Snakes on a Plane
Review by John Wordsworth authored on Monday 04 December 2006 (997)
Plot Summary: Sean Jones (Nathan Philips) accidently becomes the sole witness of a horrific murder by underworld baron Eddie Kim (Byron Lawson). Soon after, Kim realises the threat Sean poses as he shares news of the crime and he sends men to Sean's house to have him killed. Enter Neville Flynn (Samuel Leroy Jackson), the only FBI agent fit to keep Sean alive long enough to testify in court. However, the case is to take place overseas, and it's during this flight across the Pacific that a lucid assassination attempt takes place. A crate of 500 poisonous snakes are set loose mid-flight to murder all on the plane and it's up to Neville Flynn to save the day.
Review: With the feel of a B-Movie but the entertainment value of a silver screen gem this film revels in the fact that it doesn't take itself too seriously and really benefits from that fact too. A massive influence from a cult internet following grew before the film was even finished and various scenes were reshot to appeal to the needs of this fan base.
The main reason for watching this film is simple - you get to watch the beloved Samuel L. Jackson delivering his fantastically over-the-top dialogue and doing his thing alongside a horde of vicious computer animated reptiles. It is for this reason alone that this film is so entertaining, but also the reason why this title might not appeal to such a wide range of viewers.
The main storyline is straightforward, and even comical in parts, which adds to the cheesy B-Movie feel of this movie - which very much grants it a marmite-esque 'love it or hate it' status. While the storyline leaves few surprises, there are some jumpy moments to keep you a bit edgy and the director has managed to incite the dark and claustrophobic feel of a horror movie where it has been intended.
Apart from the plane (sic.) genius of Neville Flynn (Samuel L. Jackson) it's fairly hard to find much to make the characters in Snakes on a Plane stand out. A couple of the secondary characters are entertaining in parts, but they grow a little tiresome too. Other primary characters are simply out-shone by Jackson and you sometimes find it a little tough to care about whether they survive the film.
Last but not least, it's definitely worth a quick look into the massive cult following that grew around this film before it was even completed. Due to the pressure of fans, various scenes in the film were reshot to include lines that had been thrown around in forums of cult SOAP fans, taking the rating of this film up to an R-Rated movie. Jackson was also one for 'egging on' the fans, with statements such as "No movie shall triumph over Snakes on a Plane. Unless I happen to feel like making a movie called More Motherfucking Snakes on More Motherfucking Planes." being made at the MTV Movie Awards. To see this incredibly entertaining speech, click here.
In Short: For the cult following that it was made for, Snakes on a Plane is a dream come true. Samuel L. Jackson taking on 500 poisonous snakes with very little in the way of plot to get in the way, this film certainly holds a special value of entertainment that can only be rounded up as an action packed B-Movie Horror, thriller, comedy. However, it is true that this film will not be so amazing for those outside of the specific fanbase, I would imagine scoring in as some 'mindless entertainment' for the majority of the public.
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DamionKutaeff
23 March |
Hello everybody, my name is Damion, and I'm glad to join your conmunity, and wish to assit as far as possible. |