Apocalyptic Auto-Pilot: Peninsula (2020) Film Review

https://www.cosmo.ph/eninsula-film-posters

Isn’t it peculiar how the mere presence of an American character or the sound of English dialogue can inject an unwelcome dose of awkwardness into a scene? A strange cinematic quirk, indeed.

This time around, the familiar yet fertile ground of a confined space teeming with the undead serves as the backdrop. However, the writers deserve a nod for ingeniously escalating the human survival game. Gone are the days of perpetual screaming; instead, we witness hardened survivors forming resourceful teams and devising innovative methods to combat the relentless zombie hordes. Intriguing developments are afoot, but fear not, spoilerphobes, my lips are sealed.

While “Peninsula” doesn’t quite reach the exhilarating heights of “Train to Busan,” it thankfully avoids the chaotic depths of “World War Z.” A comfortable middle ground, if you will.

The film does veer into overly sentimental territory towards its conclusion, a touch too much melodrama for my taste. However, it compensates for its dramatic shortcomings by unleashing extended sequences of CGI-fueled action, including adrenaline-pumping nighttime car chases and a veritable tsunami of zombie gore. Imagine a bizarre cocktail of “I Am Legend,” “Mad Max,” and the “Fast & Furious” franchise, resulting in a nonsensical yet undeniably entertaining joyride. Just don’t expect the razor-sharp precision of its predecessor. It’s “Fast and Furious,” minus the predictable “But first, we need fast cars” line, and plus a ravenous undead contingent.

Interestingly, director Yeon Sang-ho seems hesitant to fully embrace the B-movie spirit, occasionally injecting psychological elements that, unfortunately, tend to decelerate the narrative momentum.

Paradoxically, “Peninsula” struggles to deliver characters that truly resonate or elicit genuine empathy. It often feels like a rushed and somewhat superficial sequel, perhaps engineered to appeal to a broader audience.

It’s worth noting that Yeon Sang-ho has now crafted three horror films within this franchise, and remarkably, this discerning viewer has enjoyed them all. A minor miracle in the realm of zombie cinema!

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브라보, my friend.

Rating: 6.38/10

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