Jopog manura 3

When I watched this movie, I expected a continuation from the 2nd movie, not having previously read that Eun-Kyung Shin was either pregnant or replaced. As the other commenter noted, this film was/may have been been bought out by Miramax. This movie was good, but I expected the story to connect to the 2nd at some point, and left me puzzled. After an hour and a half, I realized that something was wrong. No Eun-Kyung Shin, no Zhang Ziyi. This movie could have been named something else entirely. Instead it is a totally different movie loosely based on gangsters, a strong female lead that can kick butt, and a goofy guy. I gave it a 6/10.

This was better than I expected, especially for a 3rd installment. I am a little biased because I lived in Hong Kong for several years and speak Cantonese. I'm not going to recap the show because there are enough reviews here that do that.

While I liked Shu Qi's performance, for me, the translators steal the show, especially the female translator, Hyun Young. I did have a little trouble buying into the main romance, I just didn't see as much chemistry between them as I would expect, but there was enough it didn't detract from the show. Most of the Korean actors intentionally come across as buffoons which was a little too cartoonish, but very common in Asian shows.

This had a good balance of action with comedy, which I enjoy. Now I'll have to watch the first two, and I will try and withhold judgment even though I've already read they don't have much comedy.

Let me just say that I was very happy when I first heard that in Jopog manura 3,Shu Qi was going to replace Shin Eun Kyung as the lead role. Although I have nothing against Shin Eun Kyung, I feel that the character of a female gangster requires just more than having a scary face. I was very disappointed when I saw Jopog manura and Jopog manura 2. I expected something truly funny with tons of mega kick action, but it turned out to be just another cliché Korean gangster film. But Jopog manura 3 is totally different from it's predecessors, having the right mix of comedy,action,and melodrama.(although I think that this movie should change it's title, given that the movie itself is totally different from it't title.)

Jopog manura 3 revolves around Ah Ryoung(Qi Shu), who is framed of murdering a crime boss from a rival gang to her father's. When her father(a spectacular performance from Lung Ti who starred in the legendary Hong Kong film "A Better Tomorrow")tells her to evacuate Hong Kong until the heat dies down, she chooses to go to South Korea, a country where her unknown mother was born. A Korean mob boss, who is friendly with Ah Ryoung's father, orders his third in charge Ki Chul(played by Lee Bum Soo, star of "The City of Violence" and "Oh Brothers")to protect Ah Ryoung during her stay. What started as a mutual relationship between Ki Chul and Ah Ryoung slowly develops into passionate love.

If I say more, I would be adding spoilers so I'll stop right here. But let me just say again that Jopog Manura 3 was the best movie that I have seen in a long time.

Of course she's a Mary Sue. But we love her anyways; because she defends her boys. She is a form of nobility, in their world. Our male lead is not. He's a small fish (pun) in a big sea. He's not nobility; but he is noble. Which makes him her equal, in her eyes. The translator jokes, both male and female are great. This movie is not intellectual. But it is heartfelt, and heartwarming. I give it a ten.

While not a particularly great movie, it is a watchable mix of romance (some), action (some), and humor (some).

I do have to admit, however, the translation jokes did get old after a while.