If one suggested ten years ago that Korean productions would become a mainstay in entertainment in Malaysia and overseas, it would have been seen as a ludicrous idea.
Yet, Korean culture has certainly left its mark in the entertainment industry in more ways than one, as can be attested by addictive dramas and catchy tunes.
Malaysian audiences have also been more than receptive to Korean films, which often have intriguing plotlines and relatable characters.
So, when Train to Busan was first released in 2016, Malaysians took to the film with much gusto and it became the highest-grossing Korean film in the country.
Four years later, the sequel to the zombie blockbuster has finally been released, and at quite a time.
Sure, there are no zombies running around biting and infecting people, but there’s certainly something going around infecting millions.
There is certainly some sense of irony about how one of the first films that Malaysians will get to see after theatres were long shut is a film about an infectious zombie virus.
Directed by returning filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho, the film is similarly set four years after the events of the first film and follows a different set of characters.
Apparently, while Busan was supposed to be a safe haven in the first film, the entirety of the Korean peninsula (except North Korea, funnily enough) was ultimately lost to the zombie hordes.
Surviving Korean citizens escape overseas as refugees and it is among these survivors that the film’s protagonist is found, a former Marine captain named Jung-seok, played by Gang Dong-won, who seeks refuge in Hong Kong.
Guilt-ridden for losing his sister and nephew to the zombies, he accepts a contract that requires his return to zombie-infested Korea to recover millions of dollars left behind in the chaos.
To make things more complicated, his estranged brother-in-law, played by Kim Do-yoon comes along for the mission and their relationship is tenuous, to say the least.
What appears to be a relatively simple mission is made complicated, however, as it turns out Jung-seok has more to deal with than just zombies.
It should be noted that while Train to Busan is beloved for its emotional stakes and drama, Peninsula focuses more on heart-pounding action and thrilling chases.
Peninsula seems to consist of a blend of four different genres; that of thrillers, zombie flicks, K-dramas and heist action films.
While it can be said there is a little something for everyone, the combination of genres can lead to very differing tones throughout the film.
It is quite well-known that Korean films have a fondness for melodramatic moments, and Train to Busan had them too.
They seem a little more pronounced in Peninsula, however, with emotional scenes unfolding in slow motion with soft strains from a piano in the background.
This does not gel well with prior scenes of the main characters running for their lives from ravenous hordes of zombies.
In addition, Train to Busan was an interesting spin on the zombie genre as it had its characters trapped in a claustrophobic environment with little between them and the zombies.
Peninsula largely takes place in an apocalyptic zombie wasteland of a city, which is not something audiences will find unfamiliar nor new.
However, these melodramatic moments and recycled settings do not dampen the film nor make it a bad one.
The plot of the film is relatively simple, and is essentially a heist film, but the moments that lead up to each other are what keeps the audience engaged.
High-speed car chases through the streets of an abandoned zombie-infested city may seem to be the product of an over-imaginative child, but it works surprisingly well as a set piece in this film.
Fans of the Fast and Furious film franchise will likely find themselves loving these car chases and gun fights, which often happen at the same time.
Parts of this film rely heavily on CGI, which generally hold up, though there are moments where the film appears to be a video game rather than a movie.
Perhaps this is testament to the director’s talent as an animator; it should be noted that back in 2016, he also released an animated film called Seoul Station as a prequel of sorts to Train to Busan.
In addition to the set pieces, credit has to be given to the cast, with Gang competently playing a stoic soldier tormented by his inner demons.
The rest of the cast, too, play their roles well, and it is quite a surprise that the human antagonists can be a lot more intimidating than the mindless zombie hordes.
Train to Busan was unashamed to discuss its themes of fatherhood, social class and sacrifice.
Likewise, Peninsula has a number of themes discussed through its runtime as well, including redemption and anti-refugee xenophobia.
There is something to be said about how some people can be driven to savagery during times of crises, but others will be moved to do what’s right even then.
Ultimately, it’s the deep themes, the relatable characters and the human drama that make this film one to catch in theatres.
After so many months of having to watch movies at home, Peninsula is a great film to reignite the Malaysian love for cinema again, in a world battling an actual virus.
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