-Snowpiercer is a 2013 film directed by Bong Joon- ho, based on the 1982 French graphic novel Le Transperceneige . The film stars Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Go Ah-sung, Jamie Bell, Ewen Bremner, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Octavia Spencer, and Ed Harris. Seeing as the graphic novels are in French, Titan Comics did a fine job releasing it in English this past year. If yyou've seen neither, fear not. They do differ.. a lot.. but both are great. So seeing one before the other won't ruin either one. For this we're going to focus on the movie....
In 2014, in an attempt to reverse global warming, humanity accidentally shifts the Earth's climate into another ice age.
18 years later....The only survivors now inhabit a train called "the Snowpiercer" . Powered by a "perpetual engine", the train circumnavigates the earth on a never ending loop. The poorest members left in the human race are forced to inhabit the tail end of the train and live in squalor, while the wealthier live much better lives in the cars closer to the front . When the tail inhabitants decide they have had enough, Curtis (Chris Evans) leads the charge ( with guidance from an unknown source) to make it to the front of the train to try and change things for the better.
I'll start off by saying Snowpiercer is an amazing flick. Its distribution was somewhat unorthodox but it only added it it's success. It's a gritty, exciting, tumultuous ride that nobody saw coming. Evans does a great job taking the helm and the supporting cast is top notch. The movie does fantastic work adapting from its graphic novel roots and I'd highly recommend seeing it. Here are the top 4 reasons why...
4. AN ICY POST APOCALYPTIC DYSTOPIAN SOCIETY
This movie does a good job of it. With WWII undertones, you can't help but feel the tail section of the Snowpiercer is some form of concentration/refugee camp (because it is), and you want nothing more than to see them succeed.... cuz screw Nazis, right?
I commend the prop and wardrobe department for creating such an iconic yet true to the comic look. One can only imagine what refugee life in the tail section of a non stop train would be like. Now we know.
Well written screenplay, well directed, amazingly acted and superbly realized, Bong Joon- ho does an ASTOUNDING job conceptualizing the look and feel of this piece in his own way. you'll have no issues suspending your disbelief here at all. It does justice for the graphic novel even with its artistic liberties. If you enjoyed the feel of the novel, you'll enjoy the feel of this movie.
3. NAMGOONG
Not only does his name remind me of that delicious Asian treat, "crab rangoon", but Kang-ho Song does an excellent job of bringing this character to life. Broken out of some form of cryo-prison, this former locksmith/drug addict/tech wizard is just fun to watch. While everyone on the train only speaks English (in the movie) Namgoong and his daughter are a bit set back by being the only two Korean speaking inhabitants of the train.
He's a whack job, he's space cadet, he's a nut. He's a whacky space nut! Anyone will get a rise out of his portrayal in this adaptation. He really sets the bar for weird, foreign, post apocalyptic, druggie, genius, tech wizards. He's a brilliantly written and acted character that is a great fit for this adaptation.
2. THE SNOWPIERCER
IT'S A GODDAMN SUPER TRAIN. Trains are cool!.. like Thomas....and the Polar Express and um....Thomas.... This train is just brilliant as a movie backdrop. Run by a "perpetual engine", the train will never stop.. with over 20 cars, each car represents a different part of society, COMPLETE WITH A FRIGGEN FISH TANK. The art department and set designers did an excellent job re creating such an unusual set. It feels bigger in the movie but each set is identical in size. Just imagine hopping onboard a train to some far off locale, then imagine you're never getting there and you'll be on this train the rest of your natural born life.
1. TILDA SWINTON
See this movie just for her. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets nominated for this role, however, seeing as comic book based movies do not tend to get nominations (Heath Ledger/ The Dark Knight excluded) it might be a long shot. The make-up department also played a hand in bringing her to life. She is portraying a woman almost twice her age and you believe it. If you're not familiar with Swinton's work, then you would assume she was approaching 70. Well technically we ALL are but come on. I'm not being literal here. Her portrayal of 'Minister of the Train' is astounding. If you've read the graphic novel then you'll be pleasantly entertained by Swinton and think she fits right in. If you haven't you'll still love her. She's that good. Even though 'The minister of the train' does not exist in the graphic novel, you'll get the feeling she should have.
Bottom line here. See Snowpiercer!!
