Well Go USA released a 4K Blu-ray edition of Korean sci-fi thriller Train to Busan (2016) on Nov. 29, 2022. The 4k disc follows the release of its sequel, Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula (2020), which dropped on 4K Blu-ray along with 1080p Blu-ray in November of 2020. In essence, we waited 6 years for the 4k version of the film. But, the 4k Blu-ray of Train to Busan was worth the wait.
A little bit slower than its sequel, Train to Busan is a dramatic thriller that paces itself for a big payoff at the end. It’s a bit cliché in some respects (what zombie film isn’t) but twists in the story arc and character development are good enough to be emotionally invested in most characters (with the exception of the pregnant woman, Seong-kyeong, who we never seem to connect with, maybe due to the lack of lines). The climactic ending is one you won’t want to miss with some incredible action shots that would wow even the most critical action film fanatic.
Video
Train to Busan is presented in 2160p 4K with 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR. The image is very sharp with a wide range of values from the expanded color range. The dark levels provide good contrast without losing detail. A very dark tunnel scene at the end of the film where you would expect to find excessive grain handles the lack of light with a slightly brighter color grade than other scenes, but redeems itself with a gorgeous silhouette view from the other side.
The bitrates were sort of erratic on this 4K disc, which is something we don’t ordinarily see. The rates jumped from 25Mbps to 70Mbps in the same scene, whereas other releases may be more consistent during daylight, interior, or nighttime scenes. Nevertheless, the image did not suffer from these high peaks and low valleys in the image data stream.
The milky eyes of the zombies, an indication a human has turned, were done particularly well in Train to Busan, as is the blood and bite marks that render in realistic color with Dolby Vision on HDR TVs. The special effects in the film are impressive, as is the color grading that seems to give the movie it’s own particular visual style.
Audio
Korean audio is offered in Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 channels. Or, you can opt to hear the film with English dubs in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1.
Surround sound effects are excellent in this film. Screams can be heard in side and rear channels, as well as the chilling music score that travels spatially as if an impending storm you can’t escape from. The zombies in the train are especially creepy when they attack from all angles. There is a wall of glass that breaks at 49 minutes and 30 seconds that seems to hit all channels as if you were right there. The train crash at 1 hour and 32 minutes has some insane subwoofer action that feels more immersive than it should. Overall, this is an excellent Atmos track that is deserving of a top score.
Bonus Features
Included on the Blu-ray only, there are 13 minutes of behind-the-scenes extras, a theatrical trailer, and the 4-minute, 35-second featurette “That’s a Wrap.” The two bonus features are very similar. What you get are ungraded takes of scenes that show you what it was like to be part of the making of the film.
Summary
Train to Busan is a really good 4K/Dolby Vision presentation with some excellent Atmos surround effects. The 118-minute film has a dramatic build-up and rewarding ending that’s hard to forget. For anyone with a home theater system, or any fan of the zombie film genre, Train to Busan is a must-have for your library.
Scores
Movie
4/5
Video
4/5
Audio
5/5
Bonus Material
3/5
