Snowpiercer review

I was on the flight on the way back to Malaysia and it was during daytime. I couldn't sleep and time was all I had. So I decided to watch this film. It does demand a certain level of concentration to watch. I won't be able to watch it during normal time because too many distractions if I watch it on my computer. On a plane, watching movies is the most interesting thing I could do. 

I first knew about this film when it came out of theater in 2013. It was in french and the title was Transperceneige. It had a not bad trailer but it didn't attract me that much to go to cinema to watch it. On one hand, it has some big names starring in it like Chris Evans, John Hurt and Tilda Swinton, on the other, it also includes some koreans which I know nothing about them. Plus It was directed by a korean and it just didn't have much credibility in my mind at that time, no offence to korean film industry. 

But owh my! How I was wrong! The story sets in the post-apocalyptic Earth. A disaster had sent the Earth into a permanent ice age. It is almost two decades after the disaster, the remaining survivors are all on a train which runs endlessly around the globe. Just like the Walking Dead, it is not about the apocalypse but the humanity. Leave aside the logic, the premise is fascinating. But be warned, this movie is not for everybody as some of themes are really grim.  

It starts off with a revolt of the poor leading by Chris Evans' character. The poor lives in the last compartment of the train. To gain control of the train, they must take control of the engine room in the very first compartment. So the first and the second acts are about the challenges and resistances they face as they move on from compartment to compartment. I can't be sure if the third act is the first of its kind, I kinda see it somewhere before. But it certainly will make the audience contemplate.

I really like this movie and I hate it when good stuff doesn't get much recognition. I admit that certain special effects in this movie are still needed to be polished. But who can blame the film maker. By comparing with the budget of some hollywood blockbusters, I would say the crew of Snowpiercer had done a decent job. With a handsome budget and proper advertissement, it could have been a hit in the box office.