When I first heard about Cocaine Bear, I was like, “What the heck is this?!” Then, I went to a screening for it and was like, “What the heck is this?!” I have seen plenty of horror/comedy films, but I have not seen anything like this film. As some of us already know, Cocaine Bear is inspired by the actual 1985 event where a black bear in a national park forest in Georgia found a duffel bag filled with cocaine and had ingested it. While we already know the fate real Cocaine Bear, Elizabeth Banks’ “Cocaine Bear” is too high to die. The humor begins right from the gate and does not stop. I found myself laughing most of the time be it from the antics of the bear running around higher than a kite or the humans that it encounters. Even the kills that occur are both humorous and creative. I’m not talking about them happening like off-screen or toned down in anyway. No, the deaths are in your face, and you cannot help but crack a smile at the ridiculous ways these people meet their end. Cocaine Bear not only brings the funny to an otherwise non-funny situation, it makes great use of jump scares and comedic timing.
Though he is not on screen much until the film’s climax, Ray Liotta’s role in this film marks one of his final performances before his untimely death in May 2022 and he is nothing short of amazing. From his interaction with the cast to the delivery of his dialogue, Liotta does an incredible job portraying drug kingpin Syd Dentwood. Liotta has played characters such as this in past films, so this role is not unfamiliar territory for him.
Now, let’s get to the real star of the show. The film’s titular character is just as outrageous as the story that inspired it. Not much is known about what happened from the time the real “Cocaine Bear” ingested several pounds of cocaine until its death. Thankfully, the film gives a possible answer. One can only imagine what happens to a apex predator high on coke and that imagination is what lead to the creation of this thing. This bear is off the chain, doing things that only a crackhead baribal can pull off. For crying out loud, even the bear had comedic timing and is worked out beautifully. And yes, the bear does a line of coke. The freaking thing does a line of coke. I died when I saw that.
Cocaine Bear is a contender for best comedy film so far in 2023. It has killer laughs, killer deaths and a crazy behind animal that is as outlandish as the original tale. Everyone is great in their roles especially Ray Liotta and Isiah Whitlock. The script and concept are imaginative, and the direction is great. This is a must-see film.
(Contains strong content – Viewer Discretion is advised)
