Movie Review: Snowpiercer

This is a polarizing movie. It's one you either hate or love, very few fall in between. I loved it! My son hated it!  For me, the movie reminded me of 1984, Brave New World, and Solvent Green.  For my son it was a grade B minus terrible production. Maybe I should first give a little of what the movie is about before I begin talking about production.

Snowpiercer is set on a train. A train that runs on a track that takes a whole year to finish a cycle. The inhabitants of the train have been "passengers" for seventeen years. The reason they are on the train is because a failed experiment to stop global warming has caused the Earth to become extremely cold. The coldness has caused extinction. The only inhabitants of Earth are on the Snowpiercer.

The movie starts off running and never slows down. It is very fast moving and you will learn the "secrets" of the train along the journey. The journey consists of the fate of several of the back riders on the last train car deciding that they don't like life and are too enslaved and want to take over the train. Their journey takes them through the train into the many worlds that the train cars hold. The train cars hold everything from a 1920's style club in one car, to an all enclosing aquarium in another car.

The movie is basically a non-stop action ride with the have-nots, trying to find out exactly what the haves, have. This is an eye-opening look into the world. The fact that it is all going on inside a train just makes it more exciting. What do the people eat? Where do they get water? How are they controlling the train? Well to answer those questions would ruin the film. So, if you want to find out, you need to get to watching!

The reason my son hated the movie is because it is very easy to pick apart. It also needs to be watched in whole because it is very confusing if you miss any of the storyline. It is not a movie you can jump into half way, and even remotely figure out. It is a movie that is for enjoyment and doesn't stand up to much questioning. It is also a mind bender that will keep you thinking and analyzing long after the last frame has played.

Chris Evans does a wonderful job playing the disenchanted hero of the lower class. Tilda Swinton is so annoying that you will want to slap her, but she does a totally awesome job playing her character. Octavia Spencer plays the mother of the year who is willing to sacrifice everything for her child. The actors do a wonderful job of getting into their characters lives and are very believable in their roles.

I could go on and on about why I liked the movie, but my best suggestion is to just watch it. You may fall into the "love" camp, or maybe even the "hate" camp. Whichever side you pick, come back to discuss! Share why you picked your camp in the comments. I would love to hear your thoughts!