Blu-ray Review: Snowpiercer

Blu-ray Review: Snowpiercer

Undoubtedly one of my favorite films of 2014, Snowpiercer hits the physical disc market following successful runs in limited theatrical and VOD platforms. Based on a French graphic novel, Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho has created a cinematic masterpiece which is a must-see for fans of sci-fi and post-apocalyptic thrillers. Chris Evans leads the cast and never do audiences think they are watching that guy from the Captain America movies. A terrific cast supports him including Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, Ed Harris and Korean star Song Kang Ho.

The story is set 17 years after a new ice age has wiped out most of the human population on Earth. Remaining survivors live on a train perpetually circling the globe and the oppressed masses of the tail section devise a revolt to make their way to the front where the elite live in luxury. New layers to the story are unraveled as the film progresses and one never quite knows what ending is in store. An engaging story and top-notch acting keep the viewer hooked throughout and you even feel some of the rage rooted in this story about class warfare.

There is plenty of behind-the-scenes material on the bonus disc. The nearly one-hour documentary Transperceneige: From the Blank Page to the Black Screen takes you from the French artists who helped conceive the graphic novel to the set to the premiere and release of the film in 2013. Yes, we in America got it a year later. It's a fascinating look at the long journey a feature film goes through, but it is also heavily subtitled with most dialogue in French or Korean. Rare for an English-language film to have this type of international creative team. Plenty of other cast interviews are featured throughout the fine extras.

Blu-ray Title: Snowpiercer

Review by Gitesh Pandya

Run Time: 126 minutes

Anchor Bay Entertainment

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