"Snowpiercer" tells a unique version of the typical dystopian future genre of sci-fi. An experiment to reverse global warming works too well, resulting in a new ice age that brings humanity to the brink of extinction. The survivors live aboard a massive train that travels the globe. The passengers live in a strict class system that sees the affluent living in comfort in the forward compartments and the poor living in squalor in the back. A revolution is brewing among the residents of the tail section, spurred by mysterious messages and their children being abducted by the authorities with no explanation.
The train is the brainchild of the enigmatic Wilford (Ed Harris). the train was built out of his obsession with locomotives and sports specialized compartments like a night club car, an aquarium car, and a butcher shop car. It sounds ridiculous, and some of it is, but it expressed earnestly. However, living aboard a train raises a few questions that the film fails to answer. How do they collect any resources if the train never stops and no one ever leaves? Where is the livestock coming from? How many people live on the train?
Other questions are answered quite well. The origins of Curtis (Chris Evans). What happened to Gilliam's (John Hurt) missing limbs? Why were the children taken? The answers to all of these questions are shocking and well presented. Unfortunately they do not come until almost the end of the film, leaving the audience confused and feeling like there's something missing in the story telling.
The cast is excellent. Led by Chris Evans' near perfect portrayal of the beleaguered Curtis, leader of the revolution. As he  progresses through the train, facing greater hurdles and losing friends with each car he moves through, you see the toll his journey is taking on him, leading to the inevitable emotional breakdown. Overall "Snowpiercer" is an enjoyable movie. It starts slowly but once the ball gets rolling it keeps your attention and engages you. It adds a level of humanity that is often lacking in sci-fi films.
