The train to Busan

Rating: 7/10 (3 June 2019)

The Train to Busan is a thrilling horror unlike any I have seen before. Director Sang-ho Yeon puts his own spin on a large scale zombie outbreak, after a chemical lab releases a deadly virus. Unsuspecting passengers board a train that will cause them to see much more than the little girls mother. Innocent passengers must endure the seemingly never-ending train ride to Busan as they watch the cities of Korea fall around them, after a plant known for making mistakes releases the airborne virus. Although it as an apocalyptic style zombie fight-for-survival type movie, I wouldn't put it in the same category as some of the other prominent titles in the genre such as I Am Legend, or even World War Z.
Sang-ho Yeon added a new twist and stayed away from the typical 'tough guy gunning down zombies to save the world' approach of many similar movies, and focused on capturing the chaos happening during an apocalypse in the dense modern urban setting of South Korea. The characters consistently keep the audience on the edge of their seat because of the deeper emotional connection we are able to establish at the beginning by being able to relate to them. Because the language utilized in this movie is Korean it allowed me to focus more on character's emotions and facial expressions; this, however, does not take away from the film in my opinion. One of the key strengths of this film is the breathtaking camera work and shot choice, that helps engage the audience on a new level as we are immersed into their world. A large range of film techniques are used in this film and the utilization of subjective point of view shots greatly add to the already immersive film. South Korea being the setting of the film gives the audience an inquisitive urge to keep watching as each turn and bend is foreign to us. The director's definitive choice of setting for each shot aids the suspense and "on your toes" feeling for the duration of the movie. Unlike many of the other apocalyptic movies many of us have seen, the acting in this film is absolutely phenomenal. Going into this movie I had very low expectations for quality of acting, especially since I did not recognize any of the cast from previous movies. Each actor elegantly played their roles and spared no emotion. This blew me away as most other movies I've seen like this have focused on making a few characters look badass as they power their way through crowds of zombies, but this movie was different. Each character felt real and as the audience we really connect with them, feeling like we would have made the same choices.
A combination of intricate detailed set pieces, carefully chosen shots, and remarkable acting took this seemingly average zombie apocalyptic movie, to an invigorating emotionally engaging thriller that contracted my attention throughout. Not once did I feel like checking my phone or going to the bathroom, as this movie had me completely immersed from the opening scene to the the final credits.