Review: Snowpiercer Never Runs Out Of Steam
- May 17, 2018
- 2 min read
Imagine the social ladder, all the structures of our world, the rich, the poor, the employed and the not, everything and everyone, trapped within the confines of an enormous, intercontinental train. Insurrection is inevitable.
Following a failed solution to global warming, one that instead plunged the globe into Antarctic temperatures, all that's left of mankind live aboard the Snowpiercer, a miraculous train powered by a mysterious engine. For the last 17 years Snowpiercer has traveled the globe, balancing on a knife edge. Everything has its place, and any shift, in any direction, could topple the whole train. Enter Curtis Everett (Chris Evans), a would be revolutionary and fixed point for the lower classes at the back of the train. Guided by his old friend Gilliam (John Hurt), and spurred on by the actions of Minister Mason (Tilda Swinton), he leads a revolt, one that will change his world, and that of everyone on-board, forever.
There's a lot going on in Snowpiercer. Aside from being an analogy filled dissection of the class system, an excellent action film and a solid character piece, it's also a cracking good sci-fi film. To start with, the performances are very good, with Swinton's methed out Margaret Thatcher-esque character stealing the show with an ease that only someone such as herself could pull of. Then there's the setting, the way in which so much of our world is shaped and molded by the cramped confines of the train. From carriages dedicated to aquariums to the grinders where the lower classes' protein blocks are made, it all seems somewhat plausible.
The real star however, is the action. There's some truly unique sequences that highlight the way in which this world operates, as well just being really well done scenes. In particular, a scene involving an axe-centric brawl stands out as it shifts over the course of events, in introducing new elements and shifting both the way it is perceived by the audience, and the way it affects those within the film. Indeed, much of the films' action scenes shift and flow, forcing characters to respond and die. And unlike the vast majority of films these days, Snowpiercer isn't afraid to kill.
We must each of us occupy our preordained particular position. Snowpiercer's preordained position is held high. As it tackles big issue topics with the panache of a sturdy action sci-fi, there is no question, Snowpiercer is a great movie.
Comments