The international train, Snowpiercer, (directed by Joon-ho Bong (The Host)) finally rolled into theaters here in America. I recommend you hop on board while it's still around.
The film opens in present day, and people are all concerned about global warming and the damage we're doing. So, in our infinite wisdom, us humans created some chemical or something to counteract it. It does the complete opposite and brings on a new ice age, killing off everything. There was one man, however, who had invented a train that runs on some sort of perpetual motion engine, basically meaning that it runs forever without stopping.....because science. The people who were lucky enough to get on board are the last people on Earth. Cut to 17 years later. The train has been divided into different classes. The haves live up in the front by the engine. The have-nots live at the tail end. Soldiers come to the back to check the head count routinely and give the "lower class" some protein bars for food. They also occasionally kidnap the children. Enter Curtis (Chris Evans, Captain America: The Winter Soldier), the reluctant hero, to lead the tail-enders on a rebellion to run the length of the train and take over the engine.
This film is really heavy handed with the commentary on society and classes. The haves and have-nots, the rich vs. the poor. Any given movie has some sort of social commentary, or reflects the views of the filmmaker, but the heavy handed ones *cough* Avatar *cough* usually lose me. This one kept me by also being a very entertaining film. I did like the way it turned things around and brought everything full circle at the end, much like the train ride itself, though. The movie was good from the start, but it got even better when some questions started getting answered. I think this film did a good job of getting most of my big questions answered, even the one about why they would even keep the tail-enders alive if they were such a nuisance. You can watch this movie and see the tail-enders working their way up the scale of society. They fight through the soldiers in the middle of the train (the middle class), up to the front of the train (the 1%ers). Or you could just watch this film for the bizarre, entertaining romp that it is. You take the journey with these people because each time they come to the door of the next car, you are just as clueless about what is behind it as they are. Anyway you look at it, it is just an entertaining, well acted, fun movie.
For the most part, the story is pretty serious. It even gets downright violent and bloody at times. The only pitfall of the film may be that at some points it just gets weird out of the blue. One example, without spoiling, would be a big battle in the middle of the train. There is a scene involving a fish that just makes you wonder what it was even about and kind of takes you out of the moment. It comes around and sets up a sight gag later, but still leaves you wondering. In the same fight scene everyone just stops, and when you find out why it's another wtf moment. There is even one particular character that seems very out of place in the whole thing. Tilda Swinton (Constantine) plays Mason, sort of the "right hand man" to the creator of the train. She is just over the top goofy with fake teeth and a big old overbite. She is taken as a hostage by the rebellion to help them get through the train. She is such a key player that you eventually just go with it because she stays so well in character the entire time.
The rest of the acting was really good as well. Chris Evans does a wonderful job as the reluctant hero. You wonder the whole time why he doesn't think he's good enough to lead this group even though he does a hell of a job of it. He does get to have a monologue towards the end that he delivers well, and also makes you wish you hadn't wondered. Among the rest of the cast is a kind of mentor to Curtis, Gilliam (John Hurt, Alien). He was one who once was friends with the train's creator. Then Curtis has a young man who idolizes him played wonderfully by Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot). To get through each door, they break Namgoong (Kang-ho Song, The Host) out of prison along with his daughter Yona (Ah-sung Ko, The Host). Namgoong is the designer of the doors separating each car of the train. He and his daughter agree to help in exchange for a potent drug they are addicted to on the train. They are quiet figures and you slowly figure out their story as the film progresses, and get to know just what other motivations they have. That is another great thing about this film. Chris Evans is leading the rebellion, but the film is not just focused on him. It takes the time to develop each of the supporting characters without getting overly drawn out and also without derailing the main story. And finally, in mentioning the performances, I can't fail to mention the kick-ass Tanya who joins the crusade because she is on a mission to find her kidnapped son. She is played by the always wonderful Octavia Spencer (The Help).
This film is just a fun and bizarre ride. The first viewing is the best also, because you just never know what you're going to get behind each new door. The cinematography is done well too. It does get bloody, but the camerawork is done in a way that the actual blows are not shown on screen, but it still gives you enough of the picture to squirm a little. There are also some beautiful shots of the frozen wasteland outside of the train. This movie will definitely not be for everyone. However, if a little blood doesn't scare you away, and you like action (with a few random moments of weirdness), then I recommend taking a ride on this crazy train.
Rating: *********- (9 out of 10)
Memorable Quote:
Mason: Know your place. Accept your place. Be a shoe.
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