Blu-ray cover of Snowpiercer: Season 1

Blu-ray Review – Snowpiercer: Season 1

With icy intrigue around every hairpin, and a cast that drives drama despite rushed events, Snowpiercer is an avalanche of action on tracks.

When one thinks of taut, expansive Sci-Fi thrillers and dystopian worlds, trains seldom come to mind. Arguably, the steel-wheeled beasts come to mind about as often as do planes and automobiles. And while TNT’s adaptation – and dare I say improvement to Bong’s 2013 film offering of the same name – indeed fuels the furnace of the Armageddon-acquitting savior known as Snowpiercer; still, the season one track it follows is occasionally fraught with illogical loops, tired class tropes and all-too-convenient subterfuge.

This isn’t to say that the cast is lacking, or the series isn’t worth your time… just that this train is hell-bent on getting viewers to a specific destination in a hurry and will cut whatever corners necessary to do so. That said, Snowpiercer is blessed with a wonderful cast, helmed by Connelly’s wonderfully enigmatic Melanie Cavill and held together by Daveed “Isn’t that the guy from Hamilton” Diggs’ emotionally powerful Layton. Corny one-liners aside, these two powerhouse performers make Snowpiercer’s arduous journey not only bewitching, but believable.

A strong supporting cast, boasting the talents of Alison Wright, who portrays dutiful-to-death hostess Ruth Wardell; Steven Ogg, who portrays back-stabbing bad-boy Pike; and Mike O’Malley, who portrays hesitant but eventually helpful Sam Roche, all serve to make the maiden voyage of Snowpiercer – mostly – a successful one.

The Season One extras are – though short – as enticing and entertaining as the silver-bullet special itself, with a 3+ minute overview of the series and its roots; a rushed 3+ minute brush against the Class Warfare topics that dominate most of the series; a small 2+ minute exchange between Connelly and Diggs and the interest each had in the series; a modest 5+ minute climb aboard Snowpiercer and the people, places and events that make her both beautiful and unstoppable; and a wonderful 4+ minute plunge Behind the Curtain and into the icy depths of Snowpiercer’s art department. I would add that the Episode Guide supplied in this Season One set was a welcome surprise and one that I hope will become a staple in Warner offerings moving forward.

So, with icy intrigue around every hairpin, and a cast that drives drama despite rushed events, Snowpiercer is an avalanche of action on tracks.

Studio Synopsis: Set more than seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland, “Snowpiercer” centers on the remnants of humanity who inhabit a perpetually moving train, with 1001 cars, that circles the globe. Class warfare, social injustice and the politics of survival play out in this riveting television adaptation.

Studio: Warner Bros.
Running Time: 459 minutes
Rating: TV-MA
Number of Disks: 2

Special Features:
– Overview
– Class Warfare
– Jennifer & Daveed – Behind The Scenes Interview
– The Train
– Behind the Curtain: Art of the Frozen World

Episodes:
First, The Weather Changed
Prepare to Brace
Access is Power
Without Their Maker
Justice Never Boarded
Trouble Comes Sideways
The Universe Is Different
These Are His Revolutions
The Train Demanded Blood
994 Cars Long

Additional Resources:
Central Cast: Jennifer Connelly | Daveed Diggs | Mickey Sumner | Alison Wright | Iddo Goldberg| Lena Hall | Mike O’Malley | Sheila Vand | Steven Ogg | Karin Konoval
Creators: Josh Friedman | Graeme Manson
Central Writers: Bong Joon Ho | Josh Friedman | Benjamin Legrand | Jacques Lob | Graeme Manson
Television Premiere: May 17, 2020
Blu-Ray/DVD Release: January 26, 2021
Genre: Action | Drama | Sci-Fi
Supporting Cast and more Writers found HERE

Overflowing with the kinds of uniquely useless film knowledge that would make any lighted aisle cinephile smile, Kyle has been an entertainment reviewer for several print and online publications for the past 16 years. And whether he's letting you know that new action film isn't worth a nipple on a batsuit, or that animated sprite is worth every bit of its hype, Kyle always boils down the banter and puts the "attraction" in coming attractions.

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