6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A zombie virus has in the last 4 years spread to all South Korea. 4 Koreans in HK sail thru the blockade to Incheon for USD20,000,000 on a truck.
Starring: Lee Jung-hyun, Gang Dong-won, Kim Kyu-baek, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Tae-joonHorror | 100% |
Action | 46% |
Thriller | 42% |
Foreign | 38% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Korean: Dolby Atmos
Korean: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Korean: Dolby Digital 2.0
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (384 kbps)
English
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Has there ever been a film other than Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula that features the title of a previous film (in this case the South Korean blockbuster Train to Busan) in what amounts to a producer credit or at least production entity credit? It’s a very odd way to title a film which could have just as easily been called Train to Busan 2 or perhaps more accurately Boat From Busan or any number of other alternatives that would have just as easily, and perhaps much less clunkily, referenced this film’s progenitor. But, there’s the rub: Peninsula wants desperately to be another Train to Busan, but it never quite musters the innovative feel of Train to Busan simply because it is a sequel, and therefore unavoidably deals in both plot elements and presentational approaches that are going to be “old hat”, at least for those viewers who flocked to Train to Busan several years ago. Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula picks up after the events of the first film, with South Korea a veritable wasteland overrun by zombies and with news reports full of stories about a mysterious virus which has led to disaster (sound familiar?). The film kind of oddly omits characters from the first film, something that could have ostensibly tied it to its predecessor, and instead introduces a glut of new folks on the run from the zombies. The film is kind of split into two parts, with an introductory section devoted to a Marine Captain named Jung-seok (Gang Dong-won) who is attempting to get his sister’s family to safety aboard a large freighter which is docked and awaiting uninfected folks to get them out of Korea. Jung-seok actually succeeds in his mission, but not before driving right past a panicked family begging for him to pick them up and get them to safety, too. Those attuned to the vagaries of modern screenwriting will probably be making a mental note as to when at least one of these characters might be returning later, but in the meantime the first part of the film actually mimics Train to Busan the most directly by having a zombie outbreak afflict the ship, something that results in Jung-seok having to make some troubling decisions involving his family members.
Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Well Go USA with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. The IMDb lists Arri Alexas as having digitally captured the imagery, and some online data (which I don't consider necessarily authoritative) alludes to a 2K DI. There's a somewhat peculiar (especially for a contemporary digitally captured outing) video-like quasi-filtered look here at intermittent times, where things like skin pores seem to magically evaporate, noticeable in moments like the opening shots detailing the refugees' attempts to get to safety on the freighter. Otherwise, though, detail levels tend to be very good to excellent when lighting conditions allow and when frequent "jiggly cam" isn't being used. In terms of lighting, though, the vast majority of this story plays out in darker environments, environments which are frequently further shaded by some grading choices on the blue end of the spectrum. As such, a good degree of murk can intrude and detail levels can falter (see screenshot 19). The CGI here is not always believable, adding to the slightly cartoonish ambience of some supposedly shocking moments.
Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula features a nicely detailed Dolby Atmos track in the original Korean. This may not consistently utilize overhead effects, but they're noticeable in many sequences, including some of the relentless car chases (which also provide some of the best panning effects in the mix) and even in scenes of zombies marauding through humans, as in the "fight club" sequences. If there may not always be a maximum amount of verticality, there is certainly immersion to spare, with the side and rear channels regularly engaged throughout the many outdoor scenes, and with ominous LFE helping to create angst during several attack scenes. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
- The Sequel (1080p; 1:43)
- The Action (1080p; 2:31)
- The Director (1080p; 1:29)
- The Characters (1080p; 3:04)
Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula is way too derivative for its own good, but even worse, it's ridiculously repetitive after a while. There are still moments of tension, to be sure, but the film struggles mightily to get to the same emotion levels the first film seemed to achieve with much less effort. Video has a few hurdles to overcome, but audio is great, for those who are considering a purchase.
2020
Alternative Cover Art
2020
반도 / Bando / Alternative Cover Art
2020
부산행 / Busanhaeng
2016
[•REC]⁴: Apocalypse / [•REC]⁴: Apocalipsis
2014
서울역 / Seoulyeok
2016
Collector's Edition | + Theatrical Cut on BD
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