Escape

Escape (2024) is the latest release from Well Go USA. It is a gripping, compelling, human story coming out of South Korea. We have long hailed South Korea films as being some of the top in the world, and this film reinforces that sentiment. While it may be be fair to say that the closed off nature of the North Korean regime leaves much about what happens across the DMZ to the imagination, there is enough information from the historical data gathered from Defectors to paint a general picture of the conditions there. This film comes from the perspective, not of an ordinary citizen of North Korea who decides to defect, but from that of a solder. As the film lays out, the punishment for such an act is, ultimately, death. It is with that knowledge that we are riveted by the notion that a person would risk death for their freedom from totalitarianism; something most of us in the West take for granted. The acting is strong. Performances by Lee Jon-Hee and Kyo-Hwan Koo are the strength of the movie. They provide great depth, without superfluous dialogue. The action and Direction are very good here. It is brutal in spots. While the film does have some spots where you need to suspend belief; I don't think that hurts the appreciation of the vehicle. While the film may have a different reception in South Korea; it seems the film highlights the value of modern South Korea life. The film is best watched in Korean with subtitles.

"Escape" tells a thrilling and moving story of a North Korean soldier trying to escape to the south and defect. While the film is an enjoyable watch, at times the story feels too predictable or unrealistic, clashing with its heavy tone and grittiness.

Pros: The visuals and story were overall quite excellent, with great performances from the actors. The movie keeps a fast pace going while also incorporating meaningful character development and emotional connection. The bittersweet, hopeful ending is satisfying to reach.

Cons: I watched this film back-to-back after "The Taxi Driver", another excellent Korean drama, so bear in mind that this may have slightly colored my experience of the film. However, though both were in the same broad category of historical action/drama, there was a noticeable difference in the believability of the two films. In "Escape", the protagonist seems to have superhero-movie-level plot armor, dodging hundreds of bullets until the last ten minutes of the movie, when the antagonist conveniently is finally able to shoot him and provide a dramatic conclusion. Besides this, the last half hour of the movie feels like it has too many false climaxes, making the final climax less impactful.

It appears that North Korea is managing to capture attention, as evidenced by the films produced by their adversaries in the South. Director Lee Jong-pil's adaptation of the screenplay by Kwon Sung-hui and Kim Woo-geun ultimately lands in an ambiguous space. The narrative presents an intriguing yet underdeveloped tale of a North Korean defector who escapes to South Korea after a decade of military service, pursued by a relentless North Korean National Security officer, which introduces a degree of tension.

The inclusion of contextual flashbacks enriches this otherwise linear chase story, although these digressions occasionally disrupt the dramatic flow, prompting questions about the narrative's depth and coherence. The overall impression is one of incompleteness.

The initial segment of the film was particularly engaging, introducing the highly focused North Korean Sergeant Lim Kyu-nam (Lee Je-hoon) as he stealthily exits his barracks under the cover of darkness, evading guards and strategically placing markers on his route to the Military Demarcation Line. Lim meticulously navigates a literal minefield, with each night bringing him closer to his goal. Upon returning to base, he is faced with reminders of the urgency of his departure.

Another soldier, the anxious Kim Dong-hyuk (Hong Xa-bin), witnesses one of Lim's clandestine outings and expresses his desire to escape to the South, citing, "Tomorrow is my mom's birthday. I miss her terribly." In a moment of folly, he attempts to flee on his own, leading to Lim's capture while trying to rescue him. At this juncture, Kim takes the blame, and I will leave the subsequent developments for the film to reveal.

While the film is certainly watchable and offers moments of entertainment and action, with good acting as part of it, the latter half becomes increasingly disjointed, with numerous subplots left unresolved, ultimately detracting from the overall experience.

One of the best korean movies I've ever seen . I wasn't sure if i should watch this movie , because of its low imdb rating.. it deserves 7.5/10 imdb atleast.. i usually don't get a seat edge thriller experience from most of the movies.. but this one, i was not able to sit properly coz i was also tensed just like the hero.. loved it a lot.. the music is good , the camera work is fire, the filmmaking quality, editing , transitions everything was top notch.. underrated af.. i watched this movie coz i liked the poster design and knew it has good quality film making.. but i was surprised. Not only the film making, but the concept was also really good.. good writing.. a lot of intense scenes where i stood up coz i couldn't sit peacefully.. more movies like this should be made . Loved it a lot . Love from india.

Escape 2024 isn't just a film-it's a pulse-pounding anthem for rebels, dreamers, and anyone who'd rather burn out than fade away.

This electrifying thriller slams you with a soul-stirring revelation: What if our greatest terror isn't death, but a life unlived? Stunning visuals collide with raw philosophy as characters claw past dystopian chains, turning despair into defiance.

For those who crave freedom like oxygen and dare to leap before looking, this movie is your rallying cry. A masterclass in turning existential dread into fuel for revolution. Bravo to the creators-this isn't cinema, it's a heartbeat in the dark.

Hats off.