Snakes on a Plane (2006) – Film Review

Director: David R Ellis
Cast: Samuel L Jackson, Julianna Margulies, Nathan Phillips
Certificate: 15

By Roger Crow

It was the internet ‘movie pitch’ that became a film, which became one of the most enjoyable B-movies of the noughties. Of course, without rock-solid talent like Samuel L Jackson and Julianna Margulies, this could have crashed and burned, but in the hands of director David R Ellis, SOAP, as nobody called it, was a hit, if you like disaster movies like Airport.

The most terrifying thing about Snakes on a Plane is not the slithering antagonists but the fact this is 20 years old. Has it really been that long since I last revelled in SLJ exclaiming that he’d had it with these “mother hubbard snakes on this mother hubbard plane” – or words to that effect? Afraid so, and two decades on, it’s still an enjoyable ride.

The plot, such as it is, sees FBI agent Neville Flynn (Jackson) protecting a murder witness from lethal villains who tried to kill him in Hawaii.

“Endangered”

While on board the titular aircraft heading from Honolulu to LA, containing you know what, Flynn tries to keep his endangered fellow passenger alive long enough to testify. Fun supporting characters include a germ-phobic music star and his lackeys.

Director Ellis did a fine job with B-movies Final Destination 2 and Cellular before delivering this cult classic, and his untimely demise robbed the film-making world of a genuine talent.

The $33million production grossed a little more than $62million worldwide, so it was successful, but not a big enough hit to warrant a sequel, which may be one of the reasons we’re still waiting for Snakes on a Train, or Reptiles in an Automobile.

“Feast of extras”

However, this latest release looks and sounds great, and Jackson, as ever, is fantastic as the asp-kicking hero.

I’m not sure how there’s a ‘new’ director-approved 4K restoration of the film as Ellis died in 2013, unless he left explicit notes, but there is a feast of extras, including a new commentary, interviews and a collectors’ booklet.

Slip your brain into neutral and enjoy.

Roger Crow( Writer )

Adopted Yorkshireman Roger Crow developed a passion for film and TV in the 1970s and 1980s. He has been a published film and TV reviewer since the 1990s; a world travel and restaurant critic since the noughties, and for the past decade has assessed the pros and cons of live gigs and theatre productions around the UK. His ideal day would involve reviewing a performance of Bat Out of Hell, followed by a Pad Thai while being serenaded by Texas on a cruise around Europe.
crowsfeat.com; nostalgiahhh film podcast

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