Sun 22 June
As I have mentioned before (even back in January), my anticipation levels for this film by Bong Joon-ho have been sky high. So to start off, all I can say is it did not disappoint. In fact it took my expectations and blew them out the water! Easliy heading towards the top of my list of favourite films of the year so far.
Snowpiercer, based on the French graphic novel 'Le Transperceneige', is a dystopian sci-fi set within the confines of a train. After a catastrophic ice age hits the planet (brought on by human intervention), this train carries the last of humanity on a never-ending journey around the world. Class wars still carry on, with those at the front of the train sipping champagne and dancing the night away, while those at the tail end of the train struggle for survival and dignity.
Revolution is on the horizon though. Reluctant leader, Curtis (Evans), encouraged by mentor Gilliam (Hurt) and backed by a ragtag group of freedom fighters, begin a march to get to the front of the train and take control of the engine – for ‘whoever controls the engine, controls the world’.
The journey takes the underdogs to the prison area, to free junkie engineer Namgoong Minsoo, the one person who can open the doors between carriages. After which their journey takes them through the length of the train, freeing them from the turgid conditions of the tail end and opening their eyes to the colourful, optimism of the front. Through an array of decadent carriages including an aquarium, a greenhouse, a sauna and swimming pool, a nightclub and a school room – in which a deliriously manic school teacher (Pill) conditions the children to believe unquestionably in the authority of the mysterious Mr Wilford, the train's master.
I don’t know how closely the film follows the graphic novel as I have never read it, so I don’t know if the little twists and turns play out the same, but it was still great to watch. It’s a long film, however the tension builds constantly, the stakes get higher and the fight to the front is anxiety-inducing. It ends with a twist, although I don’t like calling it 'a twist' because it’s not a balls out, stick it to you kind of twist, more of a subtle ‘this is actually how it is, now you have to deal with it’ kind of spin, which makes the revelation all the more devastating.
There is an exceptional cast involved, including Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Song Kang-ho, Octavia Spencer, Ed Harris, Jamie Bell, Luke Pasqualino, Ewan Bremner and Alison Pill. All of whom provide a solid foundation to build upon. Special mentions have to go to both Evans, proving he’s not just a pin-up boy and Marvel superhero, and Swinton, unrecognisable under a mask of fake teeth, weird wigs and thick Scottish accent, for amazing and emotional performances (both pictured above).
I, personally, loved this film! A claustrophobic action thriller, with stylised fight sequences and gripping standoffs which has the scale of a big budget movie and the heart of an independent. It goes against the grain of most big actioners, and between the beautifully choreographed fights focuses on character and class studies, with a splash of political and societal inequality, and environmental disaster. This smart and thoughtful film is then all wrapped up in a big sci-fi bow – what’s not to love. Highly recommended!
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