Arang

I've been hoping that this movie will bring something new to the South Korean horror industry, but I was wrong. The plot is basically the same as in tons of other Asian movies, dealing with an old grudge, that seeks retribution. I would say the best part of the movie is it's beginning, as later on almost every scene is so predictable it makes it hard to watch. The ghost is depicted as in a dozen Asian movies, a female with long black hair falling over her face, with "spooky" eyes. A strange mix of Ringu an Ju-on, to be polite and not say rip-off. There are twists in the plot, but again, the twist is so predictable it makes you laugh. Even though, this is a good movie, it will entertain you for 90 minutes, but that's all. You won't be talking about it and hoping to see it again. As I'm a fan of Asian horrors, I was glad to watch this, but after seeing it I can't say I'm delighted. A few scares, predictable plot and twists, long haired ghosts with "funny" eyes.

An ex-convict fresh out of prison, devoid of any means of financing his livelihood, situates himself in an expensive apartment. Not soon after a black-eyed ghost with long black hair (hey... it's a K-horror, so what did you expect) appears and the man is soon found dead burnt to a crisp and strangled. Within days two of his former friends die in similar circumstances, whilst the fourth starts having similar deadly visions. Can two detectives Dong-min (Jong Su-Lee) and Hyun-ki (Dong-Wong Lee) solve this supernaturally flavoured series of murders? The movie starts out very disappointingly, as we are privy to watch yet another Asian ghost story, that initially seems to reek of repetitiveness. Additionally some of the initial acting, dialogue as well as pasting together of scenes seems amateurish and rashly done. The movie does however start to unravel into interesting directions and the cast + crew somehow start getting their act together to dispose of faults apparent in the opening sequences. The dialogue does seem unfinished and misused at times, but apart from that the story starts to involve.

Thanks largely to two key twists in the movie. One concerns the construction of the story, which intermingles your typical ghost story into a police procedural thriller. An idea so obvious and simple, but somehow I fail to remember anyone to have attempted this in the past. The second twist would unravel too many mysteries, so the less said the better.

I was however severely disappointed with the end scene of the movie. After starting to heap on the praise for the solid attempt at twisting expectations the movie falls down into its own trap and gives a very crappy, disappointing end scene, which really should be cut for the sake of the viewers.

Nonetheless a much more engaging movie than I was expecting. Maybe disappointingly repetitive in the horror itself, but finely makes up for it in the mystery/police department.

So-Young is a seasoned female detective who is investigated a series of brutal and unexplainable deaths. Assigned a new partner to take on the case, So-Young unleashes terrifying secrets from the past, which involve a mysterious salt house, and a stereotypical long-haired ghost, which looks as if it might have just walked off the set of The Shutter. Anyway, the deeper So-Young digs for the truth, the more she realizes everyone involved might be a lot more connected that they think.

Arang is one of a long line of Asian horror films that borrow from past successes, in terms of the scares, it's nothing you haven't seen already. This isn't to say the film isn't suspenseful, but it is indicative of most K-Horror, in that it utilizes atmospherics and scary sounds to build tension. There are a few genuinely scary parts (under the desk) but for the most part it's your standard K-horror fare.

But, where Arang differs from past Asian horror is the way the film focuses more on the Detectives working the case than on lives of the actual murder victims. In fact, the victims receive very little screen time and because of this the film resembles a detective story more than a horror story. Asian Horror hounds may find this a little disappointing, but this is the main reason why I liked Arang so much. Because while the horror elements are re-treads of familiar territory, the detective element is engaging and fun.

Another reason to like Arang would be the amazing score, featuring mournful sounding piano, creepy atmospheric synths, and the creepiest ring-tone since One Missed Call, Jung Dong In's score was a highlight of the film (Someone seriously needs to start producing these soundtracks) and makes the film a much more enjoyable watch.

The cinematography was also excellent, and I was blown away by some of the shots in the film, especially those including the beach and a lighthouse. There is also a shot done with CGI towards the end of the film that is outright beautiful. In my book, the film deserves a viewing for that scene alone.

All in all, Arang is a very entertaining piece, while it is bogged down in the typical K-Horror clichés, it's detective story, score, and creative plot twist (Not contrived) helps raise the film above the level of other K-horror copycats, and makes it a fun film. Also considering that it's Ahn Sang Hoon's debut film, I will definitely keep an eye out for his work in the future.

My Rating 7 out of 10: While Arang is a copycat, it's different enough to be entertaining.

A Korean horror film from first-time (not counting a short) writer/director Sang-hoon Ahn. It is also a first film for TV actress So-yeong Choo, who plays a detective coming off suspension.

First, you would think the writers didn't miss a flick: The Grudge, One Missed Call, Shutter, or CSI. Min (So-yeong Choo) has a new partner straight from a year in Forensics. Can a film that borrows from so many present anything original? Several men die under mysterious circumstances after being visited by a long-haired ghost. Sound familiar. They are tied to a dead some 10 years ago.

What is good about the film is the cinematography and the sound, and the fact that it focuses on the detectives rather than the ghost or the victims. Min has a secret that probably drove her to become a detective.

Her partner has a secret, too.

Let me preface by saying that I'm not really familiar with the Asian horror genre, and I can't tell you if the long-haired-ghost routine is, by now, trite and derivative. I can tell you Arang is a pretty movie with well done visuals. It also had a number of solid "jump" moments-- a scene near the beginning where the ghost appears only on film during a wedding is memorable, as is a still image of the bride twisting into a wicked, inhuman grin. I was amused by the visual imagery of each supernatural murder, if not genuinely frightened.

The movie is interesting because it represents a fusion of two genres: cop drama and ghost-horror. It seems like such a natural match, I was astonished that I hadn't seen it on film previously. A ghost is killing people, the cops are trying to solve the murders, and in the process discovering the connection between the killings and the reasons the ghost cannot rest. The two genres tie together with an amusing twist 3/4 of the way through that re-contextualizes the relationship between the two genres to each other.

Arang is a competently executed piece of genre fiction; it isn't groundbreaking, but it is entertaining, and I'm glad to have seen it.