This review may contain spoilers
Initially, I wanted to watch Ip Man rather than this movie, but then my male cousin was insisting on watching this film because he has already started it and kept talking about how awesome it was. I had no idea what I was getting myself into until I started watching it.So here are the things I learned about "The Man from Nowhere":
It was a highly acclaimed film back in 2010.
Won Bin acted as the main character.
The young female actress was Kim Sae Ron.
These names are pretty much known in the Korean entertainment industry up to this day and I can’t believe I missed this film back then. I’ve seen several posters as a reference to this movie in different dramas which states that it was an epic accomplishment for any filmmaker.
But ‘nuff said about that.
What made me like this movie (aside from Won Bin) was how it was action packed and yet emotional. Doesn’t matter that the theme was similar to several old films i.e. Leon – The Professional, which starred Natalie Portman when she was still a young kid. It wasn’t exactly about the story line or the theme. It was more about the character execution of the actors. The young Kim Sae Ron as Jeong So Mi was such an endearing character for so many reasons. On the other hand, Won Bin as Ahjussi absorbed her quirkiness. This emotional exchange goes both ways though, as his character was such an eccentric and aloof person but despite that, So Mi was able to love him as he is, like that of a daughter, while Ahjussi loved her all the same as a father. Their screen time together was so palpable it clenched my heart to watch them all throughout the film.
Then there’s also those supporting characters acted by Kim Hee Won and Kim Sung Oh (oh how I freaking love this guy!!! I always love watching him act regardless if he’s a main character or a supporting one). These pair are the kind of people you would want to bury alive. I was gritting my teeth while watching them, they looked like a bunch of fools but they are both street smart and had evil souls. They work so well as the villains. I sooooo love hate them. Then, put in the thailander Wongtrakul Thanayong as Ramrowan in the mix, the antagonist circle is complete. The guy is such a charismatic assassin, I like him so much because his character is someone who is in for the fight and not exactly for the killing.
On the other aspects of the film, the cinematography and awesome action scenes was spot on and never felt redundant. The heart racing scenes weren’t overwhelming. They were shown with perfect timing which was one of the best things an action film can do. It doesn’t seem tiring to watch. Even though some of the scenes were visually disturbing, I still felt like asking for more because I was looking forward to justice at the end of it all.
For a film with a storyline that centralized about drugs, human trafficking and gangs… it seemed impossible to put in an emotional aspect in all of the chaos happening, but no. The Man from Nowhere is different because it was able to pull in the audience (like me!) in an emotional wreck. I also admire the transition of the main character from his past character to his present and then back again, it made him seem more... human. And then insert the back ground music, things couldn’t be more perfect.
One thing I try not to think too much about is associating Cha Tae Shik to the character of Robert McCall which Denzel Washington portrayed in the movie "Equalizer". Both characters were fearless and mind-blowing-badass that they are so freaking similar. I don’t want to talk too much about their similarities hence the spoiler. You must check both movies to see the resemblance of characters for yourself. I will probably re-watch this in the near future, but as of now, I will meditate in the memory of such an astounding film.
Highly recommending this to all action-buffs out there.
Was this review helpful to you?
I salute Won Bin, he just earned my respect as an actor! He is incredibly outstanding here his acting is beyond words! And the little girl kim sae won just act brilliantly. The role fit her so well! No wonder she bagged a Best actress award for this!
The story is just simple, but was written so brilliantly that you will be moved not just entertained! I like the subtle but intense interactions of the two leads! They have certain chemistry only them can understand. I like the actions just enough to stir up emotions and it being a thriller movie!
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This movie is not for the ones with a weak heart because there is a lot of hardcore violence involved and you will cry and get shocked so much throughout the movie!
The acting is not only good with Won Bin, but also with all the others. Really well done cast! The story is very interesting and it will keep you tensed every single second of the movie. The music is very effective and it makes everything more thrilling. At the end of the movie, the song that they chose for the credits is simply ORGASMIC!
This is a must watch movie if you are not grossed out by seing a lot of blood and other obscene things. But let's face it, this is the world we live in and this is really happening.
Enjoy :)
Was this review helpful to you?
A word to the wise: This movie contains a LOT OF VIOLENCE. If you cannot handle blood very well, my advice would be to stay as far away from this movies as possible. Graphic detail comes as a part & parcel of this movie.
Now that we've got that tiny little detail out of the way, it's time to discuss the movie. To start off, it's an action packed movie, with just the right amount of emotions to set your heart into a frenzy. There is no hidden romance here, but the sweet bond of friendship formed between the two prominent leads, namely our "man" from nowhere(Won Bin) and the little girl whom he befriends(Kim Sae Ron), is what keeps the story going.
Won Bin makes an excellent lead, a man of few words who believes in action rather than talk. He not only possesses resilience and determination in astounding amounts, but he's also got the fighting skills of a trained mercenary to boot. The little girl shows tremendous courage for someone her age, and her personality is of someone who can melt even the coldest of all hearts.
I won't lie to you, the main part about the movie that I liked were the fight scenes; it's not your standard Kung-Fu, karate or boxing; it's a set of precise well calculated moves. If you've seen the Hollywood movie "taken", there appear to be some similarities between the two movies; and yet they could not be more further apart.
This movie is a roller coaster ride of blossoming friendship, despair, a revelation of the inhumanity that is still prevalent in the world today, and last but not least, of hope; that there is a light at the end of a seemingly endless tunnel.
I would recommend this movie to someone who
1. Loves action thrillers
2. Can handle brute(possibly graphic) reality
3. Is looking for something heartwarming(yes, underneath all the fighting lies a story that literally tugs at your heartstrings)
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
I have always wondered about why Korean netizens Love WonBin so much. Well this is my first WonBon movie. I have already watched a drama with him.
Anyways I found WonBin extremely HOT with all the action. The action was the BEST. Really good and convincing. I loved it. I wish it had less cursing so I could show it to my younger siblings. I bet they would LOVE it.
The storyline was not that filling but anyways I did cry a couple of times. The acting was good and touching which was the reason I also found it satisfying.
Though I gotta say that WonBins character reminded me extremely much about the American movie called "Jack Reacher", with Tom Cruise, which I found to as good as this one. I guess WonBin is my Korean Tom Cruise since Tom Cruise came first for me. AHHHHH fangirling. I keep getting images of their naked chests. DAMN that six pack. >_<
Overall I would REALLY recommend this but u gotta be aware that it has many bloody scenes. Or watch it with an eye closed sometimes. I did. xD
Was this review helpful to you?
In this movie , you see him as a cold , impassive , mysterious man who has lost his wife and child through a tragedy and his complicated , not explainable relation with a lonely , outcast girl (Soo-Mi) who lives an extremely hard life with her addicted mother !
At first you see him try hard to ignore this naughty girl but it seems that the more he tries , the more he feels that something makes him comeback to her ! But seriously what is the RELATION of a gang-like man and a poor phatic girl ?! What words can explain their feelings for eachother ?!
They both had no idea until the day (Soo-Mi) was robbed by a fix seller band and soon , (Won-Bin) sees himself trying like crazy to save them to stop another tragedy happen !
But things get harder when the police tries to find out about his REAL IDENTITY !
(Won-Bin) notices that this band has a more bloodcurding and dreadful job than selling fix !
The lighting of the movie apparently tells us that It's a DARK MOVIE , but this darkness is greatly balanced by adding some warm , heart-aching scenes .
The speed of movie rytem is not too fast nor too slow , It's exactly good enough to stick you hardly on your chair !
Every character seems unique and different from others and the actors are all drawn in their roles.
The story is original and fresh and the main massage of author seems to be the reborn of jutsice , amour and sacrifice along with discribing the dreadful , dark world of today's criminals !
I have no idea that how many times re-watching this movie would be enough !!!
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
The story behind this movie is so beautiful and every single time I have watched this movie it has hit me in the heart. The emotions this movie gives off is truly magnificent. I have watched this movie 6 times in the past couple of days. Then every single time I finish I always say, &quot;I could watch it again right now.&quot; It is just that amazing.
The acting throughout the moving is so mind blowing I cannot even get over it. All of the actors/actresses did such a fantastic job with each of their roles that every time I go back to watch, I feel the same emotions as I did the first time.
The music was absolutely an A+. It gave me adrenaline when I needed it and it gave me feelings when the time came. I truly love the ending song because it is so beautiful and the lyrics are fantastic.
I do not even need to talk much about the rewatch value, since I have watched it 6 times in a couple of days . I think that itself explains everything. (Go watch it. c:)
Not to mention that the action in this movie is so extraordinary I was not even able to keep my eyes off the screen. I would give everyone advice and tell them do not even read the description and just watch it. If anything just watch the trailer and watch it because it is even more wow without reading it.(Still wow if you read it though. It is just perfect)
The first time I watched it I wanted to tell everyone to watch it. I told a friend(they will actually be watching it this weekend), my sister, and I even told my mom to watch it. My sister liked it and even my mom did and she is not into subtitled movies and things like that.(It is just THAT good) I want this movie to be passed around and loved by everyone. Cause this movie is truly beautiful.
Was this review helpful to you?
One thing though it's not for the faint of heart, too much blood.
Many good scenes, especially when he actually starts caring, some emotional scenes with the little girl, really good.
Was this review helpful to you?
