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EricYJChoi
Reviews
Sasaeng gyeoldan (2006)
Solid Korean Action Comedy
'Bloody Tie' is one of the most exhilarating action comedies from South Korea in 2006. The story revolves around a drug pusher and corrupt cop teaming up to bring down a powerful drug lord in Pusan. While the plot seems unoriginal, the film makes up for it with its unique and kinetic style, harking back to the old Hong Kong action flicks of the 80s. This is most evident in the title screen, a homage executed so perfectly that I was convinced this film could not have been made so recently.
One thing you'll notice within the first five minutes of watching this film is the crazy, borderline drug-induced cinematography. The camera-work is often frantic, with the cinematographer often utilizing hand-held photography and crash zooms with a touch of split screen now and then. On the flip side, the film also has some gorgeous shots of the port city of Pusan. This is especially evident in the movie's brilliant and very satisfying ending, one of my favorites of all time. Another thing that makes the ending so beautiful is the music. This film has such a fun soundtrack that oozes with coolness and puts you squarely in the time period.
The characters are also interesting enough to keep you engaged. Each are corrupt to the core and yet you can always find something sympathetic about them. Director Choi doesn't bother giving you a hero but instead brings you several anti-heroes who aren't very likable but they sure are cool. A lot of why this tactic works is due to the actors' great performances, in particular actress Ja-Hyeon Chu who actually manages to be the film's emotional core with only 20 minutes of screen time.
With such a refreshing visual style, hilarious black humor, and a dash of social commentary on the negative effects of the IMF financial crisis in South Korea, this stands as one of the best Korean films of 2006 and is well worth watching.
Tae-poong (2005)
An Average Korean Blockbuster
This new film by Kwak Kyung-Taek is dubbed a blockbuster, having used up the most expensive budget in Korean cinema history. The money does show up on screen and the locations are nice and exotic. But the movie is somewhat disappointing in other respects.
The first hour is very boring, one that had me restless. The music sounded like something from an expensive video game and many scenes dragged on far too long. After witnessing the most uninspired car chase I've seen in a while, I was ready to give up on this movie. However, Lee Mi-Yeon managed to save the film single handedly with an incredible performance. It's a shame she's on screen for such a short time but with her introduction, the film suddenly finds energy and was entertaining from then on. The film could have used some better characterization and more interaction between the two protagonists. It is mostly the flawed screenplay that is the blame here concerning our lack of emotional attachment to the main characters not the actors themselves; they both do a suitable job. More of Lee Mi-Yeon could have always helped as well. As it is, this movie delivers somewhat as entertainment but it could have been much better.
One scene that will remain in my mind from this film is when the two protagonists meet at the train station. This is one of the few times when the music complemented the scene and the result is truly cinematic. Only at this turning point does the movie find its mark but when it does, it's more than watchable.