Oldboy
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Movie Reviews of Oldboy
Movie Review: Oldboy Review
Summary: 5 Stars
Straight to the point:
I loved this movie. I recommend it to everyone. It has an English language track for the film and English subtitles for all the special features including director commentary.
People should not expect elaborate improbable martial arts scenes, choreographed gun fights, excessive gore, explosions, car chases, and an expected ending.
Do expect plot twists, character development, great visuals, brutality, violence, moral dilemmas, great acting, and psychological drama.
This is a violent revenge movie, but doesn't follow the main stream revenge movie plot.
The message of the movie is that revenge never satisfies anyone. This seems to be the message of all the few Asian revenge themed movies I've seen. So, don't watch it if you are not a fan of these type of Asian movies.
What made me want to see Oldboy:
I first bought Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. I then discovered that Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance was the first in vengeance trilogy movies by director Park Chanwook. With Oldboy being the second and Lady Vengeance being the third.
I loved Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. It was the first Asian drama movie I saw that wasn't about martial arts experts, renegade cops, rival gangs, crime drama, or not starring your typical action anti-hero that goes around crashing cars into helicopters. Like Oldboy, that movie had violence committed by real people in realistic ways.
In the preview trailer for Oldboy, I saw that it had more stylized violence, but not the over the top unrealistic fights or over kill gun fights of other Asian action movies.
I won't give away the movie, but I will tell you what about the Oldboy trailer made me watch it.
Basic plot as told by Oldboy trailer: A man is for apparently no reason, kidnapped, locked up for 15 years in isolation, and then released. The man then has 5 days to find out why this happened to him and who did it.
To me and most people Oldboy would seem like the movie is only about the locked up man's quest for revenge.
This might be considered a spoilers:
The truth is that the kidnapping, locking up for 15 years, and then releasing of seemingly normal man is actually part of another man's own masterminded revenge plot against the man seeking revenge on him.
Bad plot point in Oldboy:
Half way through the movie some viewers, like myself, after finding out why the 'bad guy' wants revenge on the 'good guy' he locked up, might figure out what the villain's revenge on the hero is going be. But, knowing this didn't prepare me for how the true revenge was handled at the end.
DVD Extras:
All deleted scenes were great with great subtitled commentary from the director.
The director interview gave informative insight on the director's view on his movies.
The film's subtitled audio commentary from the film's director and cinematographer is very disappointing.
I could only tolerate watching about 20 minutes of the commentary.
The two mostly spoke about the lighting, camera work, locations, and the entire production side of the movie. They didn't speak at all about the creative side of the movie. They spoke very little about the acting. The director didn't give any insight on his message or the meaning behind the scenes being shown. For example, a scene has a man freaking out because he thinks he's covered in ants, they comment on what it took to film the scene. I stopped watching after 20 minutes of them talking about green lighting and film bleaching.
Movie Review: Genius With A Vengeance
Summary: 5 Stars
Written By: Lisa Fore
© Dystopia Magazine | Asian Edition | June 2007
"Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone."
After getting busted for being drunk and extremely disorderly, rumpled businessman Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) gets angrier and angrier as he sits at a station waiting for the police to release him because he has to go home--it's his little girl's birthday. Getting nowhere with the standard inebriated outbursts and tantrums, he tries to flip on the charm and show the police he's a nice guy (in a fantastic set of hysterical cut shots): a proud papa--shoving pictures of his daughter at the cops; an entertainer -- dancing and singing while wearing a small set of angel wings he bought as a birthday present for his little angel; and finally as a regular Joe--by flirting with a younger girl (who also happens to be sitting right next to her boyfriend). It's still a no-go with the cops however, until Dae-su's best friend, Joo-Hwan, comes to bail him out. While his friend apologizes profusely to the police, Oh Dae-su waits (quietly--to everyone's surprise I'm sure), until he does the regional equivalent of giving the cops the middle finger and scrambles from the station.
We find him in a phone booth calling his daughter to apologize for being late, and he suddenly puts his friend on the phone (looking to avoid a screaming wife who's bound to jump on any second--well maybe in Asia it's considered `concerned nagging') and steps out of the phone booth.
It becomes the biggest mistake of Dae-su's life.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Oldboy is a true rarity. While it's the second film that ever made me restart the DVD immediately after the final credits (Usual Suspects being the first), it's the first to make me do it four times in a row.(When it's that good, I tend to get "a tad" obsessive-compulsive.)
This three act thriller is a total descent into the power of human will, that while full of raging action is even more horrific than any giant deity flailing a chainsaw through ridiculous sequels or CGI boogeyman (or woman or child) because this is the ultimate psychological game, and for all of it's intricate details, Oldboy is actually plausible...with the right kind of connections and patience.
The screenplay is brilliant, with dialogue that's actually practical and informative---no weak red herrings or filler chat-chat here; the direction and cinematography are phenomenal, smooth and (here's another rare part) ultimately and intimately involving---Park brings the audience Dae-su's ordeal with moments of claustrophobia and even the relief of space (I actually caught myself inhaling deeply once he was released) that can't help but bring us right into his head, and naturally sympathize completely with his plans of revenge.
The extent of his captor's cruelty and the purity of Dae-su's determination for absolution are truly astounding. I also definitely recommend watching it in it's native language (Korean) with subtitles, even though it has the option of English audio; Choi's tone and passion put the final stamp of perfection on the entire film. If you aren't emotionally exhausted by Choi's magnificent performance, then check your pulse, cuz the man has got serious game.
Sir Anthony Hopkins. Robert De Niro. Al Pacino. Choi Min-sik.
Oh yeah people, he's easily sits among the greatest in the world.
Oldboy is an absolute masterpiece: psychologically brutal, darkly hilarious, beautifully presented and completely disturbing---results only possible by those who understand true human frailty and drive.
I became a fan of Choi Min-sik and Park Chan-wook after the first run--they totally broke my mind and I absolutely love them for it.
Movie Review: Oldboy - Crime Drama, Thriller, Horror - Whatever Category, This Movie Is Great
Summary: 5 Stars
Oldboy is a movie that defies classification. This movie could easily be sliced and diced into three or four genres and be in the upper echelon of any of them. In fact, even writing a review of this movie is a challenge. Basic plot synopses will not give you a sense of how original and well made this movie is. This is the rare gem; you can either watch it simply for enjoyment, or peel back the layers like an onion and study each one.
There are a few warnings however. This film is not for the squeamish. After lulling you in with some slow segments, the movie can turn very violent and gruesome in an instant. The film also touches upon some controversial topics, so it is not for the judgmental or the easily offended. An important aspect to remember when watching this movie is that many of the social norms of Korean culture, and Asian culture in general, are so different from our own that it may be hard for some people to understand why characters make the choices they do. If you are open-minded and study the film carefully, there is a lot of depth and meaning in that too.
The movie really occurs in several unique sections that are tied together at the end. The basic formula has been described as a "revenge thriller" but the story changes in such a way to make that category inadequate.
Dae-Su (Min-Sik Choi) is an unfortunate man who gets drunk and kidnapped. He is held captive in a cheap motel room for a very long time, with no real understanding of who is holding him or why. All attempts to escape or find out why he is there result in nothing.
The story then takes a turn as Dae su is released under mysterious circumstances. He vows revenge against his captors.
Dae Su seems to have a loose grip on reality after years of captivity and we see him slip further into madness as he seeks his tormentors. As we follow his search for his captors and his difficult integration back into society, small clues start to emerge about Dae Su's past and who might have been behind his imprisonment. There is more than just one twist to the story, and each plot element adds a new layer.
He befriends a woman in a sushi bar and they develop a quick relationship. As all the plot elements collide, we see that nobody in the story is exactly who we think they are.
The end results in a very thought-provoking dilemma which questions the fundamental nature of many of life's basic human relationships. Love, hate, revenge; they are all put under the microscope in this movie.
The film is shot beautifully and has many beautiful scenes. Colors and shadows are used to create and foreshadow emotion.
The DVD extras include standard fare, such as interviews, deleted scenes, trailers and a commentary track.
Conclusion
This movie is a must-see if you enjoy psychological horror, as long as you can set aside your squeamishness. If you like psychological drama, horror, or thrillers this may be the best movie you've seen recently in any of those categories. Watch it with an open mind and avoid plot spoilers. Once you've seen it, you'll probably want to see it again.
Enjoy.
Movie Review: Not the compelling human tale usually taunted by others
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the best edited movies I have seen yet. The story flows and hits all the taboos without skipping a beat. Oldboy is a story about gnawing revenge and disaster-prone love, and tragedy. But it is deep, dark and weird. The story is not for the timid and at times pushed the envelope just a wee bit too much - even for me. However, it marks its director Park as arguably one of the more innovative coming out of Korea.
Oh Dae-su (Min-sik Choi), is a model of bourgeois perfection: a young married man, complete young daughter and office job. One evening he is mysteriously kidnapped and incarcerated in a hotel with only a television to keep him sane. In this time he is drugged so his captors (who are note revealed) can clean up the room and check on him. Approximately 15 years go by before Oh Dae-su is finally released. Like the Count of Monte Cristo he starts planning his revenge. Before he can even move his enigmatic captor gets in touch with him, prodding Oh Dae-su to discover his identity and the motivation behind the incarceration. Oldboy begins with a spiraling downward through the 15 years that Oh Dae-su is cooped up in the hotel room. We find him undergoing rigorous physical training. We catch Oh Dae-su frantically trying to retain a grip on his sanity. In those 15 years Oh Dae-su learns that someone has killed his wife. He ponders and plots waiting for the day he will be released. This Kafkaesque world of assumed guilt builds up as we see strange yet familiar world.
Park runs a compelling first half where Oh Dae-su starts his investigation into the location of his "prison" and to find out who was behind this - much less to figure out the motivation for the same. His methods of investigation are neatly contrasted, using his feel for the dumplings fed to him. Understandably, Oh Dae-su trusts no one. He slowly (and dangerously) attaches himself emotionally and physically to Mi-Do. The first hour concludes with a barrage of violent scenes that are characteristic of a new and chic style of cinema called "Asian Extreme." One wonders about the why, much less than pondering the how (cinematography). It's in the latter part of Oldboy, Park moves into more distressing territory. Oh Dae-su's tormentor shows himself to be Woo-jin Lee (Ji-tae Yu). Woo-jin Lee is a former schoolmate who blames Oh Dae-su for a series of past events. The imprisonment, we soon discover, was part of Woo-jin Lee's elaborate plants to extract revenge. It is a twisted tale, no doubt. However, Park brings amazing range and sensitivity to Oldboy. The thing is, we don't to the end, predictably, until we witness yet more violence. No spoilers allowed, so I won't go into it here... you need to see the movie yourself to figure it all out. Oldboy is not the compelling human tale usually taunted by other reviewers. That it is well written is beyond a doubt. Les Miserables it is not. It is a powerful story and no doubt will be the standard of its genre for a long time.
Miguel Llora
Movie Review: Do I deserve life?
Summary: 5 Stars
Some films just do not allow themselves to fall into generalizations and these films pose conundrums when one tries to explain them. I've owned _Old Boy_ for a number of months now, but for some reason or another I had been able to make myself sit down and watch the film. For some reason I thought it was a horror film and being that I generally do not care for horror films I let this one sit on the sidelines while I watched other films. However, I was finally inspired to watch this film when my Korean office partner told me how much she enjoyed the film, been amazed by Choi Min Sik's acting, and how long the film stuck in her head after watching it. Trusting my friend's taste in film, last night I finally settled down to watch the film and similar to my reaction with other films that I had underestimated, I wondered: Why the heck had I had not watched this film earlier?
The film begins with a drunken Oh Daesu, Choi Min Sik, sitting in the police office. He is a noisy drunk heaping abuse on the police officers and constantly trying to urinate on the floor. He tells the police to let him go because it is his daughter' birthday, but when his pleas fall on death ears, he becomes even more recalcitrant to remain calm in the police office. Eventually Daesu's friend comes to pick up his inebriated friend. However, while talking to Daesu's daughter on the phone, the friend notices that Daesu is missing.
Daesu finds himself imprisoned in a room that resembles a cheap motel room. Fed a diet of dumplings and with a television as his only companion, Daesu will live for fifteen years inside of that small room. Occupying his time watching television, punching the walls, writing the names of all who might have had him imprisoned in that room, watching television, and carving a hole in the wall with a metal chopstick, Daesu grows older his youth withered away within that room. However, one day, he finds himself on top of a building finally free to hunt the individual who had imprisoned him. Daesu eventually makes a new friend in the personage of the young sushi chef Mido, Gang Hye Jeong, who for some reason seems to fall for Daesu as he consumes a live squid, who accompanies him on his search for the individual who ruined his life.
This is an extraordinary film. Choi Min Sik's acting is top notch and one can really feel his anger and frustration inside of his prison. I won't go into details here, but his performance during the final minutes of the film must be witnessed to be believed. The music is grand and the special effects are nicely done. The ant poking through Daesu's skin is very creepy.