OldBoy Reviews

Blew me away

I heard about this film out of the blue by listening to Mark Kermode talk about it. After that a few other people talked about it and one of the main praises for the film was the fight scenes. They were great but not realistic. Having said that the way it was shot was brillaint and i think the corridor fight scene was done all in one shot, i don't remember their being an edit. But it's the bizarre story that is best of all. The ending was obvious 3/4 of the way through so seemed dragged out when the guy finaly gives his reason for it all. But over all it was great and haven't seen anything like it before. Definatly in the top 3 films of 2004 of what i've seen.

If South Korea has anymore films like that, then i've been missing out and especialy you Tarintino fans. So i suggest you Tarintino lovers watch this film if you want to see gruesome torture. And if you want to know what i'm getting at, a guy having his ear cut off in Reservoir Dogs is soft compared to what happens in the OldBoy. This film is not for everyone. But if you seek originality and like being suprised by how far violence can go then you'll love this film. Not forgetting though that the best part of this film is how it gets the viewer to question if revenge is worth seeking.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Different.....

A very powerful tale about a man (Dae-Su) who is kidnapped and incarcerated for fifteen years. On his release a stranger hands him a wad of money and a mobile phone. He soon meets a girl who agrees to help him find out who and why he was imprisoned. However, his kidnapper still has plans for him. In order to find his captors, Dae-Su has to look back at his own past and dig out a few skeletons.

Its a haunting piece of redemption and hatred that reflects just how depraved the human psyche can be.

Movie of the Year!

I am rubbish when it comes to films with subtitles. But I had heard so much about this Korean film, I was prepared to make an effort. There was no effort involved, I was captivated from beginning to end, I dont want to make comparisons with Tarantino because that would do Oldboy a disservice. Stylish, and original, this film manages to be edge of the seat entertainment, but funny and desparately moving at the same time.

The music score is superb, worth the purchase of the sountrack ( I am off to buy it tomorrow). Ok then, the plot: this bloke gets imprisoned. Why, or by who, or where he is imprisoned, is a mystery to him and the audience. Then he is released after 15 years and has to find out why. Just watch this. Its the best thing I have seen in ages and has gone straight in to my all time top 10. Ever! I think it will stay there. Watch this, and then have fun as I did casting the horribly inevitable Hollywood remake. Keanu in the lead then? Perish the thought!

its got subtitles

didn't watch as was not aware it was subtitled

?????????

never even watched it......after first few mins i knew i would hate it

Big emotional impact

I was pleasantly surprised with the film, I’ve seen it twice in the cinema and I could probably watch it again. It’s not just the impact of the story what is worthwhile, it’s also the way the camera works, the photography, the acting, the action…

It’s one of those masterpieces that remind us what good cinema is all about.

Oddboy

I was bought this a a bday present last year & didn't know what to expect. This is one of the strangest films I have ever seen, it is brutal, shocking, disgusting, captivating, intriguing all at the same time. I don't think I have ever come across such an original plot line before, even though the main character is a scum bag with no redeeming features whatsoever you feel empathy for his plight & are as desperate as him to find out whats going on. This film will turn off a lot of people but if you fancy something different to the usual norm keep it running.

[Highly rated reviewer]

don't do it

truely awful,boring,sleep inducing tosh!!!

Can you read?

Are you the kind of person that goes abroad and complains about foreign food? If so, then you are probably the kind of person that rents a Korean film and then complains about the subtitles. So please, anyone that is not akin to an American red neck should see this film. It has a complex and violent storyline that keeps you gripped to the shoking climax of the film.

This film also teaches all single men to maybe date women as close to there own age as possible; just in case.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Puts the extreme back into Asian Extreme

What a film.

Dark, violent and harrowing, but also moving and thought-provoking. Choi Min-sik should have been oscar nominated; that squid scene is for real!

The film had me on the edge of my seat right up until the horrifying, jaw-dropping conclusion.

Not for the faint hearted - this film is even bleaker than Sympathy For Mr Vengeance - but arguably the best Asian film of the decade so far.