The sequel to one of the best zombie movies of all time was so bad you probably don’t even know it exists

Train to Busan is one of the best zombie films of the 21st century – and it spawned a sequel so disappointing that it was immediately forgotten. The original Train to Busan felt like a breath of fresh air for zombie movies in 2016. The genre has become saturated by an endless wave of movies, video games, and shows like Undead. Train to Busan stood out for being a relentless and emotional journey filled with great characters: it also managed to make its zombies truly terrifying.

The film ended with a gut punch, and while the zombie situation was far from resolved when the credits rolled, it also didn’t set up a sequel. Yet, Train to Busan won 95% in Rotten tomatoes and raised more than US$95 million worldwide (via The Numbers). This level of acclaim and box office success soon led to negotiations for a sequel, and things initially looked promising when original writer and director Yeon Sang-ho signed on to direct Train to Busan features: Peninsula. Unfortunately, this independent follow-up actually deserved a lukewarm reception.

Peninsula barely looks like a train sequence to Busan

There’s a reason it’s not called Train to Busan 2

Shortly after debuting in 2020, Peninsula was labeled a huge disappointment. THE Train to Busan sequence stands at 55% in Rotten tomatoeswith many expressing surprise that the film was made by the same director. The original is based on its rich characters, and the film made viewers really invested in their fight for survival. It also featured expertly crafted sets, but while Train to Busan features: Peninsula There’s a lot of action, everything seems very generic.

It’s only fair that you choose Train to Busan features nickname, instead of just calling him Train to Busan 2. The sequel really feels like an unrelated zombie script that was repurposed and Peninsula depends on cliché characters and dramawith the excessive use of CGI robbing the action of its impact. If the film didn’t have the weight of following one of the best zombie films ever made, it might have been dismissed as a fun but inessential action/horror romp; like a Train to Busan sequel with no direct connection to the original, is a total mess.

The film attempted something similar to Cloverfield franchise, with each entry taking place in the same world but following a new story and set of characters. It’s a spiritual sequel in that sense, with the four-year gap between the events of the original and Peninsula allowing the audience to see what happened to South Korea after the zombie outbreak. It’s an interesting setup, to be sure – but one that results in a very familiar zombie adventure.

The Prequel to Training for Busan Is Much Better Than the Sequel

Seoul Station is perfect for fans of the train to Busan

Those who liked Train to Busan You may not be aware that it also has an acclaimed prequel. While animated spinoffs can vary greatly in quality, Seoul Station is an incredible prequel that reveals how the outbreak spread. Instead of being a high-octane, fast-moving zombie movie, the prequel is a dark character study packed with social commentary as the lower echelons of society begin to feel the effects of the outbreak.

Once again, Yeon Sang-ho returned to writing and directing, and Seoul Station feel much more part Train to Busan than its live-action sequel has already done. The prequel has a lot on its mind about South Korean society and its treatment of the homeless, and the downbeat ending only reinforces its themes. Incredibly, Seoul Station is at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, although it should be noted that it’s not as action-packed or bombastic a ride as Train to Busan.

Train to Busan Deserved a Better Sequel Than Peninsula

Maybe Train to Busan 3 can redeem the sequel

Again, the problem with Peninsula it’s just that it just doesn’t feel like a true sequel. It was a mistake to try to recover the success of the first entry, which was such a well-crafted work that it was not necessary to make a sequel. There has been talk of a potential Train to Busan 3 continuing to expand the series, but it appears the disappointment the second film caused has nixed those plans. James Wan has also been tapped to produce an American remake called The last train to New York.

Since then, news about this remake has been quiet. Maybe it’s better that there are no more Train to Busan films happen, which will allow the original and Seoul Station to remain great companion pieces. If a third film goes into production, it should recapture the same mix of claustrophobic intensity with flawed, relatable protagonists. like the first film. Perhaps bringing back Kim Su-an as an older Soo-an would also help make the next film feel closer to the spirit of the first.

Source: Rotten tomatoes, The Numbers, Rotten tomatoes