Chanthupottu (2005) : A Controversy

                            Chanthupottu is a Malayalam movie directed by Lal Jose and released in 2005 . It tells the story of Radhakrishn...

Sep 28, 2016

Train to Busan - REVIEW

I am a total novice as far as Korean movies are concerned. Of course I do have information about the richness in content and quality of films from Korea through my friends who are active followers of films emanating from that part of the world. After getting recommendations from my friends, I decided to watch Train to Busan which is my first Korean experience. The experience turned out to be a highly rewarding one and I regret that I am too late in stepping into the world of Korean films, so now lot of catching up to do. Thanking everyone who gave the green signal in nominating Train to Busan, let me try reviewing this movie.

Well, having seen many English movies in the Zombie-horror genre, even though hearing positive feedbacks didn't shake my mind before watching the movie as I was expecting just another film from the zombie world. But the movie proved me big time wrong in my perception towards it. It was a thrilling as well as an emotional rollercoaster that kept my focus right from the very beginning till the final scene.

As the title suggests, its a bullet train journey starting from a local station in Seoul to Busan. Among the people who board the train, the ones occupying pivotal roles with dominating presence are; a fund manager who is a divorcee and his little daughter, a pregnant lady and her husband, a high school baseball team and a homeless man. How their journey to Busan turns out to be a painful and frightening one is what that forms the basic crux of the story.

The harrowing experience that the travellers pass through is captured very well. The thrills, the horror and fear factor are all present and intact for a zombie film. But where the film score apart from the thrills is the sentimental presence in the story. The characters have so much depth and have blended so well making us really feel for the plight of the people on board.

The little girl and her relationship with her workaholic father who finds very little of his time to care for his daughter though he loves her, the love for the man towards his pregnant wife and his excitement of awaiting his baby are all well placed and connected in the plot even if the thrill and horror factor holds the upper hand in such plots which is something commendable. We should not be selfish just looking on our own things but rather should reach out to any extent to help others when they are in distress. I think this is something the makers wanted to convey and they have achieved the desired end result in conveying that simple but all-important thing.

At the same time, the film never fails to entertain and satisfy us and makes for a thoroughly engaging and touching experience. It may have similarities with a movie like a World War Z or some other movies of the genre but Train to Busan has a heart at the right place and an extra element of emotion that connects so well with the main subject making it more special as far as entertainment and thrill goes. On the performance side, its a team effort as everyone who is part of the ride has chipped in with extra efforts.

The colour pattern they have used , cinematography, cuts, sound design and high quality background score have all helped in making the ride to Busan an overwhelming experience as far as the making and technical side goes. Moving at a breathtaking speed just like a speeding train, Train to Busan is one movie that in the end has a penetrating feel as the curtains finally comes down through the final scene.

Rating - 4.5 / 5

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