Snowpiercer is a film that has gotten almost universally positive reviews (here's an example) but pretty much fails on every level for me. It's also tremendously odd and constantly veers between trying to be a super-intense action film and a cartoony satire. While there are elements that almost work (particularly on the satire side), the constant whipping back and forth in tone ended up ruining the whole thing. The 'serious' dialog is cringingly bad, and the acting is all over place - particularly in the more 'emotional' and 'intense' scenes. Given how farcical some of the satire is I almost suspected this might have been some big meta-commentary as well, but the last scene indicates that the filmmaker's intent was all too serious.
Obviously I'm in the minority here, but the whole thing is just a fiasco. Cabin in the woods did the mix of action and satire much more effectively. All that said, it is a really weird film, and its sort of amazing that it even got made. As a result I can't completely dismiss it but I can't see ever watching it again. (Though if you see it don't even start thinking about the plot, no part of it really makes sense).
22 Jump Street on the other hand is pretty much what I expected. Overly long, not all the jokes hit, but it works way better than it has any right to. The chemistry between Hill and Tatum is still fun, and the film definitely does not take itself too seriously. I don't need to see any more installments (and thankfully the film seems to agree), but the filmmakers deserve a lot of credit for getting two pretty entertaining films out of a really thin premise.
Obviously I'm in the minority here, but the whole thing is just a fiasco. Cabin in the woods did the mix of action and satire much more effectively. All that said, it is a really weird film, and its sort of amazing that it even got made. As a result I can't completely dismiss it but I can't see ever watching it again. (Though if you see it don't even start thinking about the plot, no part of it really makes sense).
22 Jump Street on the other hand is pretty much what I expected. Overly long, not all the jokes hit, but it works way better than it has any right to. The chemistry between Hill and Tatum is still fun, and the film definitely does not take itself too seriously. I don't need to see any more installments (and thankfully the film seems to agree), but the filmmakers deserve a lot of credit for getting two pretty entertaining films out of a really thin premise.
