What do you get when you combine a large airplane flying over the Pacific, countless venomous snakes, and one bad ass mutha-&!@#ing cop?
I just got back from seeing the HIGHLY ANTICIPATED Snakes on a Plane (or as my friend Matt cleverly nicknamed it “SOAP"), and all I can say right now is “wow!” I mean when I first heard about the idea of this movie I thought it was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard, yet I was also intrigued by the idea. I mean, when is the last time you saw a movie that had snakes on a plane? that’s right, you haven’t, so therefore the concept itself is an original one.
So what is the premise of the film you might ask, well let me explain it to you. On the beaches of Hawaii and unsuspecting tourist named Sean Jones (Nathan Phillips) witnesses the brutal murder of a prosecutor at the hands of the big time mobster Eddie Kim (Byron Lawson). Once Kim realizes someone has spotted him he sends out his hired goons to track the guy down and have him killed. When the goons finally track him down, and all hope seems to be lost, in steps Neville Flynn (played by my main man Samuel L. Jackson) a kick ass cop who’s hell-bent on taking Eddie Kim down for good. When Flynn realizes that Sean was a witness to Kim’s latest crime he decides to fly Sean out to LA so he can testify against Kim and help put him away for good. Unbeknownst to anyone, Eddie has filled the plane with countless poisoness snakes in the hopes that the snakes will cause the plane to crash, and kill the one person that can bring him down.
Sounds pretty intense right? well, it is. Now while most people think this movie is the biggest joke to come across Hollywood since someone decided J-Lo could act (wait did I say that?) there is definitely a market for films like this movie. I’ve heard a lot of people say things like "how can anyone want to see this movie? it’s about SNAKES ON A PLANE" and in my opinion they’ve just answered their own question. How can anyone want to see this movie? well, how the hell can they keep making those terrible Fast & The Furious movies? because something about the film appeals to a certain audience.
Going into a movie like this you have to (A) have a VERY open mind (B) realize this movie pokes fun at itself (the title backs that up) and (C) suspend all disbelief for 2hrs. In my estimation the Director and crew of this film had a meeting and said something along the lines of "ok look, we’re going to make a movie about snakes on a plane. We realize there’s no REALISTIC way to do this, so let’s have fun with it" and trust me when I say that fun was had.
On it’s own merit Snakes on a Plane is a good film. Now while some critics have bashed it, I would say don’t listen to them....listen to me. Anytime you put snakes in a film, it’s expected you’re going to get a few people to scream and cover their eyes....and trust me, there are plenty of times to do that during this film. Whether it’s a snake biting someone’s neck, swallowing someone whole, or my personal favorite, popping out of a toilet and attacking a guy while he’s peeing....the film definitely achieves the goal it set out to do...make people squirm and jump in their seats.
The acting is good for what the movie is. I mean none of these people are going to win Academy Awards for their performances in this film (why not is beyond me) but it’s safe to say that the actors in this film act in a way you’d expect anyone to act if there really were snakes on a plane. Sam Jackson plays the same cop character he plays in every film he’s in (which is great), and Julianna Margulies (who I was shocked to see in this film) does a decent job as Claire Miller, your run of the mill flight attendant with dreams of becoming a high profile lawyer, that suddenly finds herself fending of snakes....on a plane.
Again, if you go into this film expecting to see some cinematic masterpiece, well then you’re in luck....ha! actually my advice for anyone who even remotely wants to see this film, but is too ashamed to admit it is this: Keep a VERY open mind when you watch this film. Don’t expect to see the horror film of the century, and don’t expect to see a film that’s 100% based in reality. Guys, if you’ve got a date and you’re not sure where to take her....take her to see this because I can assure you she’ll be jumping out of her seat, and clinging to your arm halfway thru the movie (and we all know that’s what you want).
Snakes on a Plane is a great summer popcorn flick, that could’ve used just a LITTLE more “camp” but otherwise gets the job done. Honestly, the audience reaction alone is worth the $10 price of admission. Oh, and I would like to make special mention of the fact that it did me good to hear Sam Jackson spout the now classic line "I am sick and tired of these mutha-&^%$ing snakes on this mutha-&^%$ing plane!"....the man just has the best “mutha-&^%$er” in Hollywood.