One of the best Korean films I have had the pleasure of watching.
It's kind of a Korean Bond (there are a couple scenes that seem to "borrow" from the 007 franchise) with more espionage and less action. When the action does happen, it is full throttle.
It's a bit confusing to start with as there are so many threads to the story but stay with it and it will all become clear.
Jung-woo Ha is excellent as Pyo Jong-Seung, a former spy from North Korea and nations hero struggling to cope with colleagues, national identity and his wife, played by Gianna Jun (whom I'd oddly seen the night before in the fun movie The Thieves). I felt her character was underplayed but that may be the general idea of the director. But it is Seung beom Ryu as Dong Meong-Soo who steals every scene he is in.
The role he nails would easily carry off his own film, even though he is a bit mad and of course, bad. But Korean cinema could easily work that to its advantage.
The finale of the film was tremendous and it certainly didn't feel like an hour long movie.
One of the best Korean films I have had the pleasure of watching.
It's kind of a Korean Bond (there are a couple scenes that seem to "borrow" from the 007 franchise) with more espionage and less action. When the action does happen, it is full throttle.
It's a bit confusing to start with as there are so many threads to the story but stay with it and it will all become clear.
Jung-woo Ha is excellent as Pyo Jong-Seung, a former spy from North Korea and nations hero struggling to cope with colleagues, national identity and his wife, played by Gianna Jun (whom I'd oddly seen the night before in the fun movie The Thieves). I felt her character was underplayed but that may be the general idea of the director. But it is Seung beom Ryu as Dong Meong-Soo who steals every scene he is in.
The role he nails would easily carry off his own film, even though he is a bit mad and of course, bad. But Korean cinema could easily work that to its advantage.
The finale of the film was tremendous and it certainly didn't feel like an hour long movie.
