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 13th
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)
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