Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula (2020)

Sometimes sequels regurgitate the same ideas as the first film, giving us what we saw before... but often bigger. Sometimes sequels will build on what was there before, enriching the story and taking it to new places. Peninsula, a follow up to Train to Busan, one of the best "Zombie movies" of the past few years, is in the latter category. Instead of continuing the story of the first film, Peninsula starts new threads, follows new characters, in the same story world, but explores bigger themes while still capturing what made Busan such a great film.

Peninsula has all the claustrophobic energy of the first film. The zombies here are of the running variety, vicious and terrifying, giving the film the fast paced and high energy vibe of the original. But like Busan, the story isn't just about horror, it's about the human reaction to such horror. Busan focused on characters, the humanity of the characters. Peninsula does the same. It is a very human story.

Without spoiling the story, Peninsula is the story of refugees. The very real world reality of those fleeing disaster are brought to life in this film. Peninsula doesn't bang us over the head with its metaphors, it fits it all nicely into a very compelling and exciting story. I found myself clenching my fists throughout, literally on the edge of my seat for most of the movie. The film sets up its multiple characters, each with their story threads, until they all run together into a high adrenalin climax. Does it flirt with being over the top? Perhaps. It is grandiose and emotional and but as I watched Peninsula, it earned all the ambition it took on.

Peninsula is part Mad Max, part Walking Dead, part Suicide Squad, part District 9, with a healthy helping of Train to Busan. And in many ways it is very much it's own story, a very thrilling, and often touching, story about humanity.

Peninsula 
Starring: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Re
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Writers: Park Joo-Suk, Yeon Sang-ho