Ransomed

Korean political action thriller in the same vein as Mogadishu and The Point Men.

Ha Jung-woo stars in the really entertaining film by up-and-coming director Kim Seong-hun (who already proved his worth with A Hard Day, and continues to do so here). Possibly a better offering than the other two films mentioned before, in a sense that it melds geopolitical concerns with plenty of action and humor without ever hitting a false note, bar an occasional scene.

I find it hard to believe there would be a genre fan out there who wouldn't at least enjoy parts of what Ransomed offers. It's so, so fun, intense, creative in its action scenes that its two-hour runtime zips by.

Very much recommended to genre fans, and/or if you simply like commercial entertainment done right.

Indeed the action is very entertaining--oh those tight streets but it's the imaginative creative problem solving and personal interactions which put this a step ahead of other such films. The frosting on the cake though is the show of loyalty and care of the civil servants who stand in solidarity in the hallway as they offer their salaries to pay the ransom while the so called "leaders' are willing to treat every life as expendable--except their own of course. One wonders how anyone manages to live in countries destroyed by war and overrun by gangs. Have to ask where all the guns and ammo come from as there seems to be an endless supply. The answer to that are not very pleasant.

Ransomed is a Well balanced Thriller. This Well Go USA release is loosely based on real events that took place in the lead up the critically important 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. When a previously kidnapped Korean Diplomat in Lebanon turns out to be alive a Korean Diplomatic office worker, played smartly by Ha Jung-woo, goes on a mission to deliver the ransom money and secure his release. When the mission gets dangerous and complicate he is forced to partner with an ex-pat, Korean taxi driver living in the area. That character is played by Ju Ji-hoon, and he is really, really great to watch. The film has elements of a spy thriller, action film, with the balance of the comedic aspects of an American "Buddy Film". There were times it reminded me of Escape to Mogadishu, which was more serious; at times of Argo; and at other times, Rush Hour. The end result of the film is one that is highly watchable and engaging. I highly recommend it. The acting, script, Direction, and cinematography are all very good. The supporting cast is very good in this, both on the Korean side, and inside of Beirut. Watch it in Korean, with English subititles.

No pun intended - Korean movies. You have to love them. Of course not all will have the same amount of quality, but if they get a cinematic release in Europe (around the world), you can guess that they are more likely than not a winner .. a good one of sorts. And I can clearly say that the movie is well done (like the puns I use - another one in the previous sentence).

That all being said, this is based on a true story. Not sure how much of it actually happened the way it is being shown - but a little creative license goes a long way. The actors are really good - so good that you may not mind when the movie is a bit convenient and coincidences happen that seem way too far stretched (again do not know the real story, so maybe some of the stuff happened like that anyway).

Still the movie has high drama and the suspense works really good. You are on the edge of your seat - car chases, shootouts and twists and turns! Some you may be able to guess ... others not so much. I really loved it ... and I didn't mind the melodrama or clcihes it did dish out ... they make sense in the overall arc and theme of the movie.

Ransomed is a captivating film that combines the thrilling true story of a real-life hostage situation with creative imagination. Director Kim Sung Hoon, known for his ability to portray intense struggles in films like" A Hard Day " &" Tunnel", shines once again in this gripping suspense...

One of the great strengths of "Ransomed" is that it doesn't try to do too much and keeps a good balance. It doesn't rely too heavily on humor or push for tears. The movie strikes a perfect balance as it takes us through the hostage rescue process with a delightful mix of lighthearted humor between the characters, thrilling action sequences, and a gentle touch of emotion stemming from the personal growth of the characters...

Ransomed delivers a perfect blend of humor and action that makes it an enjoyable summer flick. Moreover, with thrilling car chases set in 1980s Lebanon, it offers a refreshing and exhilarating time...

Also with few lead characters Director manages the pace seamlessly with effective camera work that holds the soul of the flick & Not to forget the actors did a fantastic job not to say in particular...