Train to Busan

(Yeon Sang-Ho/2016/South Korea)

Using the classic zombie horror template of a handful of characters and a truck load of zombies in a confined space Train to Busan really excels at then pulling the strings within that template. But whilst working to a formula Yeon Sang-Ho manages to invest his characters with proper depth and feeling and keep the action and intensity ramped up. The story is peppered with obvious critiques of modern times like distinctions of class, corporate greed, use of technology and the damage of an uneven family-work life balance but these are cinematic nods rather than an overriding theme. There’s no direct implication that the zombies are a metaphor for the intrusions of modern life upon our sensibilities but if you want to run with it go ahead. No, this is first and foremost an action movie and the zombies are the speedy World War Z/28 Days Later variety so the action is at full throttle. The immediate comparison that comes to mind is of course Bong Joon-ho’s Snowpiercer which also had passengers, stratified by class, fighting their way from carriage to carriage on a train. But Train to Busan doesn’t fall into any traps of imitation for me; it’s surprisingly less claustrophobic in style for one thing. Also there is sufficient plot time spent off the train and character development that it distinguishes itself as a film with different motivations altogether. It’s a really good take on an old formula and tugs at the heart strings without being too pretentious.

(3/5)