Katarzyna Petru
Amazon Prime Video is once again hitting us with a title that you can't just pass by. Viewers of the service can now watch “Snowpiercer: The Ark of the Future”, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller that not only inspired a four-season series but also demonstrated that genre cinema can still surprise. And by the way – it's the work of the guy who later snagged an Oscar for “Parasite.” We're talking about Bong Joon-ho.
Bong Joon-ho and sci-fi on steroids
“Snowpiercer” is an adaptation of the French comic “Le Transperceneige” and one of those films that, despite a limited budget, looks like a production worth hundreds of millions. Bong Joon-ho utilised advanced CGI technology and practical special effects, which – combined with the brutally raw scenery – create a claustrophobic but incredibly realistic universe. The film was largely shot in a studio using modular train sets, which gave the creators full control over the camera and lighting. Additionally, modern for its time colour grading systems were employed, highlighting the contrast between social classes.
Chris Evans, action and social tensions
On screen appears Chris Evans, who sheds Captain America's shield and takes on the role of a leader of a revolution confined to the last carriages of a giant train traversing a frozen Earth. The film does not take shortcuts – it’s a mix of action cinema, social drama and dystopian sci-fi that poses more questions than it answers. And it’s this atmosphere that led to the creation of a series in 2020, which expanded this story over four seasons.
If you haven’t seen “Snowpiercer” yet, then Prime gives you the perfect excuse now. It’s a great time to catch up on a film that not only received 94% positive reviews from critics but also earned a solid 72% from audiences. The production still looks fresh after all these years – and that’s thanks in part to the technology that was absolutely cutting-edge at the time.
Future cinema on a runaway train
“Snowpiercer: Ark of the Future” is a film that, after years, has not only not aged, but has gained value – also thanks to the development of high-definition streaming technology. Prime Video serves it up in great quality, with HDR and surround sound, so it's worth grabbing some good headphones or firing it up on a larger screen. Because it's not just a story – it's a visual ride without brakes.
