Peninsula Blu-ray Review

"Train to Busan" boasts an impressive 1080p transfer with an AVC encoded 1.85:1 aspect ratio on Blu-ray, courtesy of Well Go USA. Shot with Arri Alexa XT cameras and finalized at a 2K DI, the sharpness and detail are commendable, capturing the intricacies of makeup effects on zombies as well as the multitude of textures in the characters' attire and environments. The transfer maintains a natural appearance overall, despite sporadic issues with CGI smoothness. Practical effect details are eye-catching and immersive, though some interior train shots display peculiar, sickly green color grading, even on non-zombie characters.

The film benefits from its bright, well-lit visuals, a rarity for zombie films, which helps to emphasize its primary color palette. Contrast levels are adeptly handled, especially during scenes set in dark tunnels where black levels occasionally turn gray to ensure visibility. This thoughtful directorial choice increases visual engagement by ensuring crucial scenes remain discernible. Black levels are rich and deep without signs of crush, which effectively supports the film's suspenseful atmosphere. Texture clarity is uniformly maintained, revealing individual hairs, pores, and a plethora of fine details, merging the real and surreal worlds seamlessly on screen.

Despite being set in confined quarters like train aisles, the presentation boasts a commendable depth, enhancing scene dimensionality and character movement fluidity. Colors reflect the apocalyptic scenario with noticeable dullness but come alive during key moments and character costume displays. Flesh tones, whether normal human or zombie, are portrayed with distinct accuracy that reinforces their differences. Overall, this transfer gives "Train to Busan" a strong visual platform that perfectly complements its intense narrative. Notably, the encoding reveals no noise, banding, or aliasing issues, upholding a consistently high picture quality standard throughout.

The audio presentation of the "Train to Busan" Blu-ray is exemplary, featuring a robust DTS:X track (DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 core) in the original Korean. This dynamic track ensures consistent immersion within the movie's confined setting and delivers a distinctively aggressive LFE that significantly heightens the film’s tension. The panning effects and specific placement of individual sounds, such as the whoosh of automatic doors, are meticulously executed. Explosions and other intense moments offer bursts of sonic energy, while dialogue remains clear and well-prioritized. An English dub is available in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, which provides excellent surround activity, albeit with less impressive voice work.

One of the standout features of the audio track is how it handles sequences of terror and loud attacks. The horrifying sounds of snorting, grunting, and chomping zombies are immersive, effectively utilizing each channel to envelope the viewer in bone-chilling scenarios. Even during quieter scenes, the environmental effects like the rickety rocking of the train maintain a continuous sense of auditory engagement. The music score spreads dynamically throughout the channels, enhancing the overall tension and atmosphere.

The Korean DTS-X track proves to be a solid choice for maximizing the film's thrills. It balances action-packed sequences with moments of dialogue without overshadowing quieter scenes, maintaining ambient noise and effects seamlessly. This track offers an impressive workout for the LFE channel due to the varied amounts of action. The rear channels are utilized effectively to balance the audio presentation, despite the primary focus on front and center channels. Overall, the dialogue reproduction is consistently loud and clear, making this an extremely enjoyable audio experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Train to Busan" includes a concise selection of extras that, although limited in number, provide an insightful behind-the-scenes look into the film's production. The highlight is a 13-minute "Behind the Scenes" feature, which immerses viewers in the filmmaking process with unfiltered and candid footage of various scenes being shot, showcasing the craftsmanship involved in staging complex sequences on a train set. Another inclusion is "That's A Wrap," a brief 4-minute featurette that captures the candid moments from the final day of filming, including interviews and wrap party footage. Lastly, there's a film trailer that might best be avoided until after viewing the movie itself, as it contains significant spoilers. Overall, these extras, while succinct, deliver valuable insights into the creative efforts and atmosphere on set.

Extras included in this disc:

• Behind the Scenes: An unfiltered look at the making of various scenes, providing insights into the filmmaking process.
• That's A Wrap: Candid moments from the final day of filming, with interviews and wrap party footage.
• Trailer: Contains significant spoilers; best viewed after watching the film.

"Train to Busan" propels the zombie genre into a confined and intense setting, delivering pulse-pounding excitement. The story begins with a hedge fund manager, Seok-woo, and his daughter, Soo-an, boarding a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan amidst an incipient zombie outbreak. The film cleverly uses the train's claustrophobic environment to intensify the sense of dread and urgency, blending visceral thrills with subtle socioeconomic commentary. The pacing is relentless, showcasing frenetic zombie chases and heart-stopping set pieces that utilize the unique train layout for maximum effect. The zombies here are fast and formidable, akin to those in "28 Days Later" and "World War Z," adding a fresh dynamic to the action.

The ensemble cast offers both compelling and archetypal characters that enrich the narrative. Gong Yoo’s portrayal of Seok-woo anchors the emotional heart of the film, charting his transformation from a detached businessman to a protective father. Ma Dong-seok as Sang-hwa stands out with his robust and endearing performance as a blue-collar hero. Supporting characters, including a greedy businessman, elderly sisters, and a high school baseball team, each add layers to the unfolding drama, contributing to both the tension and occasional comic relief.

Director Yeon Sang-ho’s transition from animation to live-action is impressively seamless. The film is not just a parade of thrilling sequences but also injects moments of genuine emotion and social critique. While it carries some genre clichés, "Train to Busan" distinguished itself with its inventive approach and tight screenplay. It strikes a balance between horror and entertainment without relying heavily on gore, making it accessible while still satisfying zombie aficionados. This impeccably crafted film underscores the potential for creative storytelling within genre constraints, further solidifying South Korea's prowess in cinema.

"Train to Busan" breathes new life into the zombie genre by combining visceral horror with profound emotional depth. Set primarily in the confined quarters of a high-speed train, this film masterfully enhances the claustrophobic tension typical of both disaster and zombie narratives. The storyline cleverly intertwines a thrilling survival plot with the touching journey of an estranged father and his young daughter, creating an unexpectedly heartfelt experience. The film's ability to balance these elements makes it not only exciting but also deeply engaging.

The Blu-ray edition of "Train to Busan" is technically outstanding. The video quality is sharp, with crisp detail and vivid color reproduction, truly capturing the frantic intensity and somber tones of the film. Audio performance is equally impressive, utilizing surround sound to amplify the tension and immerse the viewer in the chaotic environment. While the disc does fall short in terms of special features, the strength of the film itself coupled with its strong technical delivery makes it a worthwhile addition to any collection.

In conclusion, "Train to Busan" excels by adhering to genre conventions while also injecting fresh, innovative ideas. Despite its slightly predictable ending, the film's overall impact is both dynamic and emotionally resonant. With solid technical merits, this Blu-ray comes highly recommended as a must-watch for zombie enthusiasts and cinephiles alike.