Movie Review: Snowpiercer (2014)
Written by Anthony Sargon
Well that was something. I’m going to be as direct and to the point as I can be: Snowpiercer is hands down the best film I’ve seen this summer, and you’d be foolish not to seek it out.
The story is set in a future where global warming has forced humanity to experiment with ways to replenish the Ozone layer. When one particular experiment ends up failing and turns the Earth into a giant ice cube, humanity is wiped out, except for a lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer, a massive, self-sustaining train that continuously loops around the world. But many of the survivors don’t necessarily feel lucky to be alive given that an oppressive class system has taken hold. Poor people live in the tail end of the train, while the elite occupy the front. That’s where our protagonist, Curtis (Chris Evans) comes into play. No longer satisfied by being treated like dirt, he and the rest of the tail inhabitants cook up a plan to take over the front of the Snowpiercer. The story is based on the original French graphic novel, Le Transperceneige.
Snowpiercer is awesome for a number of reasons, but the biggest standout is the premise itself. It’s like the perfect amalgamation of The Hunger Games and Elysium, where people are separated by class and have preordained roles to fill in society. The rich wear crazy, over-the-top outfits and enjoy fine dining while the poor are crammed into one little section and are forced to eat mysterious protein/gelatin bricks. They’re basically treated like prisoners, and if they step out of line, the train’s crew has come up with quite the inventive (and gruesome) punishment.
But the film isn’t just a social commentary on class warfare; it’s also an extremely kick-ass action/sci-fi flick. Director Joon-ho Bong is extremely deft while handling the film’s many brutal action sequences, and he gets quite inventive. Considering that all of the film’s action takes place on a train, it’s a miracle that we get absolutely no shaky cam. The camera is steady throughout, and the action flows brilliantly. It actually reminded me of Park Chan-wook’s Old Boy, which is a massive compliment.
The film’s acting is also on point, with Captain America himself Chris Evans serving as the film’s anchor. Curtis is a deeply disturbed character who’s gone through some pretty messed up crap, but he’s also extremely resourceful, and is a natural leader. The entire cast is brilliant, and that includes Jamie Bell, John Hurt, Kang-ho Song, and an unrecognizable Tilda Swinton, just to name a few.
The Verdict:
Dark, moody, smart, and memorable, Snowpiercer is one of this summer’s best releases, and easily one of the year’s best. Stop what you’re doing and look for tickets. Now.
Numerical Score: 9.5/10
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