Sunday, August 27, 2006
I've watched Snakes on a Plane
Snakes on a Plane stars Samuel L. Jackson as an FBI agent who is escorting an eye witness on a flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles when a crimelord sets in motion the release of hundreds of deadly snakes on the commercial airplane in order to eliminate the witness before he can testify against him. The FBI agent must protect his witness while banding together with the pilot, frightened crew and passengers in a desperate attempt to survive.
It’s quite stupid, though the effects are quite well-done, the plot with thin and absurd. I don't profess to be an expert on snakes (an ophiologist), but as far as I know about these reptiles, here are some scientific reasons that I've come up with why SNAKES ON A PLANE cannot occur on a modern jet airliner. 3.5/5
1. To smuggle that enormous amount of snakes onto the plane would take a gargantuan task involving dozens of corrupt airport officials, cargo handlers, security guards, vehicles, preparation, transportation without arousing any suspicion. All cargo are scanned and logistics accounted for in a modern airport.
Let's assume they did manage to smuggle that many on a plane. (highly implausible)
2. The snakes on the plane are all completely different species, coral snakes, cobras, black mambas, spitting cobras, vipers, rattlesnakes, sidewinders and copperheads were some of the snakes that I recognized in the movie. (Those green vine snakes are not poisonous at all). Out of the approximately 2,700 species of snakes on the planet, less than 600 are poisonous. The majority of snakes are either non-venomous or possess venom that is not harmful to humans. Snakes are a reclusive species of reptiles and cannot co-habit. Almost all snakes are solitary and putting so many snakes together in one crate will get the snakes aggressive and they will start attacking each other instead. Snakes maybe immune to their own venom. But not the venom from other snakes.
Let's assume the snakes don't attack each other. (Impossible)
3. Most poisonous snakes are generally from tropical countries, however, the cargo hold in the plane is very cold, and snakes are cold-blooded reptiles and require heat for metabolism. The cold cargo hold will make the snakes sluggish and lethargic, not agitated and aggressive like the way they were portrayed in the movie.
4. Being cold-blooded, snakes would prefer to curl up in a dark secluded place, preferably warm area, and not roam about the whole plane attacking everyone and everything.
5. In the movie, it is explained that the aggressiveness of the snakes are heightened by use of pheromones. Pheromones enhances sexual activity, not make them aggressive. Each snake is receptive to a specific pheromone from that particular species, there is no "universal" pheromone that excites all the snakes altogether. A Viper pheromone scent will have no effect on a cobra at all and vice-versa. The crate had all sorts of snakes, the perceived pheromones will only work on a few snakes or not work at all, not all of them.
6. Snakes do not normally prey on people, but there are instances of small children being eaten by large constrictors in the jungle. While some particularly aggressive species exist, most will not attack humans unless startled or injured, preferring instead to avoid contact. However in the movie, they attacked everyone and everything without provocation at all.
7. One of the most absurd things in the movie is that a Boa Constrictor was introduced and it swallowed a Chihuahua and a grown man, Boas can never co-habit with the other poisonous snakes! It’s weight would have crushed the other snakes to death or it would have been bitten to death as well.
8. The cargo hold is UNDER the passenger cabin, how did they get into the upper decks and into the ventilation shaft? They'd had to climb up vertically and an aircraft fuselage is sealed compartmentally, okay lets assume they managed to do that, then why didn't they get into the top-most deck? The Business class section. The pilot cockpit is at the top deck, how did the snake get in there without going past the business section where the witness was? That would mean the snakes have had to travel the entire length of the aircraft from the cargo hold all the way to the front and top just to attack the pilot.
9. There were no snakes in the business section, even though there were snakes everywhere and in the cockpit. Did the snakes magically teleport from the cargo hold into the cockpit, by passing that section?
10. There was one scene where the snakes attacked the honey-mooning couple in a group! (Extremely impossible), snakes never attack in packs or collaborate. They are solitary creatures, and will only attack when preying or feeling threatened, and don't attack like hyenas.
I am sure there are more reasons why you won't find snakes on a plane.=) For all those with ophidiophobia (a fear of snakes), have no fear. All airport items are screened. Reptiles, weapons, pyrotechnics and animals will be detected.
Documented deaths resulting from snake bites are uncommon in most areas of the world. Only about 450 species of snakes are venomous (with only about 250 that are able to kill a human), and among the 7,000 Americans bitten by venomous snakes every year, fewer than fifteen die (lightning kills more).
Later I caught THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA at Bugis.
A drastic improvement on Lauren Weisberger's bestselling novel, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA showcases Meryl Streep's knack for combining humor and sadness. While likely inspired by notorious VOGUE editor Anna Wintour, Streep's Miranda Priestly (head of Runway magazine) is entirely her own creation. Sporting silvery hair, a vast collection of fur coats, an encyclopedic knowledge of all things fashionable, and a killer smile, Miranda is full of wicked charm. With her mature beauty and commanding presence, Miranda is as fascinating to watch as she is intimidating to the constant rotation of assistants thrown her way.
When bookish Northwestern grad Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) interviews to become Miranda's newest lackey, Miranda hires her not for her lackluster wardrobe but for her intellect. Inside the pristine Runway offices, Andy suffers through a never-ending list of impossible tasks, and is the subject of constant harassment by Miranda's jealous first assistant (Emily Blunt). But to the dismay of her boyfriend (Adrian Grenier) and close friends, Andy slowly finds herself seduced by the glamorous world of fashion, and by Miranda herself. While Andy's transformation comes largely in the form of new designer clothing, the makeover is mental as well.
Great show! 3.5/5 I particularly enjoyed the movie because of the upper echelon of society that the movie portrayed, the super-rich and famous. I remember once reading a book about such societies, how they partied, spent their money and time, did shopping in all the luxurious and exotic locations around the world, frolicking in expensive jets and buying 6-digit clothing.
8:51 PM
