RensDad666’s review published on Letterboxd:
Counting down to rewatch Train to Busan for the first time since it debuted nearly 10 years ago has proven to be a serious exercise in restraint over the course of my first Hooptober. Yeon Sang-ho’s frenetic, apocalyptic survival tale isn’t a zombie film following the conventional genre trappings of over the top, effects driven gore, and decaying body-horror imagery. But, it’s one that drops an anvil in the form of emotional weight, and social commentary that hits harder in that aspect than nearly any of its contemporaries.
Within Train to Busan, there is a level of character and relationship building accomplished in a two hour zombie flick that is more gripping than any blockbuster thriller or big budget horror I’ve experienced in the past 10+ years. I “scare” because I care, and many times for me, the emotional weight of a well executed plot can be ten times as horrifying as any jump scare or gruesome kill can be. Ugly crying at midnight on a Sunday over zombie infection isn’t my normal wiring, but dammit, Korean drama never fails to tug on my heaviest of heartstrings.
When it comes to horror, I’m a practical effects fan first and foremost, and the only thing keeping me from a full 5 star rating lies in that department. The use of CG is necessary in these “hyperspeed horde of undead” movies, but does seem a little out of place given its grounded approach to plot development. It’s easy enough to get past as well though. I just found out there was both a prequel and sequel out there, and I might have to visit those as well after being reminded what a masterpiece Train to Busan is.
🧟🧟♀️🚆🚄🛤️🩸
