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Armageddon has occurred, but a number of people survive and got onto an "ark-like" train that endlessly is propelled around a long track and commanded by a mysterious figure. The passengers, finally, decide to revolt because of their mistreatment at the hands of the train police and the lack of hope their dreary existence provides.
This decidedly is not a Hollywood-style disaster film. Just as director Bong Joon-ho turned the monster genre on its head with, "The Host," so does he here.
I really would be doing a disfavor to discuss much of the film because it is one revelation after another. Part of the fun, if indeed any of this can so be described, is seeing the surprising number of well-known actors that Bong assembled and then gave, obviously, lots of creative freedom. More than a few of these characters will enter into film-goers' favorites.
Entertaining, cerebral… this film ices the competition.
Follow Ups:
Agree. Great film.
I mean, I "get" all the microcosm-of-world stuff and societal commentary, but the whole movie came off a bit too adolescent and simplistic IMO. Disappointed especially given the promising cast..
Simple? It was an allegory, of course, but the story from the beginning cannibalism to the train master selecting his heir hardly was simple. Several reviewers, in fact, have complained it was too complex--- that it was too serious.
Bong Jooh-ho's films often pick popular topics, i.e. serial killers, monsters--- and then use them as vehicles to inspect and comment on larger society.
If you were looking for Schopenhauer, you went to the wrong place...
fds
What do critics know anyway :)
Allegory or not, what also continually bothered me through the movie was the acting, i.e. good actors phoning in their dialogue.
Mr. Song is one of the most compelling actors I've seen, yet he mumbles through the movie with dialogue as compelling as dead fish.
Always hated Chris Evans and he does not do anything to change my mind.
Swinton and Harris. Oh, what a waste.
He does drama and especially comedy so freakin' well. It was ashamed to see his role diminished by such weak direction. This film was tooooo long.
I really like Chris Evans, though. He seems so invigorating in his roles such as in "Sunshine" the space epic.
When you look at this picture as a whole you see it was close to low-budget. This was a total sound stage production with a toy train for exteriors. It is part and parcel of the new trend to develop intense drama in a closed space (cheap). Look how many of these films of people trapped in elevators and such have floated around in recent years. I think this film is an exploration of that genre.
problem with Evans.
I didn't think it dragged; I kept wondering how the director was going to make the progression through the cars interesting--- and really surprised he did.
I thought Harris' role was great and that he (not one of my favorite actors because of a tendency to be TOO intense) projected the powerful personality and vision that kind of leader would have to.
It may sound corny, but the "message" of the film resonated with me, too; I couldn't help but share the anger of the masses at the blithe, uncaring, and vacuous lifestyle of the "forward car" folks.
Bong doesn't just make films, he makes thought vehicles. All of his films have "messages," though this one, being a clear allegory, is less hidden.
The budget, btw, was 40 million, a massive outlay for a Korean flick.
The trailer is VERY enticing:
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" - Michael McClure
--------------------------
"E burres stigano"
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