O Arquivo de Berlim

"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.

just saw it. speechless! Taking Korean action film to the next level. Must see!! I am a big fan of Bourn series and 007 films.but I am not joking. this one is way better the plot and the acting hell of a movie Hope you guys can see it also I wish someday the director guy takes the next 007 film its a hell of a film man seriously. just watch it. whoooo a wtf this review thing! over ten lines? seriously. man Iam not writing a college essay here. give me a break why do i have to fill up all ten lines!! wtf wtf wtf anyway the movie is a masterpiece. none like the other you will be amazed by the escalated level of korean movies. best korean movie since the bittersweet life. wow man korean directors should be in Hollywood.

The Berlin File is a combination of the serious and glamorised spy film strands. While on the one hand, its plot deals with contemporary issues and politics in a serious way, it also has several explosive action scenes. It's a terrific combination to be perfectly honest, both strands blend seamlessly into one and other. The plot-line is in fact pretty complex and convoluted so it is necessary to pay attention. In very brief summary it's about a botched arms deal that leads to civil strife between North Korean secret agents and ends up involving the South Koreans, the CIA, Mossad and the Arabs. That is of course a ludicrously simplified plot summary but there are too many twists and turns in this one to adequately describe without recourse to too much synopsis.

The characters are well drawn, particularly the two North Korean agents and their South Korean equivalent. They are convincing and strong anchors to base this story on. In fact seeing as this is a South Korean film it's nice to note that the hero of the piece is a North Korean agent. This adds an unusual subversion of expectations. The location for the film too has been specifically chosen. Berlin is the one European city that historically most clearly mirrors Korea. It was divided East and West like Korea is North and South, with one half capitalist the other communist. The old East Germany was very similar to North Korea. But irrespective of the politics, it's just a good idea in general to use a modern European city as the setting for an Asian action flick. It gives the whole thing a more original feel. Seeing the German location used as the battleground for intense Korean action sequences works really well. Those scenes are well worth waiting for. They are a combination of martial arts, gun fights and chases. They are all extremely well controlled and exciting.

The Berlin File is an excellent action flick with a lot in it that makes it feel fresh and vibrant. Definitely recommended.

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

I must admit I'm not a big crime movie fan, but I really did enjoy this, despite the fact that it did get over-complicated at one stage. A spy agency suspects a mole within their Korean embassy in Berlin. Agent Pyo Jong-sung (Jung-woo Ha) gets even more suspicious when his wife's name (who also works for the agency) is mentioned in a video confession and suspected of leaking information. He then starts watching and following her. It gets incredibly interesting from here as they realize both of them were double-crossed and set-up, and must run for their lives. The fight scenes are incredible and the action sequences awesome! One particular scene with his wife on a ledge outside a building, and Pyo and a baddie stumbling through an apartment window was insanely well done as they plummet to the ground!

Being Korean, the film doesn't quite have the ending you'd expect, but the ending was truly spectacular. Oh, and I loved the music, as well.