SOUTH Korean movies that rake in big bucks at the box office are mainly crime thrillers and historical dramas. Perhaps that’s why disaster flick Train To Busan is such a blockbuster.
It’s a movie about a zombie apocalypse, a genre the South Korean film industry hasn’t commercially conquered.
As a zombie virus spreads across South Korea, the passengers of a train from Seoul to Busan struggle to survive. Located 453km from Seoul, Busan is a city that has successfully fended off the viral outbreak, so the express train is the only way to safety. Or is it?
The zombies in this film are not the slow-moving Walking Dead type. They’re aggressive, rabid and crazy, charging head-on, a la 29 Days Later or Rec. In a way, it’s scarier — these zombies look convincing as the walking dead.
They make for formidable villains and the danger is amplified as there are just too many of them to tackle. There is a scene in which some survivors are escaping the zombies by jumping on to a moving train. In an instant a large horde of zombies swarm the train. The scene, shot from a bird’s eye view, is incredible.
The zombie scenes are nerve-wracking and full of suspense. Expect to see quite a bit of blood and gore. You will also find yourself rooting for the main characters as back stories are introduced.
The film centres on Seokwoo (Gong Yoo), a single father and fund manager who’s too busy for his daughter Sooan (Kim Sooan). At her request, he accompanies her on the train ride to Busan where his ex-wife resides.
Sanghwa (Ma Dongseok) and Sungkyung (Jung Yumi) are parents-to-be and they haven’t come up with a name for their baby.
Youngguk (Choi Wooshik) and his girlfriend Jinhee (An Sohee) are the high school baseball team’s power hitter and cheerleader, respectively.
Cold and selfish corporate executive Yongsuk (Kim Euiseong) is a character you’d love to hate, the kind who will sacrifice others for his own safety.
The crisis tests these personalities, their flaws and strengths. The film also opens our eyes and makes us wonder what we’d do if we were stuck in this situation.
Are we selfish or selfless? There are many of the former in this film and they prove that they are just as vile as the zombies in this harrowing tale.
Korean film directors play with viewers’ emotions by exploiting that element till it becomes one that is just as vital as the films’ main genre.
Train To Busan may be a zombie movie but it also touches on relationships and the current state of humanity, making it not just action-packed but poignant as well.
The integral part of the film examines the relationships between friends, family and couples.
The action-drama elements are well-balanced, giving substance to the storyline. The cast deliver superbly and viewers will be able to feel the characters’ panic, anguish and pain as they struggle to get through this catastrophe.
Ultimately, Train To Busan is a must-watch, possessing all the criteria of a perfect popcorn movie.
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TRAIN TO BUSAN
Directed: by Yeon Sang-ho
Starring: Gong Yoo, Jung Yumi, Ma Dongseok, Choi Woosik, An Sohee, Kim Euisung, Kim Suan
Duration: 118 minutes
Rating: 18