Snakes on a Plane is Ridiculous and Awesome

I know the questions you're asking yourself: Is it going to live up to the hype? Could this possibly be as ridiculous as it looks? Well, the answer to both of those questions is a definite YES. It is nothing less than the hype made it out to be on television, radio, and the Internet. In addition, it's so utterly silly that one can't help but cheer it on.

We follow Agent Neville Flynn (the ever-cool Samuel L. Jackson) as he escorts murder witness Sean Jones (Nathan Phillips) on a flight to LA in order testify in court. Of course a very creative mob boss finds out which flight Mr. Jones is on and decides, heck, why not take out the witness and a whole plane of innocent people? To this end, he loads up the aircraft with a diverse assortment of hyper-aggressive, slithering reptiles. When they are spectacularly loosed on the unsuspecting passengers, Sam Jackson has absolutely no choice but to kick-butt (as he always does) and let his inner action hero shine. In between disturbing and hilarious death scenes, we're treated to some decent suspense, as well as some of the funniest dialogue this summer. Jackson is helped along the way by a tried-and-true flight attendant, played by Julianna Margulies (Ghost Ship).

Did Snakes on a Plane win any academy awards? No. Will it be affectionately remembered for decades to come? Without a doubt. Not because of the merely adequate acting, or mediocre special effects (including--and I am not kidding--what one of my friends dubbed "snake-O-vision"), but because this movie had the guts to poke fun at itself, at Hollywood, and at a beloved film genre. The buzz it has generated in the movie-going community is unprecedented. It was practically a cult favorite before it hit the theaters!

This movie is entertainment for entertainment's sake, pure and simple. No high art. No groundbreaking film techniques. Just a good 'ol time at the movies. A