The Roundup

Gilgamesh, I mean Ma Dong-seok, and his incomparable vigor is the star of this devilishly entertaining action-thriller-comedy. The plot might tad shaky in its focus, but the film never strays in delivering its ravishing thrills.

After months of waiting got to see the sequel to my all time favorite action thriller, The Outlaws. Just like a million other reviews I have only good things to say about the Round Up and yes it thrilled me to bits. Unlike the first movie Deputy Ma has softened up and he is seen laughing and having fun. I liked the earlier version of Ma, he was damn serious and made everyone who watched him laugh..the Venom-Jang Isu compromise scene for example. The Round Up also has a flamboyant musical score, projecting Ma as 'the beast cop', very cliched. The Outlaws on the other hand had a subdued score which came alive ferociously only at the right time. The title scene and Ma and boys approaching the Venom thugs gave me goosebumps. MOWG..what a composer. In the Round Up the supporting cast gets a lot of screen time, Jang Isu, The rookies,Dong-gyun all gets to do some rollicking action.

Of course the icing on cake is Sukku Son, brutal and fits the role to the t. The final confrontation should go to some action hall of fame. Ju Seong-rims' camera and Kim Sun-mins' cuts are top notch.

With all due respect to Sang Yong Lee, kindly bring back Yoon Seon Kang as director and Mowg as composer for the franchise. Please..

This time the presentation is far more refined and more smoothed around the edges! Almost all the issues that I have encountered on the previous occasion have been rectified except for a couple. We've got ourselves better fights, comparatively more space for the primary cast to breathe, and last but not least, a competent portraiture of an unrelieved and an unyielding antagonist, who will make you terrified.

But, hey you don't need to worry. Don Lee (Ma Dong-Seok) is here to save the day (yet again) with his overpowering charm and his heavenly fist, and boy oh boy! Doesn't he pack a punch!

Bone-crushing action flick which makes us laugh while offering up regular jolts of adrenaline due to Sukku's rampage performance. Lee Sang-yong had great sound mixing that made Don Lee stand out as 'super-police'. Equally good sequel you wish would continue.

This is the best action film I have seen in years. The Roundup is very well done and it's worth your attention. If you can handle subtitled movies, then you should take it in.