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Title: Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula (2020)
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| Credited cast: | |||
| Dong-won Gang | ... | Jung Seok | |
| Lee Jung-hyun | ... | Min Jung | |
 |
Re Lee | ... | Jooni |
|
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Hae-hyo Kwon | ... | Old man KIM |
| Min-Jae Kim | ... | Sergeant Hwang | |
|
|
Kyo-hwan Koo | ... | Captain Seo |
| Do-yoon Kim | ... | Chul-min | |
|
|
Ye-Won Lee | ... | Yu Jin |
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
Sheblu Ahmed | ... | Sihab |
| Daniel Joey Albright | ... | American Soldier McClain | |
|
|
Si-Won Cha | ... | Hong Kong action leader |
| Pierce Conran | ... | Reporter | |
| Terri Doty | ... | Min Jung (voice) | |
| Geoffrey Giuliano | ... | Hong Kong Boss | |
|
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Christopher Gordon | ... | UN Soldier |
Peninsula takes place four years after the zombie outbreak in Train to Busan. The Korean peninsula is devastated and Jung Seok, a former soldier who has managed to escape overseas, is given a mission to go back and unexpectedly meets survivors.
When Train to Busan hit theaters, it became a sensational hit for the right reasons. It manages to become an enjoyable blockbuster yet with smart social commentary and emotional moments that (I need to admit) made me cry. 4 years later, Peninsula - the sequel - hit the theaters with high ambition but fail to reach the height of its predecessor as it falls into the ordinary sequel trap.
4 years after the events of Train to Busan, a former marine, Jung-Seok (Gang Dong-won) must return and retrieve something at now-abandoned Korea in order to be accepted by the society outside their homeland. I really appreciate how they took a new approach to the zombie sequels with a new setting. However, bigger doesn't always mean better as the world-building lacked in the concept details of that never reach the tension felt in its predecessor.
Perhaps the above reason can't be blame due to its small yet important component: characters. A large number of characters also resulted in less screen-time, making it hard to have in-depth sympathy with the characters. The characters also felt flat with its two-dimensional personality, making it hard for the characters to be likable even when the actors have given their best to portray them. As a result, it lacks emotional attachment and even scares to deliver.
Still, I can't deny on how much entertaining Peninsula has to offer. Yeon Sang-ho's use of camerawork and how he directs the action sequence make the film watchable. I preferably like the first chase scene with zombies and the survival game. The survival game especially, really showcases his direction with his one-take. The visual style could be deemed as unique as well, showing abandoned Korea as dirty and chaotic yet beautifully eye-catching. Although I need to say that the CG in its car scene is extremely rough that you somehow looking more of a video game than a live-action film.
Overall, Peninsula is could never reach its predecessor quality as a smart blockbuster with a high emotional level. However, its entertainment value, if almost, could still reach what it had left 4 years ago. Just don't expect too much to use your brain and have fun as you visit Peninsula.