oh dae-su is abducted and locked up in a hotel-ish prison for reasons he doesn't know. after 15 years of gas-induced sleep, masturbating on tv singers, and plotting his revenge on the guilty parties, he is released, as mysterious as he was captured, with a cellphone and a load of cash. a stranger calls him, telling him that he has 5 days to find out the whole truth, and with he help of a waitress, he pursues his vengeance spree, unaware of the dreadful conclusion that awaits him.
this film had eluded me for ages since i heard of it. ive gone to many dvd hunts lookin for it but to no success. then, some time in september, i saw an internet article saying that the movie will be screened free at a place called titus-brandsma, but alas! it was on a saturday, i was still on probationary employment with a six-day work week back then and ive exhausted my absences for the month already. and then finally, i have managed to acquire a crisp-quality copy with subtitles, and, as ive said before, the wait was all worth it. the famous one-take hallway brawl scene was as good as i imagined it would be. lots of great camera work. not as gory as takashi miike's movies, but still gut-wrenching enough to make it unforgettable. stunning piece from park chan wook (who directed "cut" from three...extremes). it must have been a grueling yet rewarding experience for the whole crew to come up with a film like this.
there is nudity and sex, but id rather not spill a word about it. actors were perfect, the highest of praises to dae-su, especially in the ending. it'll make you wonder if you'd react the same way in the same situation. this is the most crooked character-driven drama ive seen so far. the "magic" (for lack of a better term) of this movie would definitely be ruined if i say more than ive already said. you'll just have to see it for yourselves. and trust me, nothing you can do to prepare for this wicked ride...
the good: the story. it'll grab you, make you cringe, or shock you to the bone, depending on the kind of person you are. me? i was awed. creeped out, but awed.
the bad: the slow pace, which didnt bother me much, might turn most viewers off
the ugly: just about everything, upon seeing the twist ending.
the score: 10 live octopi.
the skiz.
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