Train to Busan

Train to Busan is an incredible surprise for me and a demonstration that the zombie genre should never be underestimated because there are always authors capable of handling the material in a way that keeps you entertained. Sang-ho Yeon proved it and with Seoul Station, he showed that there are still possibilities for the zombie genre. Moreover, it even dares to throw in some nods to classics, like in the finale when the soldier aims at the last survivors. (2017-02-04)

I wasn’t very far to let myself get carried away to the highest rating. Train to Busan has everything a quality zombie survival flick should boast, and thanks to the inventive direction full of unorthodox ideas and a script that manages to treat even the through-and-through good guys in a completely uncompromising and surprising way, it has something extra at times. If it had been made in Hollywood by a filmmaker like Antoine Fuqua, it would have been a massive box office hit. In the closing twenty minutes I could barely breath. 85% (2017-08-04)

In terms of craftsmanship, Train to Busan is excellent, with interesting plot twists in the ingenious opening scene and a pleasantly prolonged ending intended to give viewers as much of the train as possible. Only the middle third is rather laid-back (the zombies are suddenly slower and can be beaten with fists because we can’t resolve the situation otherwise in the screenplay). And those Asian emotions again go over my head. The characters are archetypally okay and all of the relationships and their tense moments work, except for the main one. When, in the most dramatic and would-be heart-rending scene, the father flashbacks to the kitschily over-lit birth of his daughter, with whom he has been on the train ride to Busan through the whole film, it was the only time the movie made me laugh out loud. Which was surely not the intended result. (2020-04-13)

I was quite skeptical, not believing that the Koreans could create a decent zombie film, let alone one of a higher level. I was completely wrong. Along with Dawn of the Dead and World War Z, it now belongs in the TOP 3 apocalyptic zombie films. The unknown faces, certain innovations, and the sheer determination of these undead give the film its edge. Among the performances, I especially liked the man with the pregnant wife (Dong-seok Ma). His natural fighting skills, where he would simply punch and beat the infected (now more like creatures), were impressive. His storyline overshadowed all others, and no one, not even the main hero, could catch up with him. The idea of a train full of zombies was certainly unique, and I enjoyed the scenes in the tunnels where these creatures lost their orientation after a fresh and plentiful human meal. The filmmakers decided to cut down the heroes one by one, trimming the initially large cast down to an absolute minimum. There are emotional moments as well, which Koreans excel at. For the budget, the visual quality is also quite good. The ending is a bit predictable but bearable. A well-made product. I give it 82%. EDIT: After a second viewing on September 20, 2020, I have to lower my rating by a few percent. The overacting of some characters, especially towards the end, became quite obvious and distracting. I give it 78%. (2018-07-09)

Maybe zombies aren't so boring after all? It's definitely a win here for me that the filmmakers focused purely on action, with a dash of emotion of course, it wouldn't have worked without it. No complicated rules, no hero trying to save the world, no vaccines. Just a train going to Busan and a few passengers on it. The rest is simple.... Don't get bitten and survive. A strong 4 stars. (2016-12-13)