Cocaine Bear is clumsy. Its one-joke premise promises horror and humor, but the unsure script doesn't blend them. Instead, it undercuts itself. The film comes alive in spurts of gratuitous carnage, but that suspense always comes to a screeching halt with mediocre comedy and aimless stories. There are too many generic characters and nonsensical decisions. Ehrenreich and Martindale elevate their roles, but everyone else is trapped by weak banter and muddled tones. Expectedly, there's little growth, vulnerability, themes, surprises, or relatability, but the flat comedy and farcical tension make this underwhelming. Ultimately, Cocaine Bear is a thin idea without much wit to support it.
Technically, Cocaine Bear is uneven. It's tonally conflicted, its violence is weakened by cartoonish CGI, and its era production design is minimal. The visuals use motion, angles, framing, POV, depth, and focus, but with spotty meaning and a murky climax. Its 80s music utilizes juxtaposition once. The editing juggles several plotlines within a concise runtime, but the smash inserts are awkward and the momentum is muddled. Its cast is interesting but lacks a significant draw. Lastly, the audio provides stings, split cuts, off-screens, bear and gore sounds, emphasis, and a dual-meaning heartbeat. Overall, Cocaine Bear has its moments but is weighted down by fluff.
Writing: 3/10
Direction: 5/10
Cinematography: 6/10
Acting: 5/10
Editing: 6/10
Sound: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 6/10
Production Design: 6/10
Casting: 6/10
Effects: 6/10
Overall Score: 5.6/10
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