Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
2.5/4
"Snowpiercer" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 12/18/2019
After an experimental solution to global warming goes horribly wrong, the planet undergoes a new Ice Age and the last vestiges of life on Earth are confined to a self-sustaining train that constantly circles the globe.
In a similar way to High Rise, Snowpiercer is a rather clumsy analogy for class and inequality as the front of the train contains the decadent and over-privileged few while the squalid rear holds the underclass who suffer at the hands of the rule-enforcing middle. Inevitably revolution brews and a suitably intense Chris Evans leads the people forward in an attempt to address the injustices of the system. While the rabble locks horns with the fascistic police force who oppress them, the usual sci-fi standards kick in as the roots and causes of their situation are …
Rating of
3.5/4
Snowpiercer is a Supertrain for Sure
Chris Kavan - wrote on 11/15/2014
Joon-ho Bong essentially turns a tired trope (the post-apocalyptic future) on its head in a wonderful, wicked and semi-serious tale of a future in which to prevent global warming, we bring on a second ice age and the remnants of mankind now reside on a trans-continental train with a perpetual engine. The haves live in luxury in the front - complete with dental care, schools, sushi, rave clubs, meat and all manner of amenities. Those in the back subsist on protein bars (believe me, you do NOT want to know what's in them) - which is a step up from cannibalism. Tilda Swinton is excellent (and nearly unrecognizable) as the front-train representative forced to deal with the dregs while Chris Evans is fine as the back-train resistance leader. Turns from Ed Harris, John Hurt and Korean actors …
Rating of
3/4
WhatKorean dystopia fiction looks like onscreen
Indyfreak - wrote on 11/09/2014
Alison Pill has a cameo playing a pregnant teacher wielding a machine gun that is knifed in the heart after leading a trippy singalong.
That is but one of the flat-out bizarre and off-the-wall moments that happen in Snowpiercer, a very very strange but furious blend of sci-fi dystopia, social commentary, and balls-to-the-wall action.
Economically filmed and directed in a restrained manner that is refreshing compared to most Hollywood action films, the script moves from point A to point B but it's never the same in each train car as a long-simmering rebellion explodes in the tail section (led by Chris Evans) and makes its way to an intense climax.
The cast is excellent, especially Chris Evans and his primary antagonist played by an unrecognizable Tilda Swinton. There's more …
Rating of
3.5/4
A 'Best Of' Dystopian Movie Compilation
Unknown - wrote on 07/07/2014
'Snowpiercer' is an awesome work of originality. It's original in the way it combines multiple genre exercises into a collective piece of excitement. This is a new spin on the 'dystopian future' type of setting. It's themes cover all societal issues you can think of, feeding them into one slick and cohesive plot that is ripe with action and much visual stimulation. Though, it's intentions are more under-the-surface and present for those who pick up on them. No overbearing messages here. It doesn't waste time with needless explanations, character backstories, or world building. My only quibble is the ending that leaves too many questions. The scenes involving the hero's final confrontation with the supposed 'villain' didn't quite give me what I was expecting from the journey …
Rating of
3.5/4
The Thinking Man’s Stupid Action Flick
Looneymanthegreat - wrote on 07/04/2014
Snowpiercer is one part stupidity, one part brilliance and one part insanity. It combines the art house and the slaughter house in ways I’ve never really seen before. Its plot has been done to death (It’s basically just Elysium on a train,) but the movie has a unique style and tone that never takes itself too seriously, and keeps the pacing going. It’s a very flawed movie, but it’s also a breath of fresh air in the midst of the big budget summer blockbusters.
There is a lot of stupid in Snowpiercer, some of it intentional, some of it regrettably unintentional. Yet the movie is never significantly harmed from this, in a way it adds to the realistic/surreal tone of the whole thing. On moment you’re in a gun battle against a psychotic kindergarten teacher, the next your …
Rating of
3.5/4
original interesting and wonderfully directed
smeagol - wrote on 04/01/2014
A sci fi movie about a train that travels the world with the survivors after a ice age wipes out most of the planet.
at the back of the train is the lower class forced to live like animals while in the other compartments they lead a very different life. its only a matter of time before they begin to revolt.
Directed by joon-ho-bong he proves what a wonderful director he is. and i will be keeping a eye out for further movies from him. visually it looks amazing throughout.
with a fine cast of chris evens and john hurt amongst others. the acting is very good.
The story is wild interesting complex yet simple. and yes a little far fetched but so much as to turn you of or make it seem silly. There was only one silly scene from my view which was the kids class scene but the rest was …
