Public Enemy on DVD (2002)

Laurie from East Grinstead, England , 04/06/2004

This was one movie that never seemed to end. It lasts well over two and a quarter hours, and it is not really worth staying the distance. This Korean film was fairly violent, but also tried to be humourous, much of which was very juvenile and at odds with the subject matter. If you have a long evening in front of you, rent this one, but you will be missing very little if you give it a miss.

  8 out of 9 people found this review helpful

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NankerPhelge from High Holborn , 15/03/2005

Firstly, and most importantly, this film is fantastic. A straightforward, brilliantly crafted, cop versus killer thriller that is as funny as it is vicious. There’s no whodunit set-up, no big twists at the end and no script tricks to keep you guessing, because what you have, and all you need, in Public Enemy is a dynamic story filled with powerful performances that charge the story recklessly towards a crunching kick-ass finale.

Bottom of the shop cop, Kang, is on the wrong side of an internal affairs enquiry that does little to help him with his explosive temper and lack of success on the job. Successful businessman Kyu-hwan has an even deadlier temperament, despite an outward appearance that suggests the opposite, and when he becomes Kang’s chief suspect in a double murder they go head to head in a battle of wills that only two stubborn angry men would have the passion for.

Hilarious in parts, very gory in others, there is little to doubt about this piece of film-making that goes a long way to proving that a straight forward, well acted cinematic journey doesn’t have to be full of concepts bigger than the story itself in order to be intelligent and entertaining.

  7 out of 7 people found this review helpful

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Suzanne#39 from GRANTOWN ON SPEY , 19/10/2004

This is an absolutely rivetting Korean film. Here is another example as to why Korean cinema has become very popular recently. I had no problems with the subtitles. I am used to watching Asian films so reading subtitles and watching the film at the same time comes second nature to me. They did not detract from my enjoyment of the film; they merely increased it. As with most Asian films, Public Enemy does not compare with action/gangster/criminal films people see in the West. A murder has been committed and the viewer knows what's happened and who did it. So now it's up to the police officer to find him. But it's not as straight-forward as that. Oh, no sireee. But, I'm not going to give you a synopsis. You have to see it for yourself. Lee Song-jae plays the police officer and his performance is simply tour de force. He is a mixture of Columbo meets Charles Bronson meets South Korea. Brilliant stuff. And for those people out there who like to look at Asian men, well, there's an interesting shower scene for you. The DVD also comes with Deleted Scenes and Making of. All the extras come with subtitles so you don't miss out.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

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John Florence from United Kingdom , 07/09/2004

Kang Woo-Seo , serves up a great feast of suspense, shock, comedy and bravado.

Its well known about the rise of eastern cinema, and we don't mean bollywood, but Korea is a shade different from the frenetic Japanese films and the hard edged Chinese cinema. Korean productions are often a shade more subtle and deep.

This film offers much to those who want to watch and think, theres lots there to enjoy and plenty of pace.

Highly recommended, alternates from Korea are Shiri and Friends.

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

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