At a certain point in the very near future we’ll try to solve global warming and overdo it. Not Highlander 2 over do it, more north of the wall over do it. 2nd ice age and all that. A trillionare model train enthusiast saw this coming and (it should be noted that there is a world spanning train track at this point; no stops in China or India so it’s lightly plausible) maintains survivors and their offspring on a gigantic (really) perpetually moving train. If the train stops everyone will freeze. I guess. They can build a perpetually moving train but not a static heater and walls…
A pause here to note that I can’t think of any reason it has to be on a train other than various metaphors at play. I have no objection whatsoever to this, I just notice that some viewers’ suspension of disbelief works for indie flicks but is absent for Pacific Rim. Racists.
Anyway, people who bought a place on the train, and their offspring, are near the front of the train and it goes from 1st class near the front to charity near the back. The viewer isn’t aware of how the upper classes live as we begin the movie in the charity section. The poor get delivered bars of (just disgusting) shiny black protein at irregular interviews. It’s not a happy existence. The train authority also occasionally steals children from them. No reason is given. Chris Evans and others are plotting revolt. They study and observe the timing of the authority’s appearances and plot. They are also getting secret messages from somebody near the front of the train with helpful information.
On the appointed day, they go for it. They wedge the door of their compartment open and make the next one and wedge that too. Off and running. They want more…. Well they want to not be oppressed. Those in authority on the train… object. The ensuing fighting is pretty awesome.
Visually this movie is fairly amazing. In one scene light and its lack are utterly jaw dropping. Once things get going the intensity keeps increasing. You will be surprised. Plot wise there are some similarities to The Matrix (good ones, calm down). I really liked this movie and there really hasn’t been anything like it. I haven’t read the graphic novel on which it is based, but it’s in French so I probably never will. But great flick. Mandatory viewing.