Hello everybody! Today, we’re going to discuss the 2013 movie Snowpiercer. This movie is directed by Bong Joon-ho. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he directed the extremely successful, Oscar-winning Parasite.
You know, it’s funny how my introduction to the film came about. My husband and I were watching a YouTube clip. Someone was reviewing the Netflix film The Platform. They said it was a mix of Snowpiercer and The Cell.
My husband strongly disagreed that The Platform (we watched it a few days before we saw the review) was anything like Snowpiercer. I told him that I’d never watched Snowpiercer. He was shocked! We immediately turned it on.
The Cold Train
Well…we’ve finally done it! Humanity has obliterated the ozone and brought about massive global warming. And, in classic human being fashion, we overcorrect. The world decides to spray something in the air to normalize the global temperature. But, like I said, we overcorrected.
The substance brought the temperature down too far and now the earth is entirely too cold. You can’t even live on the planet. Luckily, I guy named Wilford (Ed Harris) builds a completely self-sustaining train. A good guy right? No.
The people that paid to be on the train live closer to the front, while the people that are living on the train for free, live in the back. You can imagine the squalid conditions of the back of the train. The food they’re given is a disgusting protein bar.
Curtis (Chris Evans) has lived in the back of the train for the past 17 years. He and the others decide to take over the train to bring some equality into their little world. They begin a revolt to make it to the front of the train, where Curtis plans on killing Wilford so that poor person Gilliam (John Harris) will lead the people.
We Need to Talk About Chris Evans
I’m sure most people in the world know Chris Evans as Steve Rodgers/Captain America. Even though he played the crap out of the role, that’s not even my favorite character. He was also Lucas Lee in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, one of my favorite movies. Recently, he played the sly yet spoiled Ransom in Knives Out. I tell you what, Evans has range when it comes to acting. He’s so believable in any role he plays.
Curtis is a deliciously complex character. It is so important that you connect with Curtis because you are with him the entire movie. Curtis is very driven to succeed. You think it’s because he’s tired of living in poverty, but it goes so much deeper than that.
Keeping It Classy
You know, Bong Joon-ho seems to find interesting ways to explore the theme of class in society. In both Snowpiercer and Parasite, we watch the “have-nots” trying to take from the “haves”.
What I really appreciate about both films is that the “have-nots” aren’t perfectly innocent and just cursed with being poor. In Snowpiercer, the people riding in the caboose have done horrible things on this train, even Curtis.
Overall
What an amazing journey! This movie has so many twists and surprises, it’s ridiculous. But the twists flow so seamlessly into the film, that you aren’t lost or confused. The acting is incredible. We’re on a train and it feels like there’s some new hurdle in every car. Wait until they get to the car where the poor’s food is manufactured!
My husband’s right. Snowpiercer is not similar to The Platform. Not in the least. Snowpiercer and The Platform are available now on Netflix.
Wrapping It Up
Well, that’s it for Snowpiercer. Coming up, I begin my review of Tower of God. I didn’t think I was going to review it, but since I’m home for the foreseeable future, I thought “why not?”. I’m also going to bring you my Wondery Podcast List. I will see you later!
Couch Cruisin' 