SNAKES ON A PLANE Reviewed by Michelle Reindal Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Nathan Phillips, Julianna Margulies and Kenan Thompson Directed by David R. Ellis    Is this a joke? No, really, is Snakes on a Plane meant as a cruel, but wildly entertaining joke? With all the pre-release hype and “muthafuckin' snakes on the muthafuckin' plane” hysteria, it's hard to tell if we're supposed to take this cinematic hurricane seriously. Well, it was hard to tell. After watching the entire car wreck, it's clear that New Line decided to embrace the mockery head-on, changing the title (it was briefly to be called Flight 121 ), and going for tasteless and overblown scenes that no one in their right mind should be expected to take seriously. With that said, this film is ridiculously (and guiltily) enjoyable. How can a bad, bad movie be so freaking good? Apparently Snakes director David R. Ellis knows. He also directed Final Destination 2 and Cellular, two awful films that were both embarrassingly satisfying.Laid back surfer dude, Sean Jones (Nathan Phillips), witnesses a brutal execution style murder performed by Hawaii's most wanted thug Eddie Kim (Byron Lawson) and becomes the next on the hit list when his Red Bull left at the scene gives the killer a DNA sample and a way to find him (guess it didn't give him wings this time). Just as Sean is about to get his head blown off, FBI agent Neville Flynn (Samuel L. Jackson) swoops in to save the day, and not so subtly encourages him to be the star witness in a trial, taking place in L.A., that will put Kim behind bars for life. Sean and Flynn board a red-eye to L.A., unaware that Kim's gangsters plant several crates of pheromone-infused, venomous snakes in the cargo area. It doesn't take long for the eye-bulging, nipple-biting fun to begin, but when it stops for a plotline, the movie becomes an utter snooze-fest, and even attempts at a love story between Flynn and flight attendant Claire Miller (Julianne Margulies). In the snake-fodder leftovers, we get all of the broad-brushed token characters: sorority girl with accessory dog (Rachel Blanchard); chunky black funny guy (Kenan Thompson – when did he make it off of Nickelodeon?); businessman (probably lawyer) with stick up ass; Asian kick boxer with tribal tattoo; adorable toe headed little boy; and a sweet lil' old lady ( There's Something About Mary's Magda (Lin Shaye) – take a deep breath, you won't have to see her boobs in this one). Bottom line: We love crude and amusing shit (admit it), we love watching people die in creative ways, and Samuel L. Jackson is a badass any way you slice it—so see this one. |  |
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