It’s extremely difficult to come up with a highly absorbing and exciting zombie movie focusing on the same old visuals of people turning into zombies, the ugly faces, the mass attacks and the scary rescues already seen in many earlier films. But surprisingly TRAIN TO BUSAN successfully moves over all those repetitions or clichéd moments through its superfine execution and you get to experience a thoroughly engaging cursed train ride as it begins post the film’s initial 15 minutes of introductions.
Yes it’s a Korean film with all unfamiliar faces and language for an Indian viewer. But that never becomes a limitation in its two hours of duration due to many superbly directed sequences, well written characterizations and a fabulous climax. Putting it differently, you don’t need to know their onscreen names and don’t need to understand the language too. Plus even if one doesn’t read the English subtitles, he still can easily feel the exact emotions expressed by the characters on board, which remains the most appreciable feature of this incredible ride fighting with the walking ghosts. Full of many involving and winning sequences TRAIN TO BUSAN displays a wide range of emotions and you seldom get to see such impressive writing in a horror film revolving around the infected zombies.
In an elevating second hour, along with its skillfully depicted emotional highs the film also focuses on social class divide featuring a rich man, the changing human behaviour in the life-threatening decisive moments and then the compassion felt for the other by the noble souls too in a heart wrenching finale. Particularly its beautifully shot and conceived climax (working with shadows) adds a lot to the film’s overall value and impact enhanced with an energetic background score and all powerful performances taking it to another level.
Mentioning its only shortcoming, the director completely overlooks the women power in the proceedings and the entire struggle, fights and brave moves against the zombies are solely made by the men. Still a highly recommended pleasant surprise of the year by all means, TRAIN TO BUSAN will surely make you recall our own (inspired) THE BURNING TRAIN too, especially while watching its few emotions sequences revolving around the loving relationships.
So do watch it as a must, as its much above the level of a routine zombie movie offering you a great time.
Rating : 4 / 5
Directed By: Yeon Sang-ho
Starcast: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-Mi, Ma Dong-Seok, Kim Su-An, Kim Eui-Sung and more.
Note: Its good to see a Korean film being released in India dubbed in English, Hindi and other regional languages, giving us an opportunity to experience the original films instead of their poor Indian copies or officially inspired versions. Hope the initiative continues in the future too.
Cheers!
Tags :
Train to Busan Review by Bobby Sing, Train To Busan (Korean) Film Review by Bobby Sing, Korean Films Official Release in India, Korean films dubbed in English Hindi and more regional Indian language, New World Cinema Films reviews at bobbytalkscinema.com
