Tag: sci fi

Snowpiercer Film Review

Directed by Bong Joon Ho

Starring: Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Ed Harris

Rated R for violence, language and drug content

Snowpiercer is a sci-fi film directed by Bong Joon Ho. In 2014, in an attempt to stop climate change, a chemical is released that backfires. Now in 2031, the entire world is frozen and humanity is living on an everlasting moving train. In this train, the rich people live in the front of the train while the poor ones live on the back of the train in horrible conditions. Curtis (played by Chris Evans) is now leading a revolution with the help of the other passengers in that section of the train and plan to overtake the train.

The story of Snowpiercer is quite a creative one. Based on the graphic novel Le Transperceneige by Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette, the screenplay was written by Bong Joon Ho and Kelly Masterson. This is a creative story of how humanity now has to survive on a fast speeding train that never stops. The story is certainly filled with thrills and surprises for the audience. This screenplay also explores the idea of class divisions and how the poor have little to no opportunity to move up the financial ladder. This not only applies to the train the film and humanity in real life. This is a theme Bong Joon Ho would brilliantly later explore in his film, Parasite.

Chris Evans is of course excellent as the role of Curtis. Curtis is a man who has lived in the poor section of the train for 18 years. He is exhausted of living in poor condition. He leads a revolution to get the people he cares about to the front of the train and control it. He is joined by Tanya (played by Octavia Spencer) and Edgar (played by Jamie Bell) in an attempt to control the train. These characters interact with Minister Mason (played by Tilda Swinton), one of the high ranking officials on the train. Swinton certainly has fun with the character as she goes all out with the role. The only downside is that she is only in the first half of the film and doesn’t appear too much. I would have loved to see more of this character.

While this is an intriguing film, there is one downside to the film and it is a minor one. The CGI is not up to par to what it should be. Now I understand that visual effects are not the most important aspect in a character driven story. But this is a story that takes place in a future where the world is literally frozen. Sometimes seeing the outside world can take me out of the film because how it looks. But I said, it is a minor gripe and certainly does not drag the film down. But if there were a downside to the film, this would be it.

Overall, Snowpiercer is a creative story that is exciting and interesting. This all star cast from Chris Evans to Tilda Swinton and from Octavia Spencer and Song Kang-ho are on their A game in this Bong Joon Ho directed film. It goes without saying that Bong Joon Ho is a ingenious director and Snowpiercer proves this.

3.5/4

Ad Astra Film Review

Directed by James Gray

Starring: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga

Rated PG-13 for some violence and bloody images, and for brief strong language

“2001: A Space Odyssey” meets “Apocalypse Now”. In the near future, humans are still set to find intelligent life outside the Solar System. They have colonized Mars and the Moon are set to move forward. But when a surge hits the Earth and threatens our planet, Major Roy McBride (played by Brad Pitt) is set to the edge of the Solar System to find his father, Clifford McBride (played by Tommy Lee Jones), who is the key to the survival of Earth.

“Ad Astra” is a beautiful movie to the eyes. The visual effects are extremely well done and it has to be as the majority of the film takes place in space. There were numerous shots of beauty being shown on the screen. From the outer atmosphere of Earth to the rings of Neptune, the visuals shine in a way I have not seen on film. In addition to the visuals, the cinematography is also a standout. Hoyte van Hoytema does the camera work here and it is beautifully shot. So many shots are reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey from the colors to the futuristic technology. Finally, the sounds of the film were so different than the rest of sci-fi films. The opening scene of the film features an explosion, which sounds so different. The typical sci fi film has the same explosion sound effects that we are so used to. Not only the visuals, but the sounds of the film elevate the film to realism.

Brad Pitt has a very limited role but does an exceptional job with the role he has. The acting is not done by the words he says, but the emotions in his face. In particular, the scene where Pitt’s character, Roy McBride, has to convey a message to his father. The emotions and tear that run on McBride’s face says it all. It shows sadness, along with a longing for the past. Along with Pitt, the supporting cast of Donald Sutherland, Ruth Negga, and Tommy Lee Jones shine with the limited role their have. Unfortuantely they are only shown on screen for about ten to fifteen minutes each and don’t share enough screen time. It is understandable that McBride is the main character, but I would love to seen more of the supporting characters.

“Ad Astra” is a visual spectale that has to be seen on the big screen. The visual effects, along with the sound mixing, acting, and cinematography is what makes “Ad Astra” stand out from other sci fi films. As Oscar season quickly approaches, my hopes are that we see “Ad Astra” get a few technical nominations for the fantastic work behind the camera. This is a must see.

3.5/4