Destined to become an instant cult classic, "Snakes on a Plane" delivers everything expected from a movie about snakes on a plane, and more.
The awesomely bad movie is so completely ridiculous that viewers are guaranteed to be laughing hysterically from the opening to the closing credits, and will probably cough up the dough to see it a second time.
"Snakes on a Plane" is truly a one of a kind phenomenon. Nearly a year before its release date, a strong Internet buzz began to circulate due to its incomprehensively unambiguous title. The movie's title, combined with the casting of America's foul-mouthed favorite Samuel L. Jackson ("Pulp Fiction"), resulted in an instant hype.
Propaganda ranging from rap and techno songs to books and t-shirts have begun to emerge on the World Wide Web as a result. After taking notice to all of the unlikely publicity their movie was getting, the filmmakers re-shot several scenes, adding enough sex, violence, and bad language to make sure that audiences got what they wanted.
In fact, Samuel L. Jackson's most celebrated line in the movie, "Enough of these motherf**kin' snakes on this motherf**kin' plane," was added in postproduction after the writers saw it in a popular web spoof.
As everyone might have guessed, the plot simply centers around snakes on a plane. When a callous mob boss threatens to take the life of a fundamental murder witness, it becomes Jackson's duty to protect him on his red eye flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles.
What the carefree passengers don't know is that the mob boss has smuggled hundreds of poisonous snakes on board, rigged with a timer that will release them mid-flight. Furthermore, he has also sprayed the passengers' Hawaiian leis (a customary parting gift) with a dangerous pheromone that makes the snakes go temporarily insane.
Once the snakes are released, all hell brakes loose. Director David R. Ellis ("Cellular") was willing to incorporate tons of cheesy clich?(c)s and ludicrous snake attacks to entertain the audience at all costs, and he succeeded brilliantly. The movie is well aware of its "cheese factor," as it intentionally exploits itself with nonstop obscene events that unfold one after another, each sillier than the next. The movie may not by categorized in the comedy genre, but it's not often there's a film as funny this.
Of course, the success of the film can't be credited to the snakes alone. Samuel L. Jackson is more badass than ever as a fearless snake slayer. From punching snakes in the head, to shocking them with stun guns, Jackson seems to know a hundred ways to skin a snake. His hard hitting, over the top style fits the film perfectly, which really couldn't be any more ridiculous.
The film also features an equally amusing supporting cast. Kenan Thompson of "Good Burger" plays a passenger with a knack for hitting snakes with tray tables and whose best friend happens to be suffering from an unfortunate snakebite. Luckily for the eventually pilot-less flight, Kenan has lots of flying experience after receiving the second highest score on the flight simulator video game for his PSP (PlayStation Portable).
Julianna Margulies ("ER"), plays the head flight attendant who seems a little too calm after both pilots are killed by snakes. In fact, half the cast is actually killed by snakes in this movie. The film's complete and utter disregard for human life is delightful.
Viewers should be warned: do not go into this movie expecting a serious, dramatic thriller. If someone can't find the humor in a man who, while occupying the lavatory, gets bitten on his genitals and exclaims, "there's a snake on my d**k!", then perhaps this movie isn't for them. But honestly, they'd be missing out.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
