Katarzyna Petru
Amazon Prime Video is once again attacking with a title that cannot be overlooked. Viewers of the service can now watch "Snowpiercer: Ark of the Future", a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller that not only inspired a four-season series but also showed that genre cinema can still surprise. And by the way – this work is from the guy who later won an Oscar for "Parasite." We're of course talking about Bong Joon-ho.
Bong Joon-ho and sci-fi on steroids
“Snowpiercer” is an adaptation of the French comic “Le Transperceneige” and also one of those films that, despite a limited budget, looks like a production worth hundreds of millions. Bong Joon-ho utilized advanced CGI technology and practical special effects, which – combined with brutally stark set design – create a claustrophobic yet incredibly realistic universe. The film was largely shot in a studio using modular train sets, giving the creators full control over camera and lighting. Additionally, contemporary for those years color grading systems were used, which emphasized the contrast between social classes.
Chris Evans, action, and social tensions
On screen appears Chris Evans, who drops the Captain America shield and takes on the role of the leader of a revolution trapped in the last cars of a gigantic train traveling across a frozen Earth. The film doesn’t take shortcuts – it’s a mix of action cinema, social drama, and dystopian sci-fi, raising more questions than it answers. And it is this atmosphere that led to the series in 2020, which expanded this story over four seasons.
If you haven't seen “Snowpiercer” yet, Prime now gives you the perfect excuse. It’s a great time to catch up on a film that has 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 at the absolute top at that time.
The Future Cinema on a Train without Brakes
“Snowpiercer: Ark of the Future” is a film that, after years, not only hasn’t aged but has gained value – also thanks to the development of streaming technology in high definition. Prime Video serves it in excellent quality, with HDR and surround sound, so it's worth reaching for good headphones or playing it on a larger screen. Because it’s not just a story – it’s a visual thrill ride.
