Film Friday: Train to Busan
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| source/imdb |
First, let's take a look at the trailer:
A (South) Korean horror film about zombies. That is mostly what you need to know about Train to Busan.
The first ten minutes or so are "slow" in that they work at developing character and showing motivation. It doesn't take long for the action to start, and once it does, there are few moments where the characters - and therefore the audience - are left to catch their breath, and most of those are filled with quiet suspense or even dread - because you know it's not over, you know everything will NOT be okay. It's done to good effect, demonstrating that our characters are not getting a break. (You know how some movies have so much action because the plot is thinner than 1-ply and the characters are worse than fiberboard? This is NOT that.) Of course, I won't go saying this movie delves deep into the human condition or who's-the-real-monster or anything like that. But you definitely can root for them, and care about why they are doing what they are doing.
I found it rather enjoyable, all around. Good action, truly terrifying zombies.
For those looking for deeper meaning or prefer more science to their zombie films, this won't be enjoyable. But for anyone who just enjoys the genre, it should satisfy.
The only real problem I had with Train to Busan is there is some hinting at a bit of a larger story, where the source and cause of the outbreak is implied, although there had really been nothing earlier in the film to indicate said source/cause. HOWEVER. That said, it is a Korean film, and it is entirely possible and in fact likely that the larger story part got lost in translation. Still, it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the movie overall.
B+
Heads Up: Violence (fricken duh), blood/gore, mild language.
