Train to Busan

One of my favorite things about World War Z (the book, not the movie - though I enjoyed the movie for the most part too) was how it approached the zombie apocalypse. 

Instead of one, cohesive story with grand heroes trying to find a cure or nuke a city, it was comprised of a bunch of little - highly memorable - stories of when the outbreak first happened and how different walks of life dealt with it. For starters, I suppose a zombie apocalypse - quarantines and all - puts into perspective how "lucky" we are (I guess?) that coronavirus is only flu-like symptoms for most, but I digress. 

Train to Busan is a lot like one of those smaller stories that the World War Z novel focuses on. Here we're at the start of the outbreak and mostly contained to a group of people on a normal, passenger train. In one of life's most mundane moments - commuting - the outbreak hits and strangers are forced to react and try to survive without warning. 

This film has been in my Netflix queue for God knows how long, probably over a year now. I always wanted to watch it, but the promise of a sequel + a bunch of extra time on one's hands makes it easier to dive into the 2ish hour film. It's a Korean film that's incredibly well made for a zombie movie and reflects some of the best parts of this genre that has very high highs (think Walking Dead before it didn't have a damn clue where it was going) and very low lows (any bad, generic zombie videogame). Train to Busan definitely stands firmly within the former category as a zombie flick that is contained, human-based, and thoughtful while also being exciting. 

Train to Busan does a wonderful job at establishing a cast of characters that we can immediately connect to. I'll openly admit that I don't remember their names but you more so attach to each of their personas. There's the sweet daughter, just trying to see her mom...her selfish father who learns that work doesn't really count for anything when the world goes to s**t...the pregnant wife and loving, bulky AF husband who's a beast...the greedy businessman who will do anything to survive...the list goes on and on. I never felt that it was too many in this cast because the "core" group becomes so readily apparent almost immediately, but there are a handful that steal some limelight for what seems like no reason (a pair of grandmas comes to mind). Regardless, this film centers around the father, Seok-woo, and his daughter, Soo-an, and their bond growing, somewhat for the first time. It's touching, though I do feel like a much better original score could have made it more emotional. That said, I recognize the original score as much more Korean than what usually gets me emotional (different types of instruments, more uplifting vs. "epic", etc.) so I imagine for many it worked. 

Dude's YOKED!

"OMG how will I put this on TikTok?"

Other components zombie movies must have are excitement, peril, and intensity. Train to Busan has loads of these and it is well balanced throughout. The film is definitely too long and it loses some steam between location/scene transitions, but nonetheless I found myself holding my breath on more than on occasion. Fighting through some train cars to rescue loved ones, climbing in the luggage racks to get past zombies, and being pinned beneath a train crash...all have moments of shock and the unknown of who will make it out alive or not. Even better is that these zombies are incredibly violent, fast, and angry. Not smart, obviously, but they pose a significant threat from the get go, even sacrificing their bodies to get to their next meal/victim. I do wish there was a larger amount of gore, however. That's part of the fun in zombie flicks/shows is bashing a head in or removing limbs. Here, when a baseball bat connects with the head of a zombie, there's not even blood splatter. It takes you out of the moment because your expectations not only aren't met, but the violence doesn't feel realistic in that regard. Perhaps it was a budget constraint, but it's an element I missed. 

I hope the sequel to Train to Busan is a lot like the novel World War Z too. A contained, unrelated story set in this same world of zombie outbreak, that expands on the lore and story of the outbreak itself, but remains smaller scale. It worked for this film and would allow even more future films to add while being wholly unique. 

CONS

• Probably about 10-20 minutes too long. Loses some steam here and there
• Lack of gore is underwhelming
• Some characters get screentime that doesn't seem necessary (see above bullet about being too long)
• I felt the original score could have been better

PROS

• Thoughtful human elements and a character-centered story with memorable people
• Small and contained and occurs right at the start of the outbreak
• Earned its ending
• Really well made in general. Editing, cinematography, visual effects, etc.
• Unique and innovative throughout in the predicaments the passengers get themselves in
• Definitely has intense moments and the hyper-violent zombies only increase the threat level

Retro Rath's Review Score | 8/10