Back when Snowpiercer dropped in 2013, I really only knew of it as that movie that forced Chris Evans to wear a fake chin when filming The Avengers' post-credit scene, as he'd grown a beard out for filming her. Somehow, I completely missed all the positive press, and only just watched it today on Netflix...and damn do I regret it.
Snowpiercer, at concept level, may seem like an environmentalist movie, but while that theme plays into the scenario, it is background-level at most, allowing for the true focus of the movie to come to light: class warfare and oppression. I was not expecting this to be as brutal, bleak, and frightening as it was, but as soon as they stuck a man's arm outside the train for 7 minutes and then shattered it with a hammer, I knew I was in for some shit, and it only gets better from there on out. Snowpiercer isn't afraid to kill people off, give them some truly Surreal Horror antagonistic forces to contend with, or show all the downsides of humanity's "survival", and for that I truly appreciate it. The plot and characters are truly refreshing in their unexpectedness and writing strength.
And then there's the technical aspects. The cinematography here is incredible - not a single shot feels wasted, and they never go for a standard, level camera angle when they could slow things down, twist the perspective, or zoom in on a focal point, so you're constantly engaged there. The fight during the bridge travel is thrilling and one of the most memorable parts of the movie, mainly due to the creative lighting arrangements and the absolutely insane enemy combatants. Every single car of the train feels distinct and you can understand its purpose from the first frame it appears on, while the costume design completely sells the crapsack situation most everyone is in. And of course, the sound design completely brings you into every single moment.
In short, please watch this movie. It seems to have been critically underviewed during its theatrical run despite making back its money, and that's just not fair for something this good.
One Of The Best Movies I Missed In Theaters
Back when Snowpiercer dropped in 2013, I really only knew of it as that movie that forced Chris Evans to wear a fake chin when filming The Avengers' post-credit scene, as he'd grown a beard out for filming her. Somehow, I completely missed all the positive press, and only just watched it today on Netflix...and damn do I regret it.
Snowpiercer, at concept level, may seem like an environmentalist movie, but while that theme plays into the scenario, it is background-level at most, allowing for the true focus of the movie to come to light: class warfare and oppression. I was not expecting this to be as brutal, bleak, and frightening as it was, but as soon as they stuck a man's arm outside the train for 7 minutes and then shattered it with a hammer, I knew I was in for some shit, and it only gets better from there on out. Snowpiercer isn't afraid to kill people off, give them some truly Surreal Horror antagonistic forces to contend with, or show all the downsides of humanity's "survival", and for that I truly appreciate it. The plot and characters are truly refreshing in their unexpectedness and writing strength.
And then there's the technical aspects. The cinematography here is incredible - not a single shot feels wasted, and they never go for a standard, level camera angle when they could slow things down, twist the perspective, or zoom in on a focal point, so you're constantly engaged there. The fight during the bridge travel is thrilling and one of the most memorable parts of the movie, mainly due to the creative lighting arrangements and the absolutely insane enemy combatants. Every single car of the train feels distinct and you can understand its purpose from the first frame it appears on, while the costume design completely sells the crapsack situation most everyone is in. And of course, the sound design completely brings you into every single moment.
In short, please watch this movie. It seems to have been critically underviewed during its theatrical run despite making back its money, and that's just not fair for something this good.