Train to Busan - A Cinephile Review

  Train to Busan also known as Busanhaeng ( Yeong Sang-Ho, July 2016 ) is a zombie apocalypse film which is about survival and sacrifice. The movie has been attached with elements of sentiments and melodramatic elements. This film may not be the first of it’s kind since World War Z, Pride and Prejudice Zombies and etc. but it is definitely considered one of the best of it’s kind. The essay is mainly to review the quality of the film, discuss the theory related, break down the synopsis and analysis other factors involved theoretically.

   Horror is a type of genre which is made to shock or disgust the audience with scary elements involved. For example, Demonic, ghost or supernatural. Horror can be categorized into a few sub sections. The most common ones being made is supernatural horror. Supernatural involves ghost and scary predators like “The Nun” from Conjuring or “the Clown” from IT. Besides that, Slasher horror is another which involves a lot of blood lost and blood splashing. For example, Friday the 13^th and Scream. Next is Unnatural which is in relation of the film being reviewed. It is called unnatural horror, involving fictional and imaginary characters like zombie invasion. Train to Busan is a unnatural horror and thriller film with suspense and adventure elements added. The violence involved with the zombies attacking civilians brutally is the example of why the film can be considered Unnatural horror. The sub genres involved are suspense and adventure. The film is considered suspense due to the intensity which would leave the audiences at the edge of their seats from the rising action of the film. Otherwise, the film can be considered adventurous due to the level of challenges and hurdles faced as the try to complete their journey, which is to survive their way to Busan.

   The films kicks off with introduction and background story of the main character Seok Woo, who plays a busy businessman also father to daughter, So-Ann. The purpose of the main character is to bring his daughter to meet her mother as he is too busy for her and she favors spending time with her mother over her grandmother. Then it goes on with the both individual travelling in a Train due to unavailability of other source of transportation to their preferred destination, Busan. As they get into the train, they meet different individuals with different characteristics and background who are considered the antagonist and protagonist. As the train is set to leave, an infected human gets into the train in verge of survival and spreads the infection to one leading to another. Each character fights their way to survive with their need to survive and their will to sacrifice is tested as the train moves further ahead. The journey eliminates one at a time as the infection spreads. Finally, after series of hurdles faced by the individual travelling. The weakest individuals, a pregnant woman, Jung Yu-Mi and daughter to Seok Woo, So-Ann striving the battle to survival.

   The film can be analyzed under various factors as many representation has been portrayed visually in the film. For example, the dead deer in the streets at the beginning of the film. It can be considered a bad sign or warning as many people consider it that way. Then the dead deer awakening representing or cueing the rising action to the audience. Apart from that, the portrayal of Seok Woo gifting the same present to Su-Ann can be considered another representation of them not having a bonding and good time spent together. In conjunction to that, the director, Yeong Sang-Ho has done a great job in developing each character contributing to each scenes accordingly. For example, Sang-Hwa sacrificing his life to save the life of his wife and others when he protect the door from being opened by the infected zombies. At the other hand, the brilliance of the story portraying individual characteristics of Seok Woo partially before him realizing, who just thinks about himself in midst of surviving the zombie attack at station before his daughter makes him realize his flaws. Then Yong-Suk, a selfish rich businessman who only have himself in mind during the survival. Yong-Suk is one of the negative characters in the film who is an antagonist, causing a few to die upon his ugly behavior. Somehow, his positive side and purpose behind the act is shown when he explains to Seok Woo that his dying mother is waiting for him at Busan after being infected. Following the context, the representation of humanity and different individuals at different circumstances is shown when the homeless man sacrifices his life to save the weaker ones stuck under the train and the rich ones at the safe compartment in train isolating Seok Woo and his fellow survivors portrays that humanity sinks as individuals get richer. Beyond that, the story then explains that greed for money and overwhelming technology research providing negative consequences to people. For example, when Seok Woo finds out that the research set by him is the cause behind the whole zombie apocalypse. Finally, after giving a lot of heartbreak to the audiences, the story does some hope of justice by saving the weakest individuals, Sung-Gyeong and Su-Ann at the end of the survival.

   To finalize the review about Train to Busan, thoughts regarding the brilliance of the actor for playing their character has to be recognized. Although the journey is led by Seok Woo, the most favourite character would definitely be Sang-Hwa. Ma Dong-Seok has played his character in the most excellent way possible, especially when breaking the stereotypes of having a larger physique when he runs after the train while fights against the infected ones attacking him. In addition to that, he engaged well with the audience with his sense of humor. For example, when Soo-Ann speaks Sung-Gyeong and Sang-Hwa emphasizing that he is the maker of the baby. Following that, Soo-Ann, played by Kim Soo-Ahn definitely deserves applause for carrying the character throughout the film. Being a timid, naive and wise child at the same time is not an easy task but she did a great job at carrying the role. For the final words, this film definitely is the best of its kind compared to any other globally. A sequel of the film would be very much anticipated by the lovers of this film if the same team is to make another kind of it.

References;

Train To Busan Review – a Nonstop Zombie Thrill Ride (Mark Kermode, 2016)

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/30/train-to-busan-review-nonstop-thrill-ride-zombies

Memento - Film Review

 Memento is a 2001 neo-noir psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan. Memento is Nolan's second film as a director. This is a mystery and suspense combined which can be classified under classic cult story telling method. The film is about a guy who suffers a short term memory loss after an incident involving rape and murder of his wife while him getting hit at the back of his head leaving him to suffer the memory malfunction. With his disorder, he seeks vengeance for the loss as he uses glimpse of his memory, written notes and polaroid photographs taken as assistance.

  In conjunction to that, The film begins with a beautiful shot of him holding a polaroid photograph which the colour changes. Then he carries on with glimpse of his memory to accomplish his desire of seeking vengeance for what happened to his wife. While he ventures into the attempt, he tries to recall what happened and the culprit behind the incident. He is assisted with pictures of number plate of a car and a specific name which starts with J and G as first and last name of the murderer. He then meets a few individuals like Sammy Jankis, one of Lenny's first insurance investigation. A motel clerk he lives in, who helps him out time in and out. Natalie, a woman working at a bar. Dodd, Natalie's boyfriend who Leonard believes to be the murderer. Teddy,  a cop who helps Lenny with his mission. finally, Jimmy a drug dealer whom Lenny kills believing him to be the murderer of his wife. Following that, he goes around the same area finding for the culprit. Finally, after killing Jimmy Grants, he is still unsure whether if it is the guy and the characteristics of Lenny is changed from being positive to negative as it is portrayed that he continues his journey of seeking the murderer after he is not convinced that he killed the right guy. The hypothetical ending is definitely something to look up to and what many film audiences favour. At the current times, it would be normal to see such ending but in 2001, it is definitely something new and to look up for, allowing the audiences to think.

 In terms of plot of the film, Nolan used his unique way of story telling blending parts of beginning and end. The purpose of this unique story telling method could be for the audience to feel the disability of Leonard which is his short term memory, an appealing factor for audiences to like the film. This reversed story telling method indirectly made the movie more intense and thrilling allowing the audiences to feel the suspense. Somehow, this maybe a negative factor for audiences if they miss a minute of the film as they will definitely lose track of the movie flow which is a dislike for me. Besides that factor, the characterization of Leonard is hard to understand as he does not reveal his profession and other background about himself but somehow as the story flows we understand his character profile like him revealing that he is an insurance agent when he is asked by Teddy.

 Apart from that, the film involves more monologue type dialogues to allow audiences to engage with the protagonist's journey. Throughout the film, Leonard speaks about his memory and reminds himself about his do and don't in the film. For example, Leonard reminding himself to not answer the phone call. This film is a post-modernism which defines a new technique or method of film making, breaking the barriers of being cliche. This way of storytelling was inspired by the Indian film industry allowing them to remake the film.
 
  Additionally, in terms of the the cuts and editing, Nolan emphasized the importance of editing by mixing the black&white and coloured compilation of footage. For example, Black&White representing the current and Colour portraying the past. The essence of post modernism is applied in the editing process as it would be new in 2001. It is not new for audiences and fans of Nolan to witness such film now, but back then it would've definitely been a good learn for film makers, something that is a positive point and what I liked about the film.
 
  Guy Pearce has also done a good job in terms of acting as he suit the character with the physique. He played a confused character and brought the audiences to follow his journey wisely. That is what a actor should do and Guy Pearce has used his experience in acting well to accomplish that task while playing Lenny @ Leonard. Most importantly, the end when he turns from a positive to negative character. His reaction is minimal but is enough to convince the audiences that he is right with his wrong doings, a hypothetical way allowing the audiences to decide whether if he is doing the right or wrong.
 
  To conclude the entire discussion, we can never say Nolan's film is bad because of his unique and new way of storytelling in every of his movies. This film definitely allowed the audiences to sit at their edge of their seat and know what is about to happen next. The intensity of the film is really strong despite the new method of footage compiled. Film makers should this way of creativity when telling their story as this is a great piece of art. A similar movie that is made by Christopher Nolan is Inception, where a different type of movie is made.