My Review on Netflix: Train to Busan (2016)

I am not sure when this South Korean gem of a film was released on Netflix, but I will say that it is worth a watch! "Train to Busan" (2016), starring Yoo Gong and Su-an Kim is quite a ride! In an industry that is overly saturated with bad horror films and in particular Zombie films, this one stands out! So much so, I had to write a review about it!

Train to Busan starts off with recently separated workaholic Seok-woo, a funds manager that handles major corporate deals and large accounts, but neglects family life. The character Seok-woo is a plausible depiction of many who may put career before family. Believe it or not, that theme plays heavy in a Zombie film. This film displays the importance of the little gestures in life, for example coming home to family and giving your child a hug! This especially becomes significant when being chased down by 100 very athletic flesh eating zombies.

Soo-an is the daughter of Seok-woo. Soo-an lives with her Dad and paternal grandmother, but really wants to see her mom in Busan. The request is made many times by Soo-an, however Seok-woo keeps putting it off. He finally decides to listen and takes her to see her Mom on the day of a massive viral outbreak. To get to Busan from their current location they must go by train. This is where the film gets interesting, because they become trapped with multiple passengers and Zombies on the train to Busan.

Soo-an, Train to Busan (2016)

So what makes this stand out from all of the other 2.5 million zombie films ever made...? The child's perspective on how her world is falling apart, personally and publicly. In the midst of all the chaos in the film is a little girl who wishes her parents were together again. She wants to be more helpful to others and selfless unlike her father initially in the story. When she witnesses the world in turmoil she forgets about her problems at the moment and focuses on the needs of others.

What also stands out about this film is the main protagonist's lesson on sacrifice and time lost. The film teaches Seok-woo that time lost can never be regained. One can never know what situations may occurred to hinder them from righting their wrongs.

Lets face it, in the Zombie world, good cinema is hard to come by. I would not even tell you about this one if it was not worth your time. Forget about the subtitles, enjoy the intense struggle to survive and lessons learned about family and time lost. I'd put this one up against 28 Days Later (2002) and World War Z (2013) any day!

AV3 out...