Animated 'Snowpiercer' Set Up

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'Snowpiercer' Trailer. Snowy, yes, but piercing? Not So Much

When I first heard of Bong Joon-ho's 'Snowpiercer' I was thinking this would be a showstopper. The kind of flick you stand in line for, get your popcorn, sit back and relish. The setting was so new and sharply cut it was practically a game changer. I could hardly wait.

But, this first trailer is something of a head-scratcher. I don't get the energy. Is this a class drama set on a train, the existence of which is explained by the never-ending snowstorm (although, how that would necessitate a non-stop 24/7 train isn't clear), or is the movie a sci-fi thriller that happens to take place on a train, the existence of which lends nothing special to the plot?

Right now, based on this trailer, I don't know which is the case. However, neither possibility holds much appeal. Two things need to happen in future trailers/clips for me to get back on board...so to speak. The class tension has to have a compelling sci-fi or fantasy hook, and the fact that everything happens on this train has to make sense, be exciting and interesting, rather than simply a device that makes this movie a one-location (read: inexpensive) exercise.

As things stand, I feel like I'm being taken for a ride. Hoping for more.






















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Making 'Snowpiercer'

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'Snowpiercer' Gets Posters

John Hurt. Love this poster.

There are 8 more

Poster for 'Snowpiercer'

Liking it, liking it.

Could somebody open a window? Some background

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Joon-ho Bong's 'Snowpiercer' Taken From Le Transperceneige

Joon-ho Bong is one of those directors whose visual style sets him apart. Much of 'The Host' reminded me of Spielberg's camera work. The quality is there even in the above still from 'Snowpiercer'. Really, most directors could not produce a frame this well done.

There's a lot of interest in the film. One bit that catches my attention is from the synopsis from Wiki:

• The film is set in a future where, after a failed experiment to stop global warming, an Ice Age kills off all life on the planet except for the inhabitants of the Snow Piercer, a train that travels around the globe and is powered by a sacred perpetual-motion engine. A class system evolves on the train but a revolution brews.

A 'sacred perpetual motion engine'? The perpetual motion part is pretty good but the sacred part is even better. Very interesting. There's plot possibilities in that.

Another interesting thing is the story takes place after a 'failed experiment to stop global warming'. Well...so? Yeah, that would be par for the course for a screenplay these days -- there ain't a lot of people who argue about the changing environment anymore -- except this movie is based on the graphic novel 'Le Transperceneige'.

The novel was written between 1978 and 1982. So, a story about mankind after global warming has wrecked the environment which was written decades ago and probably conceived of 40 years ago. Somehow, worth noting.

The cast is noteworthy, too.

I mean, really. Could this be any more must-see.

If you missed them, here's some concept art.

These, I believe, are from the novel.

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