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Snowpiercer (2013)
Starring: Chris Evans, Song-Kang-Ho, Tilda Swinton
Directed by: Bong-Jun-Ho
Based on the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige, Snowpiercer is the lastest film by director Bong-Jun-Ho, a great South Korean director who's specialty is making dark and gritty movies that perfectly blend mainstream elements with arthouse. When I first heard him announce this brand new project of his, I was excited because I knew it would fit him perfectly.
Luckily I was right. Bong's directing style perfectly captured the murkiness of a post-apocalyptic revolution. Not only that, I could see him throughout the film trying different styles in order to adapt to certain scenes, which worked surprisingly well. Without these multiple adaptations it would have been a dark and depressed ride without any ups and downs, especially because its on a train for the whole time where you have limited space and materials for creating thrills and emotions, rather Bong uses the downsides of a claustrophobic setting and turns it into a great strength.
Chris Evans gives the best performance he's given in his career, suppressing his role of Captain America in every way. When in Captain America its 'Captain America'-ish from straight to end in Snowpiercer Chris Evans manages to deliver a variety of acting. The supporting actors and actresses were even huger in terms of their performance, often overshadowing Chris Evans very easily. The one I thought was the best out of the pact is of course Tilda Swinton in her role of Minister. Her speeches sent shivers down my spine, and remains terrifying and crazy every moment she's on the screen. As I explained in these three paragraphs, the film begins with a promising beginning
Unfortunately this promise isn't kept that well. Or is it because the hopes were too high that is blinded me in making me see the truth? Honestly I don't know.
If the movie is a lollipop, the main problem is that the story only licks it, and doesn't even attempt to dig in more and get sweeter and sweeter. There are so many themes that are missed while attempting to keep bringing our heroes to the front tail. It shows you the brainwashed children, it shows you the miserable places, it shows the cruelty but it only ends with the lasting effect of wandering around looking at animals at a pet store.
Not only is the focus is rushing to the front, but its showing us lots of action, would should have not happened. The action scenes in my opinion should only have been used to develop characters and propel the movie forward, not make it a use for dumb entertainment.
At least its pretty good. There's a scene in some sort of sauna where Curtis fights with one of Wilford's, the train's creator and head, best men. The lighting used in the scenes was one of the best I've ever seen. its bright and menacing at the same time, and also has a dooming warmth to it. The punching and the stabbing seem realistic, in contrast to cowardly Hollywood PG-13 fights. Even the R rated fights produced in Hollywood are full of scared people afraid of controversy. The action, especially the scene was indeed a breath of fresh air from the toxic fumes.
When the story actually does get to its main purpose, the front of the train and the engine room which Curtis and his followers need in order to take over the entire moving prison of death, it screws up. I'm not going to tell you how though because then it would be a major spoiler, but I will say it topples everything built up. The ending was supposed to be the best part being a film about a giant revolution, the final chapter of it decides whether its going into history books or not, and it was a complete piece of sh*t.
I know this movie revolves around moving forward, I know what this movie is all about (the viewing before writing my review was my 3rd time watching). I get it... however the thing that bothers me so much, again, is the things that is misses and it doesn't get a hold of what it is between a political allegory (which thankfully worked the best, I'm pointing at you, the wealthy 20 percent!), a gloomy and satirical action film, and a bunch of other stuff ending up in Snowpiercer only ending up to become lost souls.
Verdict:
Starring: Chris Evans, Song-Kang-Ho, Tilda Swinton
Directed by: Bong-Jun-Ho
Based on the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige, Snowpiercer is the lastest film by director Bong-Jun-Ho, a great South Korean director who's specialty is making dark and gritty movies that perfectly blend mainstream elements with arthouse. When I first heard him announce this brand new project of his, I was excited because I knew it would fit him perfectly.
Luckily I was right. Bong's directing style perfectly captured the murkiness of a post-apocalyptic revolution. Not only that, I could see him throughout the film trying different styles in order to adapt to certain scenes, which worked surprisingly well. Without these multiple adaptations it would have been a dark and depressed ride without any ups and downs, especially because its on a train for the whole time where you have limited space and materials for creating thrills and emotions, rather Bong uses the downsides of a claustrophobic setting and turns it into a great strength.
Chris Evans gives the best performance he's given in his career, suppressing his role of Captain America in every way. When in Captain America its 'Captain America'-ish from straight to end in Snowpiercer Chris Evans manages to deliver a variety of acting. The supporting actors and actresses were even huger in terms of their performance, often overshadowing Chris Evans very easily. The one I thought was the best out of the pact is of course Tilda Swinton in her role of Minister. Her speeches sent shivers down my spine, and remains terrifying and crazy every moment she's on the screen. As I explained in these three paragraphs, the film begins with a promising beginning
Unfortunately this promise isn't kept that well. Or is it because the hopes were too high that is blinded me in making me see the truth? Honestly I don't know.
If the movie is a lollipop, the main problem is that the story only licks it, and doesn't even attempt to dig in more and get sweeter and sweeter. There are so many themes that are missed while attempting to keep bringing our heroes to the front tail. It shows you the brainwashed children, it shows you the miserable places, it shows the cruelty but it only ends with the lasting effect of wandering around looking at animals at a pet store.
Not only is the focus is rushing to the front, but its showing us lots of action, would should have not happened. The action scenes in my opinion should only have been used to develop characters and propel the movie forward, not make it a use for dumb entertainment.
At least its pretty good. There's a scene in some sort of sauna where Curtis fights with one of Wilford's, the train's creator and head, best men. The lighting used in the scenes was one of the best I've ever seen. its bright and menacing at the same time, and also has a dooming warmth to it. The punching and the stabbing seem realistic, in contrast to cowardly Hollywood PG-13 fights. Even the R rated fights produced in Hollywood are full of scared people afraid of controversy. The action, especially the scene was indeed a breath of fresh air from the toxic fumes.
When the story actually does get to its main purpose, the front of the train and the engine room which Curtis and his followers need in order to take over the entire moving prison of death, it screws up. I'm not going to tell you how though because then it would be a major spoiler, but I will say it topples everything built up. The ending was supposed to be the best part being a film about a giant revolution, the final chapter of it decides whether its going into history books or not, and it was a complete piece of sh*t.
I know this movie revolves around moving forward, I know what this movie is all about (the viewing before writing my review was my 3rd time watching). I get it... however the thing that bothers me so much, again, is the things that is misses and it doesn't get a hold of what it is between a political allegory (which thankfully worked the best, I'm pointing at you, the wealthy 20 percent!), a gloomy and satirical action film, and a bunch of other stuff ending up in Snowpiercer only ending up to become lost souls.
Verdict: