You Should Get Your Tickets for Train to Busan: A Film Review

*full disclosure: an online screener of this film was provided by Well Go USA.

Director/writer: Sang-ho Yeon.

Cast: Yoo Gong, Dong-seok Ma, Woo-sik Choi, Yu-mi Jeong and Sohee.

Train to Busan is a film from South Korea and director Sang-ho Yeon. The film offers a fresh look at the zombie apocalypse. This time, events take place on a train, which is heading from Seoul to Busan. Along the way, several passengers will fight for their lives. Meanwhile, bitey zombies find unique ways to harass the living. But, there is more than just a physical fight, going on here. There is a moral fight, as well. The protagonist, a busy father, is pro-social, while a cowardly businessman is everything you do not want in a friend, acquaintance, family member etc. There can be only one winner. And, Train to Busan is an exciting, insightful journey through a zombie pandemic.

There are a couple of subplots in the film. Though, this title is essentially a train ride through the apocalypse. A high school baseball team is on board the train. A young player and a cheerleader fall in love. But, zombies are also fighting for Jin-hee's (Sohee) attention. As well, Seok Woo (Yoo Gong) is trying to bond with his distant daughter. But, their relationship is on the rocks, much like the train on the rails. Amongst these subplots, a chemical leak is turning much of Korea into the world's worst tourist trap. Few will make it to their destination.

Should they have called this Zombies on a Train?

While long at two hours, there are a number of imaginative scenarios within the film. In one sidebar, zombies fall from a chopper, which is struggling to stay aloft. The zombies hit the pavement running as they continue their search for more victims. This scenario made at least one viewer smile. The zeds have a few weaknesses. If they cannot see the uninfected, they will not attack. So, a darkened tunnel offers some of the characters refuge or a way to evade or outmaneuver the zombies. In another scene, Seok uses a luggage stowage compartment to sneak by the blind infected. A number of other scenarios create excitement and tension as this train sputters to Busan.

A theme begins to emerge within Train to Busan. Writer Sang-ho Yeon promotes pro-social behaviour, through his characters. The father is confronted by his selfishness, by his daughter, Soo-an. Soo-an says to her father about his selfish actions: "that's why mommy left." She reminds her father of the need to help others. Seok's character arc involves more and more pro-social action. By the end of the film, Seok is saving pregnant women and other passengers. On the other side of the fence, an older businessman shows his true, yellow colours throughout the film. Initially, he does his best to leave others behind, at an overrun train station. Later, he lies about the status of others and whether they are infected, or not. This character is reprehensible in so many ways and his continuous survival will fray one's nerves, over time. And, the film will make viewers question: how would you act, in an emergency or similarly dire situation?

Train to Busan is set to stop at several theatrical stations, this month. Beginning on July 29th, this title will see a few theatres and zombie fans should shuffle to their local movieplex, if it is playing there. This is a Well Go USA release and it is an entertaining one. The film is full of moral dilemmas. And, the characters are separated by what is morally good (generousity) versus morally bad (deceitfulness). The zombies also act unpredictably as most of Korea burns to the ground. While a bit long, Train to Busan is an exciting trip through director Yeon's imaginative and somewhat sombre zombie apocalypse.

Overall: 7.5 out of 10.

A trailer for the film is available here: Trailer #2 for Train to Busan

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Posted in: 2016,action,asia,asian,morality,movie,movie review,review,zombie,zombie apocalypse,zombies