Snowpiercer is a post-apocalyptic action thriller, adapted from the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige, that follows the story of a train as it travels a completely frozen earth.
The 2013 film follows the events after a global warming crisis leaves only a number of humans left on the planet. They have to survive on a train, travelling in the new ice age, in an ‘end of the world’ style storyline.
In true Chris Evans style, he plays an everyday hero, Curtis Everett, the leader of the lower-class passengers on the back of the train, where they have lived for 17 years. Curtis and his fellow passengers plan to rebel against the elite passengers at the front of the train in a gripping story of class divide.
The segregated train allows the elite to live in the extravagant carriages while the poor are crammed into squalor and overseen by guards. Alongside his mentor, Gillian, Curtis leads a revolt against the upper class and plans to overthrow the guards. The action-packed film features a lot of fighting, which later results in a huge explosion and unusual twist at the end, leaving viewers in shock.
Many viewers shared their appreciation for the film’s director, Bong Joon-ho, who went on to win best picture at the Academy Awards for his film Parasite. One viewer wrote: “Masterpiece. Every frame carries so much meaning. I’ve enjoyed this much more than Parasite.”
Another commented: “Suspenseful, well-acted and interspersed with action scenes that keep the audience member from getting bored. Director Bong has masterfully crafted yet another entertaining flick that will be a delightful evening in.”
First released in 2013, Chris Evans had already signed his multi-film deal with Marvel to play Captain America, but this role saw a new side to the actor. One fan of the film took to Rotten Tomatoes to share that they felt, “All in all, it’s one of Evan’s best works ever,” while another shared, “Chris Evans gives a career-defining performance.”
Evans said the role could not have been more different to Captain America in the Marvel franchise because all of the terrifying visuals were real.
He told GQ: “[It was] incredibly helpful with the tangible environment as opposed to Marvel when you’re talking to green screens and imaginary aliens. Everything was right there for you to touch and react with.”
Film critics have praised the movie in their reviews, with one writing: “Thoughtful, provocative, and far more enjoyable than your average blockbuster, Snowpiercer’s pure entertainment value is outmatched only by its sobering commentary on the continual inhumanity of the human race.”
However, the film has also received its fair share of criticism in comparison to Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho’s other films. One review reads: “Was horrible; I want my time back. I can’t believe I lost almost 2 hours of my life watching such a pathetic movie.”
Another unhappy viewer claimed: “I thought that such a movie would have a better plot and a far more fulfilling ending. After watching Parasite and Bong Joon-ho’s adaptation of The Host, I thought I would’ve been rewarded with a better ending, as the premise and idea of the movie are unique.”