Pagwa

This seems to be a story you've seen before: the hit-men agency, the legendary old agent, the new blood, the personal grudge, the people to protect, the double and triple cross. I mean, you are already thinking of Stallone and Banderas, aren't you? Or at least some version of the same story from your time. And this film is exactly the same, only completely different, too. The motivations are different, the setup is different, the maniacal laughter is different and so on.

I don't want to spoil the thing, so I am just going to say that I expected the old Korean lady to use her skills appropriately to her age. Instead it's so obvious when a younger version moves and kills. That was disappointing. Other than that, though, it's really interesting to compare the same story told by Americans and by Koreans. Similar in so many ways and yet so profoundly alien.

It is a movie with intense action and very tension, and I have already watched the Nth movie, and my friend can watch the Nth movie.

It continues well from the past to the present of bullfighting and sculpture, but it appears as a scene, so I felt confused. This film and why I went to the Berlin Film Festival are all the movies that anyone can see, and in Korea, it is increasingly going backward and receiving good reviews from many audiences. There is also a novel called Shredding, which is a story about the days when the sculpture was a top and when I met Ryu, and I think it would be nice to make it into a movie.

No pun intended - when is the right time to hang up your gloves (or knives to take a cue from the title here)? Well it is not always easy to figure out the right time - in the criminal world others make that decision for you.

The woman who has quite the backstory and we get to see her rise into infamy ... well she can still hold her own. This is definitely not a movie that can be accused of ageism ... well done (stunt and story wise) ... not perfect, but with age comes a certain knowledge ... to know when and how to (re)act ...

The Old Woman with the Knife is held up by Lee-Hye-yeong and Kim Sung-cheol's performances, a few bloody action sequences and a sentimental ending that hits the right notes.

The plot follows a legendary assassin named Hornclaw, and a young-brutal-mysterious new recruit, Bullfight. Hornclaw is fighting the fact that she can't do what she used to, and the rash provocations of the new recruit Bullfight throughout the movie. All the while diving into Hornclaws past through interspersed flash backs.

The plot is a bit overcomplicated throughout and I wish more time was built explaining a few more of the convoluted relationships. However, the ending was pretty good and wrapped the movie up well.

There is not a ton of action but what we do get is competent enough and the finale was fun to watch with a good measure of heart thrown in. If you're looking for a solid cat and mouse thriller with great performances I think you will find something to enjoy in The Old Woman with the Knife.