Jogada Divina

Created on 2014 means Korea film still long way to go but this one is quite nice. At times its illogic story but as we accept it, another illogic story reappears. Its nice to spend time on this movie but do not get too much expectation.

Could've been another title, though I did watch it under "Divine Move" at a Festival. While I have no clue how to play (or better the rules of) Baduk, the movie was still very appealing. It also achieves to make the game interesting many times. We have a lot of games that have to be covered over the duration of the movie and each one of them is shot differently and shown in a different light, depending on where the story and characters are at the moment.

But it's not a "sports" movie about a board game. It's also an action movie and those scenes are more than well choreographed! The movie is action packed and it has moments in it, that you might not expect. Not sure how the ending will go down with some, but I like the movie for not going the easy way ...

This film is based around the game of Go (Baduk). Go is considered to be one of, if not the hardest board game to play. It is also considered the oldest board game having originated in China approximately 2500 years ago. Go is a strategic game which requires great focus and presence of mind to capture your opponent. The game is still extremely popular and in this film it is played with high stakes.

The main character is a professional player and when asked by his brother to help him win a game, things go terribly wrong, his brother is murdered and he ends up in prison. While in prison, he makes fast friends with a mob boss by winning a game against the warden in which the mob boss gets a request granted. He asked the mobster to return him the favor by having his henchmen train him to skillfully fight so that when he leaves prison he can avenge his brother's death. That is the plot of the movie.

I don't really know much about the game of Go but the folks in this film have made the game a building stone of their criminal enterprise. There is a lot of money, talent and blood wrapped up in this game. Some of the characters are like or dislikeable enough but I think that the film could have benefited from more character building. The action sequences were the highlight. They were quick, well shot and fairly brutal keeping you on the edge of your seat.

It is a decent film. Check it out if you are looking for a bit of action.

Great movie from start to finish, it does not fail in the action and a necessary revenge that is emitted through comedy, drama, action and the necessary blood. It is a correct, entertaining film, I couldn't expect more from South Korea, which I dare say they have a very specific universe within the action genre, it is something that only they can captivate. Please watch it and enjoy. Also Jung Woon Sung is such a beautiful man.

I thought I was going to really enjoy this movie. At least more than "Tazza: The Hidden Card", but it didn't come close to meeting my expectation. And "Tazza: The Hidden Card" is simply a more entertaining movie compared to this. The story starts out like it's going to lead up to something really cool. But the movie just seem to get blander and blander as it progressed. The is a revenge story that has the board game "Baduk", not the other way around. I must say everything about this movie is just straight up predictable. If you guess what direction this movie is going to go the chances are that you are right on the money. The cinematography is good and Ahn Sung-ki's acting was impressive and he still has that genuine charisma going. There is certain elements that are added into this movie that just doesn't go anywhere. And it just seemed unnecessary for the movie as a whole. At least in "Tazza" most of the characters had significance, I can't say the same for this movie.

6.2/10.