Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Snowpiercer Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 19, 2014

Bong Joon-ho's "Snowpiercer" (2013) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Korean distributors CJ Entertainment. The supplemental features on the two-disc set include multiple featurettes, video interviews, filmed discussions, promotional materials; and a lot more. In English, with optional English, Korean, and Korean SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The last moving train on Earth

The future. The developed nations have used a special gas to cool off the planet, but the gas has transformed it into a giant desert covered by ice and snow. The few survivors have gathered on an ultra-modern train which generates the power, heat, food supplies, water and everything else people need to stay alive. The train is circling the planet and never stops.

But there is a problem --the train is designed to serve only a certain number of people. If the crucial balance is disrupted, the system would collapse, the train would stop and everyone would die.

To maintain the balance, a large group of survivors at the very end of the train are fed only with low-grade protein bars, and periodically some of them are terminated. There have been riots, but the train’s creator (Ed Harris) and his guards have crushed them. Now, the unfortunate ones have been permanently isolated from the fortunate ones. But after years of abuse a few have figured out a way to outsmart the guards, reach the engine and bring justice to the train.

Loosely based on the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige, Snowpiercer is a fast, flashy, violent and refreshingly thought-provoking film that stands well above the typical action films Hollywood produces. It is directed by Korean helmer Bong Joon-ho, whose previous film, Mother, an outstanding social drama with a Hitchcockian twist, is one of my favorite contemporary Asian films.

Snowpiercer has two contrasting identities. The first should appeal to viewers who like dark futuristic films with plenty of old-school action. (To be perfectly clear, there is enough graphic action here to warm up the hearts of those who are tired of seeing PG-13 films dominating the genre). Indeed, the action sequences are not only beautifully shot, but a number of them are wonderfully choreographed as well. The film also creates and sustains the type of atmosphere that made Richard Stanley’s Hardware and Tony Maylam’s Split Second fun to watch. What type of atmosphere would that be? Let’s just say that for the duration of the film one really gets transported to the future -- it just feels like it.

The second identity is that of a concerned sci-fi film that wants to deliver an important message. Andrei Tarkovsky's Solaris was once such a film, carefully trying to open the eyes of the Soviets and make them ponder and reassess what matters in life.

The ending is really great. If one pays attention to the way the creator of the engine describes the ecosystem, how it functions and how it needs to be preserved despite the fact that it is fundamentally flawed, one should easily realize how similar it is to the modern world we live in. And then there are the fascinating observations about freedom and equality. Are they really as important as advertised? Or are they just empty words that have always served the needs of people with hidden agendas?

In addition to Harris, the cast includes Chris Evans, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Song Kang-ho, Ko An-sung, Jamie Bell, and Octavia Spencer.

The film was lensed by Hong Kyung-pyo (Mother, Tae Guk Gi - The Brotherhood of War). The atmospheric soundtrack was created by Oscar nominated American composer Marco Beltrami (The Hurt Locker, Mesrine).

Snowpiercer Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Bong Joon-ho's Snowpiercer arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Korean distributors CJ Entertainment.

Despite the fact that light is frequently restricted, the overwhelming majority of the film looks exceptionally rich and vibrant. Especially during the second half, where the rebels begin moving towards the engine, there is a wide range of spectacularly saturated colors. Depth and clarity are excellent. Image fluidity is also very good. Overall image stability is excellent. Lastly, there are no serious encoding anomalies to report in this review (this includes macroblocking and other common digital anomalies). All in all, this is a very solid presentation of Snowpiercer that is guaranteed to please its fans as well as viewers who are going to experience the film for the first time on Blu-ray. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).

Snowpiercer Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1. For the record, CJ Entertainment have provided optional English, Korean, and Korean SDH subtitles for the main feature.

The lossless track is outstanding. It has a wide range of nuanced dynamics and the surround movement is excellent throughout the entire film (a few of the train effects are really quite impressive). This isn't surprising, however, as Snowpiercer is a very recent film and it is clear that its creators were going for a notably active sound design. The dialog is crisp, stable, and always easy to follow. There are no audio dropouts or distortions to report in this review.

Snowpiercer Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: Please note that all of the supplemental features are placed on Disc Two.

• Documentary - this long documentary feature focuses on the production history and receptio of Snowpiercer. Included in it are interviews with director Bong Joon-ho, the creators of the graphic novel Le Transperceneige, etc. In French and Korean, with optional Korean subtitles. (55 min, 1080p).

• Interview - video interview with director Bong Joon-ho. In Korean, not subtitled. (42 min, 1080p).

• Interview - director Bong Joon-ho discusses the visual design/sets of Snowpiercer. In Korean, not subtitled. (8 min, 1080p).

• Featurette - featuring raw footage from the shooting of the film with comments from director Bong Joon-ho and cast members. In Korean and English, with optional Korean subtitles where necessary. (42 min, 1080p).

• Featurette II - a look at the special effects in the film. In Korean and English, with optional Korean subtitles where necessary. (12 min, 1080p).

• Featurette III - additional raw footage from the shooting of the film. In Korean and English, with optional Korean subtitles where necessary (19 min, 1080p).

• Featurette IV - additional raw footage from the shooting of the film. In Korean and English, with optional Korean subtitles where necessary (17 min, 1080p).

• Featurette V - additional raw footage from the shooting of the film. This segment focuses on the action sequences and the special effects. In Korean and English, with optional Korean subtitles where necessary (20 min, 1080p).

• Featurette VI - additional raw footage from the shooting of the film. This segment focuses on the different set designs from the area where the big engine is. In Korean and English, with optional Korean subtitles where necessary (24 min, 1080p).

• Interview/Featurette - a closer look at the train's interior design. In English, with optional Korean subtitles. (14 min, 1080p).

• Short Film - this short animated features was inspired by Bong Joon-ho's Snowpiercer. In English and Korean, with optional Korean subtitles where necessary. (5 min, 1080p).

• Promotional Materials - trailers, TV spots, promo clips, and more.

Snowpiercer Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Bong Joon-ho's latest film, Snowpiercer, should appeal to viewers who enjoy atmospheric futuristic films with plenty of old-school action. There are also some truly thought-provoking observations in it about the world we live in and the way we treat each other. The film looks fantastic in high-definition and there are plenty of supplemental features on this Korean Blu-ray release. Unfortunately, not all of the content is English-friendly. Still, this is a great release. RECOMMENDED.