This “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD release will be available from Arrow Video on January 20th. A “Limited Edition” Blu-ray version is also available.
Twenty-plus years ago, social media and the internet didn’t have as big a hold on our daily lives as it does today. Cell phone usage and modern technology was in the midst of being integrated into daily life, but it certainly didn’t have the same hold or influence on us. But in 2005, the film world got a taste of that pull from voices on movie sites during the filming of the New Line Cinema project, Snakes on a Plane. News of the production was noted by movie enthusiasts and the title ended up turning into a media circus. So much so that the studio began noting online reactions to updates, tailoring and changing elements to appeal to fans on the web.
It seemed like one of the first movies that generated an online media frenzy, garnering a mass of unexpected attention and publicity. It was remarkable for a picture intended as a comical riff on exaggerated nature-on-the-rampage films and air-disaster titles. Alas, after all the hype, attention, and reshoots designed to please online audiences, the movie underperformed at the box office.
Yet to this day, this unassuming and diverting film has its followers. Because of its lasting popularity, Arrow Video is now delivering a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD version of it (a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray is also available). First of all, the picture looks sharp and detailed (certainly more so than previous editions). Additionally, this edition carries over plenty of entertaining bonuses from earlier versions, as well as a couple of fun new extras.
If you missed the movie during its original run, the story follows Sean Jones (Nathan Phillips), a surfer/dirtbike in Hawaii who witnesses a mob killing. After agreeing to testify in Los Angeles against crime boss Eddie Kim (Byron Lawson), he and FBI agents Neville Flynn (Samuel L. Jackson) and John Sanders (Mark Houghton) board a transpacific flight to the mainland. Other personalities on the voyage include flight attendants Claire Miller (Julianna Margulies), Tiffany Engelhard (Sunny Mabrey), Grace (Liz Shaye) and Ken (Bruce James), co-pilot Rick Archibald (David Koechner), and passengers like dog-loving socialite Mercedes Harbont (Rachel Blanchard), new mom Maria (Elsa Pataky) traveling with her infant, germophobic rapper Clarence Dewey (Flex Alexander) and his entourage (Kenan Thompson and Keith Dalllas). Additionally, there is pro kickboxer Chen Leong (Terry Chen), aspiring “mile-high” club couple (Taylor Kitsch and Samantha McLeod), and several more.
Halfway through the flight, chaos occurs as the group realizes that Kim has ordered hundreds of poisonous snakes placed in the cargo released into the main cabin and cockpit. This is all in the hopes of crashing the aircraft. The terrified crew and passengers must deal with, as Flynn puts it, “…These motherf^cking snakes on this motherf*cking plane,” Special agent Henry Harris (Bobby Cannavale) and snake expert Dr. Steven Price (Todd Louiso) attempt to find a way to identify the reptiles and find antivenom for those who have been stung.
One issue is that early sections play like an average action movie/disaster picture being played a little too straight. The fact that, after spending time introducing Kim, he doesn’t become part of the story again (besides a quick reference to him being presumably locked up) is strange. One wishes Kim had flown out for the trial and at least could have been waiting at LAX for a final showdown when his target arrives alive. And with a cast so big, there are a ton of subplots, several of which aren’t given enough time to make an impression.
However, enough exaggerated elements do earn chuckles and thrills to make the end result amusing, if not a cult classic. Jackson is, as expected, fantastic as the increasingly frustrated agent trying to protect his star witness. Keenan Thompson stands out as the most likable figure among the rapper’s pals; he tries to calm the celebrity when the star is pushed over the edge by the situation. He is also a gamer with hundreds of hours of “simulated” flying experience, which pays off very well when he is forced to help out in the cockpit late in the story. And Margulies makes a relatable leading lady, first having to deal with annoyed and oddball passengers and staff, and then panicked ones. She also has some good interplay with Jackson.
Several of the attack scenes are entertaining as well. While repetitive, a couple of attacks in the bathrooms are memorable. A few of the most exaggerated moments with the snakes terrorizing passengers in the main cabin are fun, and there are some exciting bits with one deadly snake that swallows an entire victim (it later is sucked out of the plane with a large lump in its belly during the climax). The action is all well-shot, and while not all the digital effects hold up, is still generally entertaining to watch. There are a lot of familiar faces in the story all having a good time with the concept. Overall, this is an entertaining B-movie and it’s easy to understand why it has a fanbase (even if it still might not be as big as the studio had hoped for).
The 4K image quality on display is excellent. Admittedly, it seems the source elements are in 2K, but the Dolby Vision color grading is very pleasing and does offer a decent upgrade. In fact, it is consistently impressive to behold. Obviously, the clarity on display does mean that the digital effects are perhaps more noticeable than before, but there are some excellent practical effect details and camerawork involving real snakes that look remarkably vibrant with the improved color and high-end resolution. Although I don’t have a copy of the previous Blu-ray and the image also looks quite good, I was pleasantly surprised by how strong this release looked overall and would heartily recommend it (especially if you don’t own a Blu-ray of it).
Another plus are the extras. First there are two commentary tracks. One is an archival track that includes star Jackson and late director David R. Ellis, as well as producer Craig Berenson, associate producer Tawny Ellis, VFX supervisor Eric Henry, and second unit director Freddie Hice. It’s a fun track offering a lot of insight into the production, from receiving the script right through the reshoot discussions and scheduling. They do note that shooting with real snakes wasn’t as easy as initially planned for, with most being timid and merely sliding into the seats and hiding. This resulted in more money being spent on digital effects work. The speakers also mention arguing with the studio, with Jackson stating that he wanted the picture to be R-rated, but that the executives insisted on a PG-13. When publicity about the movie increased, they allowed all to return the following year to shoot extra bits involving more graphic kills and four-letter words (including Jackson’s famous line) that were inserted into the picture.
There is a new commentary with critics Max Evry and Bryan Reesman that gives tons of fascinating background information on the picture, its crew and its stars. They note that the screenplay had been in development for some time by a first-time Hollywood writer, who slowly changed and adapted elements after rewrites. The script went into turnaround at its first studio, before finding its way to New Line. Director Ronny Yu (The Bride with White Hair, Bride of Chucky, Freddy vs. Jason) read it and signed on to direct. When Samuel L. Jackson heard the title alone, he wanted to sign up for it immediately and called Yu (whom he had worked with on The 51st State). It took a long time for the studio (as well as costars) to sign up because many didn’t believe the Oscar-nominee was really interested. But Jackson loved the concept, stating it was something he would have gone to see at the movies when he was a kid.
Alas, Yu’s vision for the movie was different from the studio’s plan. Yu wanted to set up the head FBI agent as the hero, then kill him midway through and focus on the inexperienced passengers having to save themselves and the flight. New Line refused and David Ellis stepped in to take over the film. Coincidentally, Jackson and the low-key Ellis had also worked together with Jackson on several projects (Ellis was second unit director on Sphere, Deep Blue Sea and Patriot Games). The two got on well and so the project moved forward quickly. Apparently, it was an enjoyable shoot, with everyone getting on famously and having a good time. The experts also note that New Line briefly changed the title of the film to Pacific Air Fight 121, but online film fans voiced outrage. The studio eventually relented and kept the Snakes on a Plane moniker. The historians speak about the film’s plusses and minuses, noting that while imperfect, it is a pleasing little movie with some entertaining moments.
Other extras include a new featurette on novel adaptations of movies. Apparently, the novelization of Snake on a Plane was popular and won awards. This bonus includes a discussion with the book’s writer and others about film-to-book translations. In this case, like in many instances, the writer received an early draft of the script. To extend the story, they created deeper histories for the characters, making the flight action feel more exciting and the threat scarier. She states that Jackson’s character was completely different in the script she received, resulting in some notable differences between her interpretation and the final product. It’s a fine discussion that brings attention to this little movie tie-in sideline.
A ton of archival interviews are included with cast and crew, which show how good of a time everyone had making this wild picture. Additionally, there is a program about the snake wrangler, explaining how he got into his unusual career as well as his specific work on this project.
You’ll also find out about the visual effects and how they were created. One of the interesting facts that comes out during the commentary featuring crew member Eric Henry involves an instrument panel in a wide shot that one of the snakes jumps out of. This was an entirely digital creation added into the space because it otherwise looked like the snake was being launched out. So, even with the improved picture, not all the digital effects in the film are easy to identify.
There is also an archival featurette on the movie’s prerelease hype, a making-of for the odd music video from band Cobra Starship that was shot and inserted into the closing credits. The track didn’t break onto the charts, but the group did end up landing hit singles in the following years.
The gag reel and deleted and extended scenes are fun to watch as well, as is the promo gallery containing trailers, TV spots and an image gallery for the film. It’s interesting to watch the internet hype really play into the advertising.
This “Limited Edition” also arrives with a reversible sleeve featuring two original pieces for the film, a safety instruction card from the airline, and a booklet with extra writing on the movie.
As mentioned, this picture didn’t end up lighting the box office on fire. It cost, with reshoots, somewhere around $36 million dollars (not including the massive marketing campaign that accompanied the release) and grossed $62 million worldwide. But it made another $24 million in disc sales, which ultimately helped the film earn a modest profit for New Line Cinema. The eccentric title also became a notable part of the public consciousness for a period of time in 2006 and really showed the impact that social media could have on our lives. Thankfully, Snakes on a Plane was from a more innocent time when online chatter could be enthusiastic and well-intentioned.
The “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD edition of Snakes on a Plane offers audiences a fun popcorn flick, and contains an excellent picture, informative new bonuses and fascinating archival material. If you enjoy B-movies, monster flicks, disaster films or anything a little off the beaten cinematic road, it’s well worth a ride.
