Snowpiercer is a visually-arresting, thought-provoking and action-packed sci-fi thriller based on French graphic novel, Le Transperceneige. It’s headed by Captain America, one times Chris Evans, who is backed by a critically-acclaimed ensemble including: John Hurt, Octavia Spencer, Ed Harris, Tilda Swinton, Kang-ho Song and Jamie Bell.

The film is set in a future where a climate change experiment gone wrong has killed all life on planet Earth except for the passengers on the Snowpiercer, a train that circles the globe. We’re slowly immersed in a dire situation as the “slaves” at the back of the train scheme to overthrow their cruel taskmasters.

Snowpiercer counterbalances Pleasantville against the Holocaust with a futuristic story of survival, systematic oppression and bloody revolution. The strangely compelling tone ventures from bleak survival drama to dark comedy as we’re treated to a mix comparable with both Chan-wook Park’s Oldboy and Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle.

Writer-director Joon-ho Bong, best known for Korean monster movie The Host, has made another film that bridges the divide between art house and commercial cinema. Much like The Host, you sense a socio-political agenda at play as we’re subjected to entertaining and thought-provoking action poetry of the highest order.

“Eddie, please reveal what’s behind morgue door number 4.”

Chris Evans works pretty well as a complex hero, conveying his own cold-blooded good guy screen persona into a role that requires a convincing action man with dramatic intensity. He’s supported by a fine cast, who each bring so much weight to their relatively small parts, that it’s difficult to pinpoint a weak link.

The cinematography is imaginative and striking as we enter highly stylised uprising sequences that blend surreal lighting and colours with bold choices, heavy themes and ultra-violence. At one stage, we bear witness to a Kill Bill: Vol I style axe gang bloodbath and then we’re subjected to a flamboyant nightmare with a tone akin toThe Hunger Games.

While not anime, it has distinct similarities and ventures into the same territory as Dredd for intensity and violence. Each coach presents a new scene and challenge, hitched together like a number of video game levels. Snowpiercer’s graphic novel origins are beautifully translated, smoothing over the film’s inconsistencies. The story does come dangerously close to losing it’s footing as some moments border on the ridiculous.

Yet, despite these minor setbacks, we still have a smart, stylish and mindblowing thinking man’s sci-fi actioner that has something to say about social order and our environment. If you’re someone who wants films that can dazzle, entertain and challenge you intellectually, then you should buy a ticket to board Snowpiercer.

The bottom line: Compelling

Release date: 17 October, 2014
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