Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		4.0

Train to Busan 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman December 5, 2022

Note: Well Go USA released their 1080 version of Train to Busan over five years ago (nearly six, actually), and are just now getting around to a 4K UHD release of the title. This review reprints relevant portions of my review of the 1080 release.

Train travel, for all its perceived peacefulness, isn’t for the faint of heart. While the trappings of locomotives have had technological upgrades over the course of the century plus this mode of transportation has been in use, there are still some undeniable facts that have to be taken into consideration if one is considering traveling this way. First of all, things obviously take longer on trains, even “new, improved” high speed offerings like the Acela. Second of all, the ride can often be at least a little choppy, meaning if you’re on one of these vehicles for more than a day, sleeping can be a bit of a challenge (I say this from repeated personal experience). No matter what the passing inconveniences of choosing this way to get from Point A to Point B might be, they probably pale in comparison to the conceit that drives (no pun intended) Train to Busan: a “zombie outbreak” on board a high speed train on its way to the titular destination. The film utilizes its inherently claustrophobic setting to up the ante of a zombie horde attempting to attack innocent bystanders (and/or by-riders, as the case may be), but it also has a kind of interesting subtext which seems to be alluding to some socioeconomic issues that South Korea is facing. The film is often viscerally exciting, even if it ultimately tips into Grand Guignol territory as well as indulging in a liberal slathering of schmaltz in its endgame.

Train to Busan actually begins with another mode of travel, as a truck driver has to pass through some kind of quarantine crossing where his rig is sprayed with some kind of anticontaminant. It seems to have been a recurring issue in this region as evidenced by the driver’s frustration. After passing through this gauntlet, he’s momentarily distracted by his cellphone, which leads to predictably calamitous results, which in turn leads to the rather alarming sight of what might be termed a “zombie Bambi” (Bombie?). After that disturbing prelude, the film segues to workaholic hedge fund manager named Seok-woo (Gong Yoo), who is ensconced in a high rise seemingly willing to put the entire Korean economy at risk to satisfy the whims of a client.

Seok-woo turns out to be a divorced father of a sweet little girl named Soo-an (Soo-an Kim), though it’s clear his work duties have made him a less than nurturing parent, and in fact he has to rely on the expertise of one of his assistants to get Soo-an a gift. In an attempt to perhaps forge a better relationship with his daughter, Seok-woo agrees to take her to Busan to visit with her mother. And so the “travelogue” section of the film begins.

In some ways Train to Busan plays very much like a standard disaster movie, with a number of characters boarding the train, all of whom have different stories and even agendas, and who are introduced through a series of brief vignettes. But in other ways the film plies a really interesting subtext that deals with issues like the homeless population and those who are less fortunate. In fact in one of the film’s first patent “winks” at the audience, while it’s obvious someone infected with zombieism has boarded the train, the passengers and staff are more freaked out by what appears to be a bum hiding out in a restroom.

In a predictable and yet still viscerally exciting sequence, the zombiefied passenger ends up attacking one of the train crew, which is what starts spreading the disease throughout the moving vehicle. There’s an almost comedic aspect to the early going here, where folks with “better things to think about” don’t really pay attention to what’s happening (many of them are of course glued to their phones), or, even if they do see the marauding infestation, don’t seem to be overly concerned about it. However, the urgency of the situation ultimately becomes clear, especially when television broadcasts (this is a deluxe train with satellite service, evidently) detail the outbreak of mayhem in several locations.

The film has a number of fantastic set pieces, all the more impressive since so many of them take place in confined quarters. There are a couple of sequences where the train riders attempt to get out and about, and here especially the film departs from at least some traditional zombie lore by having the so-called walking dead be able to run—rather quickly, in fact. It ups the anxiety level considerably and gives extra energy to several gruesome attack scenes.

Train to Busan also predictably documents Seok-woo’s transformation from an observer of sorts to an actual protective and involved father, but despite this formulaic approach, there is consistent emotional content derived from several key scenes, especially in the film’s second half. There’s a tendency for things to tug a bit too stridently at the heart strings as things approach the final moments, but that’s a relatively small price to pay in the long run. While a lot of the supporting characters are more or less “types”, the film is anchored by two very strong performances by Gong Yoo and especially the adorable little Soo-an Kim, whose incredibly expressive eyes are able to indicate multiple levels of sadness and horror.

Train to Busan 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc.

Train to Busan is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Well Go USA with a 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Despite having a 2K DI (per the IMDb), this 4K version actually does show some nice upticks in fine detail levels across the board, at least with regard to some of the practical items like textures on fabrics of costumes or even things like the upholstery and carpet in the train itself. The CGI can still be a bit soft looking, and I'd argue that some of the aerial shots depicting the carnage in urban areas isn't especially aided by the increased resolution of this release. Where I think most viewers may end up appreciating this 4K UHD version is with regard to HDR and/or Dolby Vision. As I mentioned in my original Train to Busan Blu-ray review with regard to the video side of things in the 1080 version, some of the grading choices are a bit odd, but the "greenish" hues I mentioned there have an almost slightly orange bent now, which I guess maybe tips them toward chartreuse territory. The prevalence of blues also has some really interesting new highlights that are kind of in the aquamarine or teal territory. Shadow detail is at least marginally improved as well. My score is 4.25.

Train to Busan 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

I always find it kind of oddly interesting when the same label puts out product with different specs, and in this instance, Well Go USA is offering a Dolby Atmos track on this 4K UHD disc in place of the DTS:X track on the 1080 disc. I frankly noticed little if any difference between the two, and the Atmos track like the DTS:X track offers both consistent surround activity as well as frequent bursts of LFE. Both panning and overhead effects are noticeable, and some of the cacophonous zombie scenes offer really fun cartwheeling effects marauding through the side and rear channels. The same DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English dub that was on the 1080 disc is included here. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout, and optional English subtitles are available.

Train to Busan 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The 4K UHD disc boasts no supplemental material, and my score above reflects that fact. The few supplements detailed in my 1080 review linked to above are of course included on the 1080 disc in this package. Additionally, packaging features a slipcover.

Train to Busan 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Train to Busan is that rare film that doesn't shy away from any number of genre conventions (including both disaster and zombie genres), but which still manages to do something new with the material. "The Narrow Margin" setting gives this film some really nicely claustrophobic anxiety levels, and the developing relationship between an estranged father and his little girl offers some unexpectedly moving emotional content. If the film falters at the very end, the rest of the journey is exciting and often quite scary. Well Go USA's 4K UHD presentation offers solid video and audio, and comes Highly recommended.