Snakes on a Plane: Review!

Hans Rosemond talked me into seeing the 10 PM showing of Snakes on a Plane last night at Loew's in the Waterfront. Unsurprisingly, the viewing was nearly sold out, filled primarily with web-savvy college students.

The movie? Exactly what I expected. In fact, possibly better, though I obviously went in with loooooooow expectations.

The experience? One of the best theatergoing evenings I've had in awhile.

** WARNING: MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD! **

This was the ideal crowd to see the movie with: upbeat, energetic, sarcastic without being cynical. They paid attention. They were quiet when they were supposed to be and loud in all the right places.

They cheered for the snakes. They cheered for the humans. They cheered the deaths of snake and human alike.

But mostly they cheered for the snakes.

In fact, from the time the word "Snakes" appeared on the title screen, there were cheers. When the snakes first appeared onscreen, there were cheers. And when the snakes made their presence known, the theater erupted with glee.

(Mind you, this is an audience that cheered the first time the AIRPORT appeared onscreen...)

I have to say, I was really impressed with the audience's moviegoing sensibilities. They appreciated the cheesy aspects AND the schmaltzy aspects. They mocked what deserved to be mocked, but they also appreciated the sublime idiocy and the primal entertainment value of it all. Had they been any more cynical, the experience would have turned into a nonstop mockery, but fortunately they steered clear of that downward spiral.

HOWEVER

The kids sitting behind us were the exception to the rule. They weren't rude, but they WERE hip, and they needed everyone within earshot to know it. Thus, the evening was peppered with loudly exchanged inside jokes that proved they knew what they were talking about.

Examples:

ONSCREEN ACTION: Rick, the pilot, makes an appearance
HIPSTER REACTION: "I had no idea Champ Kind from Anchorman was in this film, but I'm so glad he is!"

ONSCREEN ACTION: An overly-attractive couple get up to use the plane's restrooms, leading to gratuitous sex
HIPSTER REACTION: "Damn you, First Rule of Horror Films!"

ONSCREEN ACTION: Actor Todd Louiso makes his first appearance in the film
HIPSTER REACTION: "I love you, guy from High Fidelity!"

And so it went, throughout the evening. Hans and his roommate, Nate, sighed loudly in response to most such comments, but I opted to suck it up. After all, these kids have very little to return to in the real world, so why not let them shine in the dark?

Ironically, these metacultural sages got their comeuppance during the closing credits, when the Cobra Starship video for "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)" hit the screen. I bobbed and sang along with the track -- yes, it's catchy -- only to hear sounds of confusion from the hipsters behind us. I know they were confused because they said things like, "Dude, I am so confused right now," with the earnestness of people who truly cannot comprehend that something in the world of pop culture (i.e., a music video for the zeitgeist-driven film of the year) has escaped their radar.

Then one of them noticed me jamming along with the video.

"In front," he said.

I can only presume they stared at the back of my head with a mix of disdain and desire.

I also presume they Googled the video as soon as they got home.