The Agent

I was actually quite impressed by this film, probably since it caught me off guard. Because Korea comes out with some good and even great films but just not so much when it comes to action movies. Maybe just few. This is actually a really good action popcorn flick that is entertaining and enthralling most of the way through. It felt like it blends elements from the "Bourne" films but has enough of it's own elements to be it's own film. The actors in this is just fantastic with their roles. Ha Jung-Woo has really worked himself up to becomes one of the top stars of Korea. He may not be the best looking lead actor in movies but that is why his characters are more believable, plus he is a good actor and charismatic as well. Ryoo Seung-Bum is the show stealer in this film and just about every scene he is in is chilling and also entertaining to watch. Han Suk-Kyu is basically Han Suk-Kyu in just about every movie he is in. But he usually fits the role and he fits right in with this one as well. Gianna Jun is also in this but her role could have been played by almost anyone. This film is probably even good enough to go toe to toe with some Hollywood action movies. Even the fight sequences are second to none because it has that "Bourne" movie vibe going for it but it's not all choppy and crap. Even if few action parts doesn't make much sense. You can actually see everything that is going on. Overall if you like Korean films and also action movies than check this one out. If not, just check it out anyways.

7.8/10

"The Berlin File" is a South Korean version of action-thrillers with conspiracy and spy elements and twists in the key of "The Bourne Identity". The entire movie takes place in the German capital Berlin which gives the whole thing a more international flair even though some parts were clearly filmed in Latvia's capital Riga which feels a little bit goofy.

The strongest points of the movie are the action scenes and in particular the brutal hand to hand combats. The special effects are also decent. The fast paced fighting sequences, the intriguing locations and the overall rather dark atmosphere of the movie quickly get you hooked.

The acting is of an average quality. While the actors are good, the characters lack depth due to an average script quality. My favourite character is the evil North Korean agent because he really incarnates an unpredictable psycho that has a unique way to act and talk. The two main characters including a loyal North Korean agent and a rather straight South Korean agent are rather faceless on the other side.

The weakest part of the movie is the conspiracy plot. The first thirty minutes of the film are pretty much confusing and introduce us to too many random different characters and stereotypical organizations: snobbish CIA agents, corrupt German politicians, brutal and closed- minded Islamist terrorists, intimidating Mossad agents, emotionless, loyal and silent on one side and loyal and pitiless North Korean agents on the other, bitter anti-communist agents from South Korea, Russian arms dealers and so on. The high amount of characters hides the fact that there isn't all too much going on concerning the story itself. The first half of the movie seems really promising but especially the last forty-five minutes are rather weak and mix overlong chasing and shooting scenes with wooden tearjerker moments.

In the last five minutes, the movie pulls out a twist like a rabbit out of a hat. Usually, I like twisted endings and especially the South Korean cinema has come around with some promising closures in the past. This one here feels pretty much constructed though and only seems to be there to give some room for a possible sequel. I hope South Korea won't go this stretched Hollywood way.

In the end, I expected a much more original and twisted conspiracy thriller from a country that has come around with the world's most innovating movies in the past fifteen years. "The Berlin File" is though only a good average to good action-thriller that can't mess with the status of the James Bond or Jason Bourne series. The clash between North and South Korean agents has been portrayed in more detailed and convincing ways in movies such as "Shiri", "Joint Security Area" and "Typhoon" for example. These three films are all above the quality of this one. I would still recommend this movie to faithful fans of international action-thrillers but this film had the potential to be much more than just easy entertainment. My final rating would be situated somewhere between six and seven points.

After an arms smuggling deal goes bad, North Korean agent Pyo Jong Sung finds himself and his wife, translator Ryeon Jung-hee under a cloud of suspicion and tries to uncover the real culprit. North and South Korean, Russian, U.S., Israeli, and Arab agents are everywhere, to the point where it seems it's only slightly more likely to see a German citizen on the streets of Berlin than if the action took place in Seoul.

Once all of these players are introduced, the movie does a good job of sorting them all out, as Jong Sung investigates who is responsible. There are a number of very effective action sequences throughout the film to keep things moving.

The relationship between Jong Sung and Jung-hee is central to to plot. For an action movie, the characters are very well presented. But fans expecting a repeat of Jun Ji Hyun's delightfully over-the-top performance in The Thieves will be disappointed. Her role as Jung- hee in The Berlin File rarely goes beyond that of a typical damsel in distress.

The movie is exceptionally well filmed to reflect a tense, somber mood. There were some shots that looked almost as if they were filmed in black and white to harmonize with the prevailing tone.

The end of the movie strongly foreshadows that a sequel is in the works. Of course that typically depends on how well the movie performs at the box office. By all reports The Berlin File easily did well enough to justify a sequel. I'll be looking forward it.

The story and setting is believable enough; the action scenes are also well enough to pass the test. Still, the able Korean cast is put against a 2nd rate European cast which pulls this movie down. The dialog in English and German is just sad; Not speaking Korean, I hope the Korean part was better. There was some nice location and camera work involved. So all in all: bad movie that is entertaining. Do see this movie, but do not expect a masterpiece; just relax and enjoy the action (and keep up with who is who, from where and where). If only they could have contracted a German or American top actor; if only they secured some Berlin money in exchange for some shots of that beautiful city. I smell a Hollywood remake (which will be better).

I'm always surprised that other people are surprised that South Korea is capable of delivering good action movies. The action scenes/stunts from this movie alone put some American movies to shame! There is almost an insanity to some of them, but it comes across as really well executed (no pun intended).

Having said that, what I also like about movies from Korea, is their ability to make you invest into characters, while simultaneously keeping them mysterious or at least in grey areas as well. What is good and who is bad, could be a question, but what would be the answer? If you'd be able to answer that of course. Not all movies work with that formula, but this particular one does. You might have to wrap your head around this, so it might take a few minutes to get who is who and doing what, but once you are there (without the movie patronizing you), you will be able to really enjoy this