 Other
Directors can't touch this film,
It's Hammer Time ...
Review:
Allen F.
Old
Boy is the best Korean Cult Cinema film I have ever
seen. It will be hard to beat the action, content and
direction of this highly acclaimed Cannes fest winner.
The Import DVD is immaculate and has a awesome menu
design as well. This film is a must see movie and the
best revenge oriented flick I have ever seen. Old Boy
makes US films like Death Wish seem like a casual walk
in the park. I am very impressed with the look and feel
of the entire film and the cinematography is top notch.
Park Chan-Woo recently had the short "Cut"
on the Three.. Extremes film that featured Park directing
the short that was accompanied by shorts by Takashi
Miike and Fruit Chan. Cut was the most extreme of the
Three.. Extremes and that DVD is recommended for his
segment as well as the other two. Old Boy is the second
film in a series of revenge films by Park, the first
film being "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" and
the third film will be entitled "Sympathy for Lady
Vengeance" I have recently read at the newsstand.
The
content of Old Boy is not for all viewers so be forewarned.
This is not a revenge flick of the Hollywood vein. This
is a revenge flick Asian Cult style. We have things
like Imprisonment (15 years), squid Devourment, claw
hammer fighting, tooth pulling, extreme bloodshed, and
some content that's even more extreme, but I do not
want to spoil any plot twists.
The
hammer in the hall scene lasts around 2.5 - 3 min's
and was a single shot simply put, Amazing film work.
The
synopsis is that Old Boy Dae-Su Oh gets imprisoned for
15 years not knowing why and upon his release must find
out why in the first place and by whom his captors were.
The film follows Dae-Su Oh and his exploits while imprisoned
and after his sudden release. Why was he jailed in a
private apartment jail cell for so many years. The insanity
sets in as we see in the film and can he ever revert
back to the good ole' hard working semi drunken guy
he once was or will he forever be transformed into the
revenge obsessed maniac he has become? On the outside
after release Old Boy meets and teams up with a cute
girl from a sushi shop and she agrees to help him in
his quest for answers and revenge. This is a top rate
film and according to rumors may be remade in the USA.
The Korean film will not be beat and this film is a
masterpiece by Park. Old Boy also has its moments of
extemely black/dark humor. Not a horror film but it
most definitely fits into Kyonsi's coverage of extreme
and more obscure Asian films.
My
Quote:
A cinematic roller coaster ride thru a dark
world of revenge and ultraviolence - Allen Fry at www.kyonsi.com
Grade:
A++
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