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!

[Highly rated reviewer]

Thanks HMV!!!

Hiya folks. I'm thanking HMV because I knew nothing about this film until a week ago when I saw it in a stand titled 'world cinema'.

Now that wouldn't normally hold my attention for long, however it was displayed next to 'City of God' which I've had the pleasure of seeing. Being a little daft sometimes, I didn't cotten on to the fact that it was a subtitled film like City of God, or the fact that it was Korean! I just saw it displayed next to a very worthy film so thought it might be worth a try.

If I thought it was a subtitled Korean film, I don't think I would have bothered... I'm glad I'm a little dumb sometimes... best £5.99 I've spent for a long time, even a double disc!

The moral? If you normally would not bother with a subtitled film, but like a gripping, intense, action packed film.... try Oldboy (City of God as well hehe).

There should be two scenes that stay in the memories of most people. I wont spoil it by explaining these scenes... however,these scenes are made true by what makes the whole of the film a joy... the MUSIC, the ACTING, the DIRECTION and the MORAL ISSUES it reveals.

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.