Review of Snowpiercer (2013) by Quincytheodore — 07 Feb 2015

Post-apocalyptic theme has been used repeatedly in recent time, but half of them barely able to depict the theme’s fundamental dismay. Snowpiercer is not only successful in creating a drab futuristic wintry world, it's also one of the best masterpieces of sci-fi genre. With outstanding direction, amazing script and truly talented cast, Snowpiercer immerses audience in an escapade like Gattaca and Twelve Monkey did years ago.

It tells the story of a constantly moving train in winter apocalypse. This last arc of humanity travels around the world one year at a time, but the passengers are separated in different cars. The tail section occupants in particular suffer from discrimination and entirely terrible inescapable life. Curtis (Chris Evans) leads a rebellion to overthrow the ruling Wilford, keeper of Engine. In the course of one train, the whole civilization of later world is displayed in elegance, both the poverty and opulence.

Acting is immensely superb, with Evans delivering one of his best performances to date. He is a reluctant leader with burden from his past and obligation for the future, and Evans walks as such savior passionately. Props to Tilda Swinton for her intentionally annoying character, I swear she reminds me of the irritating figure of authority, namely my old teacher. It takes skill to portray beauty, but even more so to portray unsightly personality.

Director Joon-ho Bong, of classic thriller, Memories of Murder, brings such poise to the visual. Each car is different in style with bridging social texture and details of the post-apocalyptic life presented without pause. This is a one of few rare movies that paces itself so marvelously well, it delivers suspense not only with every scenes, but almost every minutes of its run time.

The characters are memorable despite they are introduced in short amount of time. Revelations and twists litter the train. Amazingly with so many elements involved, everything seems built with clear purpose. Action might seem in small scale at first, but with swift pace cinematography, fights have incredible thrill. Whether the antagonists arrive at the last car, the journey there will connect the audience better than the partitions its cars do for the passengers.

A sharp medium like Snowpiercer doesn't come often, but when it does, it magnificently transports a view around the best of humanity, or the hope of it, when at its worst.