Cocaine Bear
Rated: R
Run time: 95 minutes
Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭ (7/10)

“Cocaine Bear” is on crack. 

Literally. 

Inspired by the true event of 1985 where a nearly 200 pound black bear was found dead in the Chattahoochee National Forest near Blue Ridge Georgia after eating nearly 75 pounds, or $15 million worth of cocaine that had been pushed out of a plane. 

The bear simply was looking for a meal, found the loot of drugs and became the highest creature in the world. It’s speculated to have run around and eventually keeled over and died, never causing any harm other than to itself. 

After its timely death, the bear was found by a hunter who, after the initial confusion, alerted officials who upon the examination of the medical examiner was so stuffed with coke that you wouldn’t be able to add more if you tried. 

The bear then was taxidermied and passed around till he finally was placed in his final home of a tourist trap in Kentucky known as the Kentucky Fun Mall. 

This movie, however, tells a different story that runs with the absurdity such a situation could entail. 

Beginning with an accurate reenactment regarding the first part of the real life story, the film takes the opportunity to take a sharp turn into comedy. As the camera pans over vast shots of the wilderness, a quote materializes on screen: “Black Bears are not motivated territorially. They will seldom attack humans in their vicinity. When they do attack, victims have a higher chance of surviving by fighting back rather than submitting.” It is from Wikipedia. A site that can be edited by anyone. That quote alone sets up that this film isn’t going to be following true facts and It’s purposely written as a comedy/thriller and it follows that promise pretty well. 

Despite these comedic themes, the actual number of laughs in this film are limited, with many feeling out of place at times. As a thriller, however, it holds up. 

“Cocaine Bear” may not be a go to for horror junkie’s, but the film does hold its end of the bargain, keeping the viewer on the edge of their seat. With a bear as the killer, the gore factor is up in the air. Will it be similar to a bear attack, and feel like watching a dark, cometic documentary? Or will it follow many horror kills and add some that shock the viewer. “Cocaine Bear” does both. Starting as more stylized like a dark documentary, to more shocking kills before returning to documentary roots. In fact the kills grow in graphicness as the movie goes forth as well as the quality of the effects, with the first kill being a simple effect and more off screen to one of the final kills being so graphic that it’s only seen for a second in darkness before disappearing. 

Director Elizabeth Banks stated in an interview that despite the incredible prosthetics and close up it was cut. She hopes a director’s cut will allow this scene to get the credit it deserves.

“Cocaine Bear” can only be described as Yogi Bear if he was placed in the wild ride of the 80s. It’s a chaotic movie with twists and turns that make for a unique viewing experience. 

It’s not the greatest horror film but is a fun film for friends looking for a good time, leaving them screaming with insanity. It’s insanity has allowed it to get it’s spotlight, being nominated for Best Villain in MTV’s Movie and TV Awards, alongside “M3gan,” Wanda from “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” Vecna from “Stranger Things” and even Harry Styles in his film “Don’t Worry Darling.” 

This bear is taking on the world with her insane, fun filled film. Watch her rampage in theaters now.