Oldboy (2004)

makes you think how everyday actions effect your future

why was this man kept prisoner for 15 years? it does not matter if he can not get out. well one day he gets his freedom. he has five days to find out why he was put there and to get revenge on the people that did it to him. straight to the point, easy plot right? yes and no. revenge is a hard thing to do.

graphic is the best word to describe this movie and the ending will probably result in you picking your jaw off of the floor. October 11, 2008

Oldboy - Crime Drama, Thriller, Horror - Whatever Category, This Movie Is Great

Oldboy is a movie that defies classification. This movie could easily be sliced and diced into three or four genres and be in the upper echelon of any of them. In fact, even writing a review of this movie is a challenge. Basic plot synopses will not give you a sense of how original and well made this movie is. This is the rare gem; you can either watch it simply for enjoyment, or peel back the layers like an onion and study each one.

There are a few warnings however. This film is not for the squeamish. After lulling you in with some slow segments, the movie can turn very violent and gruesome in an instant. The film also touches upon some controversial topics, so it is not for the judgmental or the easily offended. An important aspect to remember when watching this movie is that many of the social norms of Korean culture, and Asian culture in general, are so different from our own that it may be hard for some people to understand why characters make the choices they do. If you are open-minded and study the film carefully, there is a lot of depth and meaning in that too.

The movie really occurs in several unique sections that are tied together at the end. The basic formula has been described as a "revenge thriller" but the story changes in such a way to make that category inadequate.

Dae-Su (Min-Sik Choi) is an unfortunate man who gets drunk and kidnapped. He is held captive in a cheap motel room for a very long time, with no real understanding of who is holding him or why. All attempts to escape or find out why he is there result in nothing.

The story then takes a turn as Dae su is released under mysterious circumstances. He vows revenge against his captors.

Dae Su seems to have a loose grip on reality after years of captivity and we see him slip further into madness as he seeks his tormentors. As we follow his search for his captors and his difficult integration back into society, small clues start to emerge about Dae Su's past and who might have been behind his imprisonment. There is more than just one twist to the story, and each plot element adds a new layer.

He befriends a woman in a sushi bar and they develop a quick relationship. As all the plot elements collide, we see that nobody in the story is exactly who we think they are.

The end results in a very thought-provoking dilemma which questions the fundamental nature of many of life's basic human relationships. Love, hate, revenge; they are all put under the microscope in this movie.

The film is shot beautifully and has many beautiful scenes. Colors and shadows are used to create and foreshadow emotion.

The DVD extras include standard fare, such as interviews, deleted scenes, trailers and a commentary track.

Conclusion

This movie is a must-see if you enjoy psychological horror, as long as you can set aside your squeamishness. If you like psychological drama, horror, or thrillers this may be the best movie you've seen recently in any of those categories. Watch it with an open mind and avoid plot spoilers. Once you've seen it, you'll probably want to see it again.

Enjoy.
October 6, 2008

Dark secrets and revenge

After 15 yrs of being in prisioned Oh Dae-Su is mysteriously released. His one priority is finding out who did this to him, why he was in prisoned and paying the guy back for robbing him of 15 yrs of his life and the loss of his family.

A great story about revenge with a horrifying twist ending that will leave you in disbeleif.


This 3 disk set comes with the manga and a collectors tin. This is also the only Tartan Extreme title to provide a dub track. October 4, 2008

One of my favorite movies ever.

It is just a great movie. Love it, Love it, Love it. It has an ending that Hollywood would NEVER, NEVER, EVER touch. It is just so unique. Sorry I'm being so vague, I just don't want to spoil it. September 6, 2008

Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone.

The thing about Oldboy is that it leaves you thinking long after the credits. The next night after seeing it, I ended up dreaming I was trapped in a hotel room, with my hair growing out of control, with the exception being that there was no TV. It certainly makes you think how you would cope in that situation - the only situation similar to that would be prison. But at least in prison you get some luxuries.

The story is based around Oh Dae-Su, who is taken from the streets after a drunken night out, and held prisoner in a hotel-style room, with no way out and nothing but the TV for company. He keeps up with the events of the world through this, and also learns of his wife's death and his young daughter's subsequent adoption. When his hair needs cut, or his room needs cleaned, he's gassed. After 15 years he's released, to a whole new world, and a wallet full of a cash, and a mobile phone.

What happens after that is an absolute whirlwind of emotions and imagery. I won't spoil any of the film for you, but be prepared to concentrate. Unfortunately, the film does lose its momentum part way through, and then it all comes together at the end.

When you think you know exactly what is happening in this film, it takes a sudden twist, and you're left thinking again, and puzzling over it, trying to work out what's happening, and where it's going before it gets there. The film comes to an absolute through-provoking climax, where I was still left wondering what on earth was going on, and it will take a few minutes to work it out. But I did go home babbling about it to my dad (who'd already seen the film) which is normally a good sign.

I didn't really like Sympathy For Mr Vengence, but Oldboy has more than made up for that. It's a thought provoking and intriguing movie and yes, gives you a reason to watch it again. June 24, 2008

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