Rating: B
Dir: Yeon Sang-ho
Star: Jun Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Kim Shin-rok
The director of Train to Busan makes another foray into the zombie genre, after animated prequel Seoul Station and live-action sequel Peninsula. This is probably a little short of Train, though I do want to rewatch that: it may well have matured like fine wine. The main issue here might be the lack of emotional connection. While there are a bunch of interesting concepts, they work more on an intellectual level. I never felt much for the characters. There’s an obvious connection in theme to his previous work. However, this appears to take place in a different zombie apocalypse. Really, what are the odds? Seoul must be the unluckiest city ever.
The source of the outbreak is very human. Disgruntled – and, I’d say, barking mad – biologist Seo Young-chul (Koo), releases his weaponized creation inside the building where the chairman of Chains Bio is giving a presentation. Although the location is quickly locked down, after the inhabitants start becoming a bit bitey, the problem is that Seo is the vaccine too. So he is the only way to stop the outbreak. Those inside also include biotechnology professor Kwon Se-jeong (Jun), a biotechnology professor, and security guard Choi Hyun-seok (Ji). They discover that the infected have a communal intelligence like fungi, making them capable of sharing information and learning, becoming more dangerous. Worse, after Seo allows himself to be bitten, he becomes the de facto leader of them, capable of directing their behaviour.
This is at its best when Kwon is figuring out what’s going on, and trying to use the infected’s network against them. For example, by “training” them to associate humans with the scent of a particular brand of perfume. So if you are doused in anti-freeze instead, they’ll ignore you. The creatures – I find myself curiously averse to using the Z-word – are still extremely creepy. I can only imagine the casting call for extras said “Must be able to gallop on all fours, and breakdance.” The contortions through which their bodies get twisted are impressive. Though the freakiest moment is likely when they go into “network mode” for the first time (top). It’s when you realize these are going to be… different.
It is these differences which power the film. After all, your basic zombie movie has been played out for a decade. You could argue Train marked the end of the cycle. Yeon seems aware of this, and instead wants to use them as a metaphor. Zombies as the next stage of human evolution? Seo does make the case that shared intelligence would remove many of the causes of the world’s problems. On the other hand: I am Locutus of Borg. Perhaps this partly explains the lack of emotions here. It feels like survival is less of an natural imperative, and more an intellectual puzzle to be solved. It remains an interesting exercise, and the cerebral direction was an unexpected bonus, beyond the expected volume of face-munching.