Snakes On A Plane - Preview
Preview by Jack Foley
ONE of the most creepily fun films of the summer looks set to be Snakes On A Plane, the Samuel L Jackson thriller that is already becoming a cult classic thanks to an aggressive marketing campaign.
Directed by David (Cellular) Ellis, the film focuses on Jackson’s US Marshal, Neville Flynn, who is asked to escort a Mob witness on a Los Angeles-bound flight from Hawaii.
Prior to take-off, however, a Mafia boss pays airport security to sneak a time-release crate of 400 deadly serpents on board.
Once the plane is midair, the slithery creatures are deployed (including some within the oxygen masks), forcing the crew – including former ER star Julianna Margulies – to take evasive action in order to survive.
Snakes On A Plane certainly looks fun but it’s certainly not for anyone who suffers from a slither phobia, given that the ick factor is being cranked up to the max.
The studio had originally intended for the thriller to be a teen-friendly PG-13 but after seeing a rough cut and listening to the online media campaign surrounding it, they realised that an R rating (in America) would be more logical and lucrative.
At a budget in the $30 million range, Snakes On A Plane is way below average for a summer flick but based on word of mouth alone, looks set to easily surpass that total at the box office.
Hence, Ellis went back and reshot a number of scenes in March this year with a view to increasing the gore and naughtiness.
Comments the director: ‘‘We’ve now got every kind of killer snake imaginable, from these tiny eyelash vipers that are about six inches long but can kill you in, like, three minutes, to big huge pythons.’‘
The film is due to touchdown in both US and UK cinemas on August 18. Brace yourselves for a wild, wild ride!
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