The Roundup: No Way Out

This is just siccccck! Forget John Wick, forget Equalizer, forget James Bond, forget Jason Borne or whichever action movie Hollywood has produced ever, this right here is the ish! Whaaat? I am going back to watch the previous edition just because I enjoyed this one so much.

I can't think of what not to like about this franchise. Yes, I heard people argue that Don Lee should pick on guys his size and that the villains are usually too weak compared to his size and strength. To an extent I understand and would certainly love to see him take on someone equally strong. But watching him kick these weaklings butts works because even though the villains are not as physically as strong, they are unbelievably wicked and you so badly want someone to kick their butt and Don Lee does that so nicely.

Aside that, the cinematography is spot on. The fight scenes are just incredible. The humor too is out of this world. This is the kind of movie that gets you laughing but demands your full respect when things get serious.

I guess the only questioning bit is why the villians don't use guns but choose to use bats, knives and swords. Maybe it's a cultural thing. But then again, I've seen other Korean movies where they used lots of guns. I'll like to see how Don Lee handles such a scenario.

This is a super fun, high action police thriller sequel to the highly successful "Roundup" series. Ma Dong-Seok, or Don Lee, leads a cast of Lorean Police Detectives willing to use unconventional methodologies to solve their cases. The story is about a corrupt Korean police element working with the Japanese Yakuza on an international drug ring to distribute a new drug. There are elements of cross and double cross and it is very watchable. It is funny in a sarcastic way, but at its core, a police action film, like lethal Weapon. I much prefer the Korean with English subtitles to the Dubbed. Looking forward to next installment.

The third film in the Crime City series, Don Lee gets to throw his knockout punches non-stop while the all predictable story takes a backseat. When Detective Ma Seok-do and his team get a murder case to solve which leads them to an illegal drug Hiper. They chase the lead to the supplier of the drug and even confiscate the drugs. This opens up the mystery involving corrupt cops and a rival Yakuza gang trying to get their hands on the confiscated drugs. How Seok-do punches his way out through the baddies forms the story.

The story is a simple one and with the reveal of the villain early on, there is barely any suspense left. The team cop however still succeed to entertain with their humor though it's getting lesser with each film. As the team, conveniently choses to arrive late to the scene, it gives Don Lee enough time to shine. With non-stop action, the story does move in a brisk pace. Considering the baddies are no match to the main lead, the fights are obviously one sided throughout. It takes a step down compared to the previous film and I hope the fourth film offers better balance.

Ma Dong-Seok, played as usual by Don Lee is back for a third time in - what I think will be the final outing for the character - in this third film of the trilogy of South Korean films. Don Lee is an actor I quite enjoy watching in his film releases but this outing was not worth the effort; it was just pushed out to cash in on the success of the previous two films, The Outlaw and The Roundup.

Some of the acting by 2 or 3 of the cast is not too bad but in general its just bunch of dim witted cops and even more dim witted gangsters; of both Korean thugs and Japanese Yakuza thugs. If you enjoy this type of Don Lee film, of mindless violence and viciousness, then you will be pleased with what you see. But if your looking for a stronger dramatically and well acted story etc, you will not find it within the scenes of this poor excuse.

I still feel Don Lee is an underrated action star in the west, and I hope Hollywood takes notice of him and starts making some English action films with him, and I don't mean underutilizing his action and comedy talents like they did in Eternals. It would be nice to see Lee in a crime-action film without having to read subtitles and miss most of the fun trying to read.

And as per usual, he did not disappoint in this film. The action and comedy was great, but I found both elements lacking in this film compared to The Outlaws that I had rated a 9/10, and the previous The Roundup I had rated a perfect 10/10. The story in this one has a few good twists, but was still generic and cliched compared to the first two films. There wasn't as much humor in this film as there was in the two previous ones either. Still, lots of action and a fun and entertaining watch, and a well deserved 8/10 for this one from me.