After months of feverish anticipation and a veritable cottage industry of unofficial marketing materials, Snakes on a Plane has won a ringing endorsement in its first review on a cult film website.
The film goes on release this weekend both in the UK and the US and New Line executives have been on tenterhooks awaiting the response to their airborne horror flick.
However it seems studio chiefs can rest easy following an enthusiastic review on Ain't It Cool News from last night's initial screenings.
"I don't know how they did it," the site's correspondent wrote last night. "I am honestly surprised to say that Snakes on a Plane is as fun as we all want it to be."
The online critic goes on to say, "The movie doesn't totally take itself seriously, but it wasn't a parody either... How many times will I end up seeing it?"
The early response has been supportive of the high-octane story about an FBI agent (Samuel Jackson) who must overcome hundreds of serpents unleashed on a mid-air flight. Movie-goers applauded the tongue-in-cheek tone and high blood content, with many pledging to see it again.
New Line famously announced last month that there would be no preview screenings for the media, an increasingly common manoeuvre that usually smacks of damage limitation.
But the studio has always said it believed in the picture's ability to entertain its target market and insisted it wanted the loyal fans to be the first to see it.
Industry observers had predicted an opening weekend in the region of $35m, however that figure may have to be revised upwards if word of mouth spreads fast and fans indulge in repeat viewing.
Whatever happens Jackson is determined to keep his feet on the ground. "I just want to be in something that's entertaining and fun and great for somebody's Saturday afternoon escapism," he told reporters at the recent pop culture convention Comic-Con. "That's fun and fine to do, also, as an actor."
