- Actors: Gong Yoo, Jeong Yu-mi, Choi Woo-sik
- Director: Yeon Sang-Ho
- Film Format: Dolby, NTSC, THX, Widescreen
- Number of discs: 1
- Studio: Well Go USA
- Release Date: January 17, 2017
- Run Time: 118 minutes
There is nothing
particularly groundbreaking or innovative about Train to Busan, though this is primarily due to over-saturation of
zombie narratives in film and television. And yet, despite the content being
fairly derivative, Train to Busan
manages to stand above many zombie films that have come before merely by
keeping the narrative focused with a simple premise and a consistent thematic
through line. The use of zombies as monsters may seem blasé, but the message
developed through the behavior of the humans in the face of tragedy has sharp
relevance in modern society.
The plot simply
involves a father protecting his daughter from the dangers of a zombie attack
while on a train to visit her mother in Busan. This simple story is layered
through the nuances of the narrative, coming through in this protagonist’s
transformation to a caring human being while much of society is transforming
into monsters. And not all of these monsters are zombies; some of the most
horrific actions in the film are carried out by self-serving humans in the face
of peril.
Interestingly enough, despite this
being a modern horror film rather than a dystopian science-fiction actioner,
there are many similarities between Train
to Busan and Joon-ho Bong’s Snowpiercer.
Both involve the protagonists fighting against presumptions about class and the
self-serving behavior of those at the top, regardless of how it affects others
less fortunate. And even simpler, both films have the protagonists battling to
make their way towards the presumed safety of the front of a train, which on a
perilous journey towards an uncertain future.
Our protagonist in Train to Busan is Seok Woo (Yoo Gong), a
workaholic fund manager whose job is in danger of taking precedence over the
raising of his daughter, Soo-an (Soo-an Kim). After accidentally giving her the
same present for her birthday as he had given her the previous year, Seok
agrees to take Soo-an to visit her mother in Busan. When a sudden national
disaster occurs, spreading a zombie virus throughout much of the country, the
passengers of the train all have different reactions. Seok’s immediate response
is to save his daughter, regardless of who he must step over along the way, but
an encounter with a few selfless passengers and his own daughter’s instinct
towards compassion changes his perspective.
There is significant thematic application
in the film’s narrative, tying the zombie outbreak to the recent MERS virus
scare in South Korea,
while also making a statement about class division and government distrust
which has relevance in nearly any modern society. The zombies cannot
necessarily be blamed for their actions, as they are victims of the disease
which has infected them, whereas the corporation responsible for the outbreak
and a coldhearted reaction from the government is far more ruthless. This,
however, is nothing compared to the selfish actions of a few vile individuals
determined to survive at any cost. By the end of the film, Seok must learn to
counter this behavior; not only to protect Soo-an, but so that society itself
can survive.
Train to Busan
is filmmaker Sang-ho Yeon’s first live-action feature, best known for his
animated films. Among these is Seoul
Station, an animated companion piece to this film, which focuses on the
zombie outbreak in a downtown train station. Although it is likely too much to
ask for Seoul Station to be included
in the extras, the two behind-the-scenes featurettes are a lackluster
replacement. “Behind the Scenes” is just under 15-minutes of footage from the
shoot, including some great set pieces and a few dramatic accidents on set,
whereas “That’s a Wrap” is just a few more minutes of behind-the-scenes footage
from the end of the shoot. This footage likely could have been combined to make
one extra, but likely was split up to pad the extras, which otherwise only
includes the theatrical trailer. There is also an optional English-language
dubbing, though I will always choose original language with subtitles when
given the option.
Entertainment Value:
8.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7.5/10
Historical
Significance: 7/10
Special Features: 5/10
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