BLU-RAY REVIEW: Snowpiercer

**JessHorsley** · 10-20-2014, 11:41 PM

French Sci-Fi Graphic Novel Becomes Korean Post-Apocalyptic Thriller...

It seems post-apocalyptic movies and TV are assaulting the American big screen and small screen nowadays. From The Walking Dead, Falling Skies and Revolution to World War Z, Rover and Live.Die.Repeat. among others, there's been a seemingly non-stop bombardment of post apocalyptic tales to keep fans like myself engaged and entertained. It may be a bit awkward then my new favorite post-apocalyptic film, the one I'm telling everyone I know about, is a Korean film called Snowpiercer.

Brought to life on screen by Joon-ho Bong (The Host, Mother), co-written for the screen by Bong and Kelly Masterson, and based on the French graphic novel Transperceneige by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand and Jean-Marc Rochette, Snowpiercer is undeniably one of the most creative, entertaining, thrilling, depressing and rewarding pieces of film I've seen in the last five years. It must first be said that the less one knows about Snowpiercer prior to watching the movie, the better. In fact, I was weary of watching even the film's trailer (below) before I watched the movie. That said, I do think unlike many sci-fi films (where the film's trailer tells most of the story and the film itself simply fills in the blanks), the trailer for Snowpiercer does a great job of raising questions. Go ahead, have a look and see what you think!

See what I mean?

So here's all I'm willing to tell you about the plot of Snowpiercer without spoiling anything...

The future is cold - very, very cold. In an attempt to battle global warming, humankind unleashed a chemical into the atmosphere to help manage the gradual uptick in temp. Unfortunately, it did its job too well and ushered in a new ice age, thus killing a majority of all living things on the planet: plants, animals, people. Those that survived live only because of the Snowpiercer, a massive train circumventing the entire globe, traversing the harshest of climes non-stop thanks to its magnificent and beautifully designed engine. As with all places in which people exist, the train features a diverse population made up of those who "have" and those who "have not." Those that have enjoy a fairly luxurious life at the front of the train while those who have not stamp out a less than stellar existence in the back. Just like the world in which we live today, those who have the power make the rules and lord over those less than meaningful beings whose existence is simply managed and maintained but rarely considered. But what happens when those with nothing left to lose realize they have everything to gain by rebelling against their oppressors?

It is this question Snowpiercer asks and Snowpiercer does an exceptional job of describing not only a bleak and hopeless future but a very real and current dichotomy which exists today, in our present time. While the film is based on a French graphic novel originally published in 1982, the story obviously lends itself to society throughout the ages, describing a tale of those without who have been discarded and rundown, beaten and abused; those meek beings who seek to regain a sense of self-worth, dignity and respect in order to live the life they feel they deserve. And, honestly, who can blame them?

Chris Evans, who most of us know as Captain America from the Marvel films, does an outstanding job here as Curtis Everett, the leader of the revolution. Both a tortured soul and a reluctant leader, Everett seeks to make amends for past crimes as well as provide for those he cares for and loves. Complimenting Evans is an impressive cast, including Ed Harris as Wilford, the creator and mastermind behind the trains engine; Tilda Swinton as Mason, Wilford's second in command and the oppressor's voice to the people in the back of the train; Jamie Bell as Edgar, Everett's second in command and the lowest of the low; Octavia Spencer as Tanya, a mother seeking to recover her child from the front of the train; Korean actor Song Kang-ho as Namgoong Minsu, the security expert on the train; and - in an amazing role that's emotional as it is instrumental to the film - John Hurt as Gilliam, a mentor and guide to Everett, a man whose words and advice shape the very future of all aboard the Snowpiwercer.

At times violent and brutal as well as tender and beautiful, Snowpiercer exists, like many sci-fi films which seek to provide social or political commentary, in a space that provides plenty of intellectual and emotional challenge to viewers. The film does an excellent job of forcing viewers to reflect on not only the structure of our current society but also other social and political issues up to debate: rewards and punishments, utilitarianism vs deontological ethics, over-crowing and population control, even drug use and abuse are among the topics featured within. What's maybe most impressive - and intelligent - about Snowpiercer is the film challenges viewers to consider all of these debatable topics without forcing anyone to choose a side. Considering what's actually best for the entire train may not be what's best for a single train car or what's best for all of humankind isn't best for one single human being is of course difficult to consider. Morals aside, in a world like the one found in Snowpiercer, luxuries like happiness, harmony, and hope might be just as frozen as the world outside the train.

As far as the technical features of the film, both the video and audio impress. The 1080p video breaths life into even the mundane and lifelessly flat color pallette as well as gorgeously represents the beautiful and vibrant colors later seen in the film. Likewise, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is awesome, bringing viewers on board the train for the trip of a lifetime. The dialogue is clear and present as are audio effects and the (at times) intense score.

As far as special features, the first disc includes the film as well as an audio commentary with Geek Nation's Scott Weinberg hosting a variety of critics and cinephiles, including James Rocchi, the Austin Chronicle's William Goss, Hitfix.com's Drew Mcweeny, Deadline's Jennifer Yamato, and Movies.com's Peter S. Hall. These six discuss topics throughout the film; everything from the score and cast to the story's themes, set design and more. Engaging and well put together; fans of the film will want to give it a listen.

The second disc includes a treasure trove of bonus materials, including the awesome 55-minute long documentary "Transperceneige: From the Blank Page to the Black Screen -- A Documentary by Jésus Castro-Ortega." This feature-length documentary explores the development of the film from a small French graphic novel originally released some three decades ago to a big-budget, live action film. The meetings with original creators, the source material, the actors and set design, the fans and even the film's release all see mention here as well as insight into the original creators' thoughts on the film. Well worth a watch and, by far, the most enjoyable of the bonus features.

Other bonus features include the 15-minute "The Birth of Snowpiercer," a simpler, shorter but still informative look at the making-of process; the 13-minute "The Characters," focusing on the film's cast and crew; the 4-minute "Animated Prologue," a short, animated opening; the near 5-minute "Chris Evans & Tilda Swinton on Snowpiercer," featuring these two actors sharing their thoughts on the film; the 8-minute "The Train Brought to Life: Behind the Scenes of a Special Screening," which gives a short look at a promo screening tour for the film which showed in Texas; and finally an impressive "Concept Art Galleries" section filled with beautifully drawn art both seen in the film and done to help bring the story to life on the big screen.

There's little doubt in my mind Snowpiercer will become a cult favorite with fans of the post apocalyptic films; it's got everything moviegoers love in a movie: an interesting setting, a super-talented cast, an engaging story, an affirming struggle and conflict...not to mention it forces you to question society and politics...and not just those seen in the film, but those we live with today. While Snowpiercer hardly saw any press or promotion when it was release in the USA earlier this year, it's a sure bet - at least by word of mouth - it'll find its way into the hands of sci-fi fans and thriller lovers to enjoy soon. Be sure to pick up your copy this week when it hits store shelves on Tuesday, October 21 and tell your friends and other movie lovers your thoughts! And don't forget to share your thoughts with us below!

Snowpiercer is rated R for violence, language and drug content and is available this week on Blu-ray and DVD wherever fine home video is sold.

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