Snakes on a Plane (18 August 2006)
directed by David R. Ellis
starring Samuel L. Jackson, Julianna Margulies, Nathan Phillips, Rachel Blanchard, Flex Alexander, Kenan Thompson, Keith Dallas, Lin Shaye, Bruce James, Sunny Mabrey, Casey Dubois, Gerard Plunkett, Terry Chen, Emily Holmes, David Koechner, Todd Louiso, Taylor Kitsch, Byron Lawson
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MPAA rating: Studio: New Line Cinema, Mutual Film Corporation Script: John Heffernan, Sebastian Guiterrez Music: Trevor Rabin Running time: 105 minutes Tags: Action; air disaster; airplanes; murder; poison; snakes; Thriller; venom Tactical strength: [4/10]
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for language, a scene of sexuality and drug use, and intense sequences of terror and violence
Snakes on a Plane -- a bad movie that doesn't suck -- or in this case bite. Sure, it has over-the-top acting and a ridiculous story taking place in the clichéd setting of a mid-air crisis, but Samuel L. Jackson saves this film. He knows his lines come from a corny script, but he delivers his lines with a serious determination that at least keep you rooting for one human. The rest of the time, you just want the snakes to bite everyone -- especially the requisite horror-film screamers.
We need a flimsy reason to get federal agent Neville Flinn (Samuel L. Jackson) onto the plane. While casually biking through the Hawaiian jungle, Sean Jones (Nathan Phillips) happens upon a murder scene. He watches renowned gang leader Eddie Kim (Byron Lawson) torture and kill a man. Sean tries to sneak away, but Eddie's men hear Sean and chase him. Sean thinks he has escaped when he arrives home, but soon bullets and explosions prove his assumptions wrong. Neville shows up in a come-with-me-if-you-want-to-live scene and escorts Sean to the safety of some federal installation. Neville convinces Sean to testify against Eddie, but they must travel to Los Angeles for the hearing.
Of course Eddie learns which plane Neville and Sean will take to the mainland, and he has minions load a crate full of the world's most deadly snakes into the cargo hold. In addition, the minion sprays pheromones on the snakes to make them especially aggressive. Once airborne, as time lock blows open the crate and the mayhem begins. Pretty much if you can think of a place to get bit, someone in the film gets bit there. Of course, Neville can't shoot the snakes at 30,000 feet, and the snakes object to Neville's attempt to confine them to coach -- these snakes want to travel first class. Many passengers, including the pilots, succumb to venomous bites. Neville tries to maintain calm and protect his witness, and the snakes try to bite everyone -- even the little children.
Sure, Snakes on a Plane just duplicates the clichés of most air-disaster movies, but with Samuel L. Jackson, you just have more fun watching the mayhem. The rest of the cast generally does a good job at representing the various components of airline passengers. You get the napping fat lady that smiles as the snake climbs up her leg, the couple having sex in the lavatory, business men, and little children flying without parents. Lots of screaming, lots of biting, and lots of endangered species getting blown to bits. Set aside your disbelief, and enjoy the chaos.
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