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 PrintableVersion Snakes on a planePythonesqueSNAKES ON A PLANE Snakes on a Plane hit the entertainment headlines recently for reasons that had less to do with the artistic content of the film than with its rather novel production: the direction of the film had been determined at least in part by a net-based fan base, and the film was released without prior review by film critics. With the only name actor being Samuel L. Jackson (admittedly that’s a big name), British viewers might be wondering whether the film is extremely bad or a well-kept secret of potential cult (in the film sense of the word) proportions. What we get is in fact a workmanlike B-movie that is no less enjoyable for the most part than those films which aspire to higher things. The film consciously addresses the fears that most humans have, of flying (or perhaps, of crashing!) and of snakes. The basic plot revolves around the flight of a witness in a brutal gangster killing being flown from Hawaii to Los Angeles to testify against a crime lord. Agent Neville Flynn (Jackson) is his protector and persuader, together with his FBI partner. Naturally the crime lord is anxious to prevent the witness from living long enough to make court, but instead of employing more conventional methods like a bomb, he has a massive consignment of many species of dangerous snakes hyped up with chemicals and stowed in the cargo hold. Needless to say, when the snakes are released, mayhem ensues. WarningI think it fair to warn readers that there are aspects which we, as Christians, might have left on the cutting room floor. Apart from some swearing and murder, one scene involves a couple in the toilet intent on making the ‘mile high’ club while smoking marijuana who meet a quick and painful end. Having said that, I did not leave the cinema feeling that I had been abused by the makers, unlike some films where violence is meant to be comical or to titillate us. The snakes themselves are mostly computer-generated, although some live (harmless) snakes were used. However, overall I found this an entertaining film in the mould of such survival classics as Alien that lacks pretensions and delivers what it promises, an hour and three-quarters of excitement and suspense. I certainly would not be overly worried about a teenager seeing it. Whether or not Snakes on a Plane’s method of production — relying on or pandering to fan input, depending on your point of view — heralds a new direction in film-making remains to be seen. If the film does badly at the box office, then probably it will not. Some people will suggest that such a method of artistic endeavour can only achieve the lowest common denominator. However, unlike some supposedly sophisticated efforts, there is a rough-and-ready morality in the story. It’s probably also fair to say that if you hate flying or snakes at the best of times, you might not want to go to see this picture. Nick Smith,
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