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J.P.: Editor (EIC - Editor in Cheif), Writer (CC - Content Contributor);
Joel Kenyon: Editor (AE - Assistant Editor), Writer (CC - Content Contributor); William S Mayfield: Writer (CC - Content Contributor)
SEOUL STATION, from visionary Train to Busan director Yeon Sang-ho, landed exclusively on iTunes in the U.S. May 30th!
The animated prequel to the box office record-breaker TRAIN TO BUSAN and the latest from director Yeon Sang-ho, SEOUL STATION is a fresh and terrifying take on the modern zombie film.
A man sleeping in Seoul Station becomes a catalyst for the pandemonium in downtown Seoul; a zombie apocalypse. The rapidly spreading infection propels an authentic family drama, drawing mordant parallels to real-world social horrors.
As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....
When I came up with my list of the top 13 horror films of 2016, I was so incredibly excited to share my feelings on my number one selection for the year. It, literally, blew me away with it's storytelling, emotional impact, special effects and heart. It had been a while since I'd seen a film take on an over saturated genre and make it new again. That film was, 'Train To Busan'. Not since 2014's, 'Spring', had a horror film moved me with it's depth of emotions. Typically, our beloved genre goes for scares over cares and these two films proved that there was so much more to it than just trying to one up the last movie in how creatively you can kill someone. So, when I heard that there was an animated prequel to 'Train To Busan', I became very excited. Anime has shown itself, time and time again, as a proven medium where you can tell any story imaginable and make it work. No matter how bizarre or how much or how little money you have.... if you can think of it, you can animate it. This made me hopeful for what was to come. There also were so many unanswered questions as to how the outbreak started and what was happening in other parts of Korea, as our main characters were barreling down the tracks on a train filled with the undead. I was hoping that 'Seoul Station' would answer those questions and add another chapter to an already amazing story. Last night, I sat down with my mind racing with the possibilities and fired up what, basically, is the equivalent of a Saturday morning cartoon for adults. (And I mean that in the best way possible.)
'Seoul Station' begins with a busy downtown scene, in which an elderly man is wandering the streets, clearly suffering from some sort of injury. Being looked at as merely a homeless man with some kind of bite wound, he's almost entirely ignored by those all around him. He eventually finds his way to a place where others have gathered to find somewhere to sit and rest for awhile. He lays down and is left alone. Before long, another man enters the scene. A rather odd fellow who isn't looked at as much more than a buffoon. He finds the old man and tries to get help for him. At the same time all of this is happening, we're introduced to a young couple who are also struggling, but with their relationship and money issues. As the film goes on, their stories intertwine, as the old man returns from the dead, to begin infecting all of those around him with a zombie virus. It quickly spreads and soon there's an army of the living dead, killing and infecting everyone in their path. Things just go from bad to worse and before long, it's a full fledged outbreak and no one is safe. Without spoiling the ending, all of my fellow Creeps have seen this scenario before and we all know how it will end. Or do we?
There was a lot to really enjoy about this film. Granted, the animation was a bit of a throw back to the older style of anime. A bit stuttered and grainy, but it wasn't without it's charm and the zombies were still quite terrifying. Chattering teeth and all. There were a few pacing issues and the tension could have been raised, by some more full on running, instead of the 'Heavy Metal' style of running. However, there were some legitimately great sequences in 'Seoul Station'. I don't find myself talking back to a movie much these days. I've seen so many and spent much of my life viewing horror film after horror film, but this one had me saying things out loud, to animated characters on the screen. That's the sign of an effective film. The two scenes that stood out the most for me were the ambulance flip scene. In which, two of our main protagonists are involved in an ambulance crash. It was a slow motion shot and was executed as well as any big budget Hollywood fare. The second scene was when the same two protagonists, were trying to escape through the subway tunnels. I won't give away what happened, but you'll know it, when you see the gate and the older woman coming towards them. It was an incredibly effective way to build tension and had me on the edge of my seat. Again, not something that happens much these days. Not too mention the ending. A twist that I never saw coming.
All in all, 'Seoul Station' may not be held in the same high regard as 'Train To Busan' is, but it's a worthy prequel to an amazing masterpiece of modern zombie cinema. It provided us another view on the eve of an oncoming apocalypse. Written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho, who also has the same credits for 'Train To Busan', he's proven that he can not only tell an effective story in animation.... but in real life as well. I'm excited to see what the future holds from him. This film may have some faults, but no film is truly perfect and when you compare it to the constant birage of other zombie films being produced right now, it's still head and shoulders above most of them. The main characters are well drawn out and the story, although very simple in scope, has a lot of complexities and not so subtle social commentary attached to it. My feelings are that this is a 4 out of 5 star film, whether it was animated or not. I do think that the animation was a better medium in which to tell this particular story, but that's just my opinion. In America, we don't see too many franchises that take this route to deliver a gripping story. The only other example I can think of, is 'The Matrix' and 'The Animatrix'. I'm hoping that we see more of this in the future, as it opens up a lot of doorways to tell a story in creative and new ways. At the end of the day, I would recommend both of these films, as a double feature. If you think you've seen all that the horror world has to offer, in terms of the zombie genre, then you might just end up being pleasantly surprised.
Here's a link to the film's pre-order page at iTunes, it will be available exclusively in the U.S. tomorrow, May 30th, and worth every frame!
If you enjoy this film, check out some other original zombie tales: 'The Battery', 'Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead' and 'Burying the Ex'
OK we've had snakes on planes and we have had Keanu on a bus and now we have Zombies on a train. Yes, its true, but this is no run of the mills b-movie jumbling of creatures together just to get a quick buck off the masses. This movie is an over the top action horror movie of, dare I say, epic proportion, yes it is.
Train to Busan starts slow, but quickly gains traction and does not let go. The story follows business man Seok Woo and his daughter Soo An as they are traveling to meat her mom who lives in another town. Seok is your typical business man and is working all the time, so there is some tension between him and Soo an. Now early on we hear that there is trouble brewing somewhere in town but not to sure if its big enough to worry with. Seok decides that he should travel wit his daughter on the train and this is where the story takes off. I'm not to familiar with Asian cinema, so I don't think I have seen any of these actors before, but that did not stop me. Normally I stay away from subtitles but this was just to good. From the first day I saw the trailer I was hooked and the movie is a continuation of the feeling I got from the trailer. Pure cinematic joy. Its amazing that even in a movie from a country I will probably never visit with a language I do not understand I could enjoy so much. Once on the train our travelers meet Sang Hwa and his very pregnant girl friend Sng Gyeoung. There is also a baseball team traveling on board too. Batter up, zombie movies always need bats.
Now all this starts when one teenage girl sneaks on board the train who has been bitten. And the infection is crazy fast. Some of the best zombie movements I have ever seen on screen. Fast, nasty and fracking scary. When the action takes off it sky rockets and dos not stop. There is a group of core characters that we follow through this nightmare on rails. From our father and daughter to the evil business man (every movie needs one) to the young couple of teenagers. A baseball player and a cheerleader. At least I think she was a cheerleader. This movie moves fast but does not lose its story at all. You never stop caring for these people during it. Which to me is remarkable seeing that I did not understand the dialog and I know reading the subtitles is not always a accurate translation. Once the train reaches its first stop, well the only station they come across safe enough to stop at they stop for a breather, but only for a short while. This where they learn that the trouble is more wide spread than they knew. There are a lot of zombie movies out there and I have probably seen most of them, but they are mostly just zombie movies. Movies about the zombies and not much about the people who have to fight for their lives surviving this apocalypse. Now we do have some exceptions to the rule like The walking Dead and Dawn of the Dead just to name a few, but mainly its a constant revolving door of boom, bite, die. Don't get me wrong, I love some carnage just much as the next guy, but sometimes I want a damn good story and believe and lovable characters and Train to Busan delivers. Just as or heroes think they might have a moment t themselves all hell breaks loose. After a narrow escape from the station everyone gets separated in to different compartments and this makes for a even more tense situations. Now there is a power struggle going on between the srvivors with a basic good vs evil as Eui-sung Kim makes his play to rally what few survivors are left to fortify one care and keep all out. Survivors and the dead. One of the most visually pleasing things in this film is the use of practical effects. I am old school and CGI is fine but there is a art to practical effects that computer can't quite grasp yet. Also the stunt work with the zombies is incredible. The jerky movements and the way these performers jumped and ran literally gave me the creeps. Movements like this have not creeped me out like this since The Ring. I don't want give away to much of the story. I will say this, Train to Busan came out of nowhere and hit me like a, well a train and did not let go. There is pain, scares, emotion and great story telling wrapped in one of the best damn zombie movies I have ever seen, and I cant wait to own it. Also I might have to check ot some of the other these actors appear in. I'm not saying that I've been come a fan of Asian cinema but this movie has opened my eyes to that there is movies other than the ones playing in our neck of the woods. I give Train to Busan a solid 10 out of 10 This movie grabbed me by the neck and didn't let go, not once.
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)
1) Train to Busan
Our final entry and the one that holds the highest honor this year is the Korean zombie film, 'Train to Busan'. Now, before you say that you've seen every zombie film under the sun, I'm going to tell you that you need to see this one too. The premise is simple, a train on it's way to Busan, is quickly overrun by a zombie apocalypse. No, that's not as far as this goes, but that's all you really need to know. What happens from there is sheer madness. Unlike anything I've ever seen before, 'Train to Busan' creates a whole different level of undead terror. Little to no CGI and a whole lot of extras, create a jaw dropping experience that you will not soon forget. This film has you on the edge of your seat within minutes and doesn't let you catch your breath until the final credits roll. It's easily in my top 5 zombie films ever and with repeated viewings, could create a tie for first place. There's so many things going on in this film, that I can't even begin to write about them all. Some of it may not be new ground, but rest assured, that's it's ground breaking all the same. If you don't see any of the other films on this list, be sure and see this one. (and '31' and 'Darling') It's an emotional roller coaster terrifying thrill ride that is unlike anything that's come before. If this doesn't take the top spots on almost all of the horror recaps of this year, then there truly is no justice in this world. Go and find this one right now.... before it finds you!
Suggested snack to eat while watching: head cheese and kidney beans
It's that time of year folks! When we look back at last years best horror films and leave you with a list of fantastic films you can't ignore! This year is full expected favorites you've probably heard of and as usual, we always we want to surprise you with things you need to see!
#6 The Wailing/Train to Busan (Kor)
In the last decade Korean horror has re-invented what it means to be kicked in the feels. It all began with I Saw the Devil in 2010. These two films messed with our heads in 2016...
The Wailing
A stranger arrives in a little village and soon after a mysterious sickness starts spreading. A policeman is drawn into the incident and is forced to solve the mystery in order to save his daughter.
Demons and witches abound in this supernatural thriller. Superstition and stranger danger is confused for evil intent and the true horror is when family protection goes wrong. An excellent biblical style horror film thats reminiscent of Prey with the bite of The Witch.
Train to Busan
While a zombie-virus breaks out in South Korea, a couple of passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan.
Train to Busan is a zombie film that requires lots of tissues to watch. Seriously, as you watch this previously absentee father try to fulfill his daughters wishes in the midst of the usual zombie madness you can't help but lose your heart to the poor guy and the little girl. Also, theres so many awesome zombies on that mother f'n train!
