Seoul Station · review
Okay, where do I start with this? First of all, it's not really as bad as you would think seeing as the score is nothing more than a mediocre one - however, it's live-action sequel counterpart is better by lightyears. The story itself is not very consistent and I personally couldn't find any meaning or red thread in it - hence, I couldn't find as much enjoyment as I otherwise probably would. If you've watched or are planning to watch the live-action "Train to Busan", this is by no means an important part of understanding and enjoying the story. In fact, this doesn't really explain anythingin regards to the events in the live-action sequel. What I expected was a story leading up to exactly what caused the outbreak, but I never got that. In short, it's no use watching this film if you're expecting a solution or explanation as to why the events in "Train to Busan" occured.
The art is a very subjective matter so it's not fair of me to say that the movie became "less good" because of the artstyle. However, I personally found that my enjoyment was quickly reduced when I was introduced to the artstyle as it is not my personal prefference. If you can pull of 3DCG then please do make a series or movie depicting the actions and real life-like suspense 3D animation can bring forth. This film however, did not succeed in that as the art fell flat along with the suspense and storyline. When utilizing 3D animation, I expect them to do it to it's fullest - and by that I mean not just using it as an easier mean of animating characters but also utilizing it's ability to beef up the perspectives and movements of the so-called "camera". If that's not used, I don't see the point of using 3DCG even if it does make animation alot easier if you know what you're doing. In fact, I personally find it even more useless if the project is even made when you don't have the guts to animate it properly.
The sound was nothing more than mediocre. I can't even remember the music at the top of my head as I usually do. I know that plot-heavy movies and series doesn't put as much effort into creating the musical atmosphere as other projects but it still does lift the suspense and deepens the action. So I can't really understand why they didn't use that element. It would've certainly made my experience better.
The characters were fairly built with some surprises hidden in them - thanks to that my attention deepened towards the ending. But I would've appreciated if some of the characters (I'm looking at you, main character) weren't so annoying, irrational and just plain boring. In an emergency situation, like a zombie apocalypse for example, you wouldn't think rationally, would you? I know that, but the main character seriously took that irrationallity way to far. She did not make any effort to find the ones looking for her but did cry and scream at them to find her as she just escaped farther and farther away. She did have to escape if she didn't want to be killed, but the fact that she blamed the others for her misfortune in running away was the icing on the cake for her annoyance.
So did I enjoy it? At some points. Do I recommend it? Not really, at least not if you're looking for an explanation to the live-action film. So overall, with all my points in mind, I'd give this a 7 since it did peak my interest at some points.