SNOWPIERCER (BLU-RAY REVIEW)

​Based on the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige, the movie Snowpiercer has had a long journey to British screens, but it is here at last and a superb Blu-Ray release.

As you may know, this film has had a difficult time getting here. Short version: The Weinstein Company, who had the distribution rights, asked for some cuts to the movie and director Bong Joon-ho refused to make them, so the movie languished in limbo for many years.
So, not it’s here, was it worth the wait?

First off, the cast is off the chart. John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Chris Evams, Ed Harris, Octavia Spencer, Ewan Bremner and Director Bong regular Song Kang-ho make an impressive line up. And they all deliver some of the best performances of their career. Although, let’s be honest, for Swinton and Hurt in particular, I think it’s physically impossible for them to be anything but amazing.

But what of the film itself? The Snowpiercer of the title is a train, on a perpetual loop around the Earth, holding the last remnants of humanity, keeping them safe from the ice age outside. Kind og like High Rise on its side, the train represents the social structures of society, with the poor people at the back, barely clinging to life and living off horrible protein blocks that look like the worst kind of brown jelly. At the front are the rich and powerful, living in luxury.

Chris Evans plays Curtis, who leads a revolution from the back of the train and fights his way forward to the front to confront the leader.

And man what a fight it is. Step by bloody step they make their way forwards. If you have seen any of Director Bong’s other work, you’ll know some of what to expect. There is a vicious streak of black humour running through it, as well as some searing satire. And when the violence happens… oh boy, it really happens. Axes and spears fly as the front and back of the train fight in narrow corridors and tiny rooms. The most horrific moment is one I’ll not spoil, I’ll just say that it’s a comment made by a character during a speech towards the end of the movie, were they mention the worst thing about their life.

The Blu-Ray transfer looks superb, and the movie itself easily skips through its two hour running time. The extras on the disc are the usual studio fluff, but there is also a great hour long French language documentary about the graphic novel and its journey to the screen.
So, in summary – buy this. You won’t regret it.

Review by Richmond Clements

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