This review may contain spoilers
I usually don't write reviews but I'll have to for this movie. It doesn't have the attention it deserves. I was in tears after finishing the movie and went to TikTok to look for edits but there were no edits(I'll have to edit this movie myself cause the editors are asleep... literally) the acting was amazing and the story was awesome. I've seen someone say that the escape scene was stupid but I feel the person didn't get the context of the scene. The scene pretty much just shows how when faced with calamaties will choose to save themselves without caring about other people's lives. It shows basic human nature. This movie is definitely worth watching. I'm going to go make tons of edits and Pinterest pins so that this movie gets the attention it deserves. I enjoyed this movie a lot and I hope it gets the recognition it deserves Was this review helpful to you?
🎥 Tzu-Hsuan Hung's Direction
Hung utilizes the confined space of the train with impressive technical mastery. His direction focuses on:
Close-Space Fight Choreography: The action scenes in the aisles and between the seats are choreographed to appear claustrophobic and brutal.
Real-Time Tension: The film uses time almost literally, increasing the viewer's anxiety as the clock ticks.
Visual Aesthetics: There is a clever use of emergency lights and shadows, giving the train a feeling of a moving "metal prison".
🎭 Plot and Characters
The film stars Lin Po-hung and Wang Po-chieh.
The dynamic between the protagonists is what anchors the film. One of them plays a police officer (or security guard) who must deal not only with the terrorists, but also with the growing panic of the civilian passengers.
Unlike a pure action film, Hung dedicates time to showing the moral dilemmas of those on board: Who should be saved first? How to maintain humanity under extreme pressure?
⚖️ Verdict
"The 96 Minute" is often compared to Train to Busan (for its train setting) and Speed. It's a technically flawless film that showcases the maturation of Taiwanese genre cinema. If you enjoy thrillers where the environment is as dangerous a character as the villain, this film is a must-see.
Note: The film was a landmark for using the largest studio-built train set in Taiwanese film history, guaranteeing a realism that CGI often fails to deliver.
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