The movie is set in a somewhat unusual environment (geographically speaking), which, in my opinion, is nice. In the movie you'll see several clichés typical for a thriller, with being able to predict most stuff in the film along the way. As said, the movie doesn't have much new really, but the fact that it's set (mostly) on a train in the middle of nowhere managed to give me the feeling that this was something new, and exciting.
Also typical for these kind of movies was the stereotypical view upon Russians, and foreign (non-american) people overall. The two polite and innocent Americans can't even ask the train staff why the toilet isn't functioning without getting shouted at in Russian. On top of this the police are told to be brutal and corrupt. But then this contributes to the feeling one gets while watching the movie, that the two Americans feels lost and insecure, and that they are in the hands of careless strangers who they can't even communicate with. I just wish they would have done this in some other way, without having to rely on silly stereotypes.
Even though the end was quite predictable, I liked it, along with the rest of the movie. Overall this movie is worth the time spent seeing it, and more.
Also typical for these kind of movies was the stereotypical view upon Russians, and foreign (non-american) people overall. The two polite and innocent Americans can't even ask the train staff why the toilet isn't functioning without getting shouted at in Russian. On top of this the police are told to be brutal and corrupt. But then this contributes to the feeling one gets while watching the movie, that the two Americans feels lost and insecure, and that they are in the hands of careless strangers who they can't even communicate with. I just wish they would have done this in some other way, without having to rely on silly stereotypes.
Even though the end was quite predictable, I liked it, along with the rest of the movie. Overall this movie is worth the time spent seeing it, and more.