bear is sufficiently realistic and expressive in most scenes – although when it breathes in its fix, its widening eyes and ascent into nirvana may elicit giggles from moviegoers.
And while watching its antics is entertaining enough, the characters do add to the appeal of the film. Some you’ll be happy to see turned into bear chow, while others are worth rooting for.
Of note are Daveed and Eddie, a comedic pair: the former is practical and straight-minded; the latter an emotional wreck following the passing of his wife. To watch them working off each other is a joy.
As a dark comedy, “Cocaine Bear” throws a handful of jokes to the audience, though not all of them hit their mark. Still, these aren’t overtly cringey and do not tarnish the overall entertainment value of the film.
Long story snort (heh), if you are looking for a ridiculous movie inspired by equally ridiculous events, check out “Cocaine Bear” and see if it is indeed your fix.
As of press time, ‘Cocaine Bear’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.