Hard to follow action film without clearly good vs. bad characters. Working methods hopefully not typical for Korean criminal justice system
A lot happens in this action film, and inter-relations between respective characters were not always clear to me. For example, several people were blackmailed, bribed or otherwise pressured, but you could not always determine who was giving and who was taking. Further, the amount of violence in several scenes depressed me, and was unnecessary to show this explicitly. It did not contribute to my appreciation.
Like in the real world, no one in this film was 100% good or bad. I saw more than my daily dose of ugly behavior, in fact being a mixture of good and bad. Loosely translated, most people had the best of intentions but less commendable methods to get what they wanted.
The complex relations between the main characters leads to confusion in the story line. It makes this film feel too long for its contents, regardless of the things that are continuously happening throughout the 120 minutes. Hence there should be no reason to get bored. But still, the lack of purpose and direction of what we see happening, does not work out well to maintain our attention.
Satire seemed an essential part of the film. What I found particularly hilarious was how hierarchical lines work in those circles, and how people behave differently when their boss (or even higher) is present. It was way different from what I am used to (warning: I may be prejudiced, living and working in The Netherlands, where subordinates are infamous for their "Yes, but..." type of cooperation).
All things considered I see not much reason to recommend this film, but that is not due to technical flaws or lack of action. What I particularly miss is the logic in the proceedings. I can accept that I'm alone in this, however, and that I did not pay enough attention to catch the plot.
Like in the real world, no one in this film was 100% good or bad. I saw more than my daily dose of ugly behavior, in fact being a mixture of good and bad. Loosely translated, most people had the best of intentions but less commendable methods to get what they wanted.
The complex relations between the main characters leads to confusion in the story line. It makes this film feel too long for its contents, regardless of the things that are continuously happening throughout the 120 minutes. Hence there should be no reason to get bored. But still, the lack of purpose and direction of what we see happening, does not work out well to maintain our attention.
Satire seemed an essential part of the film. What I found particularly hilarious was how hierarchical lines work in those circles, and how people behave differently when their boss (or even higher) is present. It was way different from what I am used to (warning: I may be prejudiced, living and working in The Netherlands, where subordinates are infamous for their "Yes, but..." type of cooperation).
All things considered I see not much reason to recommend this film, but that is not due to technical flaws or lack of action. What I particularly miss is the logic in the proceedings. I can accept that I'm alone in this, however, and that I did not pay enough attention to catch the plot.
- JvH48
- Mar 3, 2011