Snakes on a Plane

I just returned home from the movie event of a generation. Never before has a movie inspired such anticipation, such excitement, such internet buzz. You think I'm kidding? The makers of this movie had no idea what they had on their hands until it got out to the internet that there was a movie in production called Snakes on a Plane starring Samuel L. Jackson. The combination couldn't have been more perfect to inspire excitement at the sheer absurdity of it. Word grew and it became an internet sensation: spoof posters, fan fiction, spoof trailers, and more all started circulating. The producers even held off any viewings until opening night. They didn't want anything to spoil the anticipation that had built for this first opening weekend. The movie was completed in September of 2005, but the producers held off releasing it and used the internet gossip to fine tune. The most notable addition is the famous line, which will undoubtedly go down in movie history, spoken by Samuel L. Jackson. We'll get there, don't worry...

There was definitely something akin to excitement in the air as we walked into the theatre tonight. The movie goers took their seats and prepared for what was to come. The opening credits began and the first bit of applause started when Samuel L. Jackson's name appeared on the screen...then "Snakes....on a Plane". Everyone cheered. I was happy that we had a good crowd. Snakes on a Plane is more of an event than just a movie. It won't be the same once the luster has gone a few weeks from now and certainly not when it comes to video. I liken it to a play. You have to be there to experience it. Once it's done, it's done.

Of course, the movie had everything you would expect. There was gruesome violence, campy dialogue, and every stock character imaginable. The theatre loved it. The audience added to the soundtrack with laughter, applause, and cheers. I will leave off any detailed descriptions because not knowing what to expect and then suddenly knowing exactly what will happen next is part of what makes this movie fun. Everyone is sitting there waiting for the inevitable to happen. And so the movie goes until it builds to the climax; the line we all came to hear...

The camera focuses on Sam Jackson, slight up-shot, he's got the look in his eyes that only Sam Jackson can get, the theatre was on the edge of their seats, and then... "Enough is enough! I have had it with these motherfucking snakes on this motherfucking plane!” The crowd erupted into a roar of cheers and applause. It was so loud that it drowned out the end of the line. I've never seen anything like it.

No other actor could have pulled this off. Sam Jackson played it perfect. You could even see the glint in his eye on certain lines; he knew what he was doing. This movie was wink-and-nod campy with just the perfect level of irony. Hollywood makes so many bad movies that try to be good, that it was refreshing to have a movie that didn't pretend to be anything but what it was, and it didn't disappoint. It was well worth my eight bucks...not just for the movie, but for the event.