Movie Review: Snakes on a Plane - Page 2

Yes, there is a plot behind all the ridiculously graphic mayhem. Agents on the ground race to find anti-venom needed by wounded victims, and petty squabbles (and even a dash of "romance") among passengers give us something to look at until the next "snake vision" sequence or one-line zinger from Jackson. Motherf*#$!ng snakes, indeed.

Apparently, many real snakes were used in the film, but if so, I certainly couldn't find them. Instead, we're treated to frequent close-ups of astonishingly poor computer-generated approximations. Not that it really matters with a film like this – we laugh at everything else, so cheesy graphics are just another on a long list of painfully funny/unfunny attributes this film shows off like so many gaudy bangles on the wrist. These digital concoctions even manage to be genuinely frightening at times; I defy you not to gasp when one latches onto an unfortunate woman's eyeball or cheer when one jumps out at Jackson only to be torched by his flamethrower-in-a-can.

I wrote several days ago of this movie that it would either be "so bad, it's good" or just "so bad." Having seen it now and reveled in its glorious stupidity, I place it firmly in the former category. The difference between Snakes on a Plane and the countless other B-grade films released each year is that this one knows it's bad. It's difficult to find even one thing worth criticizing here, with every "flaw" serving only to enhance the campiness of it all.

Know that going in, and you'll have a ball. All we can do now is wait for the inevitable sequel (assuming reasonable financial success, that is). How does Snakes in Space sound? It's catchy, it's different, and we can bring Jackson back to, uh, finish the job.

Article Author: David Winchell

David Winchell is a student at the University of Pennyslvania who enjoys reading and blogging politics, film, technology, and philosophy.

Visit David Winchell's author page — David Winchell's Blog