In a market that has been saturated with dystopian stories, “Snowpiercer” has one of the most unique concepts that I have seen in a while. It is unlike any post-apocalyptic film ever made. The set design, sociological statements, and vision for this film are amazing. In fact, the only letdown was the ending (albeit one of the most important parts of the story). Every great dystopian story has a warped organization of class systems. We have seen characters classified by Districts, virtues, and the amount of time remaining in their lives, but something as simple as the characters’ seating on a train has proven to be incredibly effective. Contained within a perpetually running train, this society is complete with propaganda, rule by intimidation, uprisings, and even a god (Wilford). The journey of these characters into the unknown progressively reveals the events that have led them to this place. The clever script is complimented by excellent acting by Chris Evans, Octavia Spencer, and John Hurt. The highlight, however, is Tilda Swinton. I was never a fan of her, but now I’m on her bandwagon for a Best Supporting nomination for this role. It was just something about the contrast between her emotional detachment in the first scene and her humanity later on. She perfectly captures the approach of a power-hungry henchman with her first monologue and it’s all uphill from there. If for no other reason, “Snowpiercer” is a must-see for Swinton’s performance. The plot constantly builds momentum, angst, and frustration as the future of humanity is revealed. Not to mention the amazing action sequences, inspired sets, and an amazing monologue that reveals everything that we need to know about Curtis and the beginnings of tail dwellers. I’m not at piece with its ending, but I still look forward to revisiting “Snowpiercer” in the near future.
[Pictured: Tilda Swinton's performance is utterly stunning]
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