Even though I felt that it was lacking in something on the surface, that I couldn't quite pinpoint, it still had a lot of depth and talent in pulling the viewers heartstrings. The three main actors all did an amazing job which made the story more believable and worth remembering. Over all, it has that dark atmosphere running through almost the entire movie and even though it's more slow paced than the trailer made it out to be, it is definitely worth your time and it will most likely leave you wanting to re-watch it later on (or at least with a craving to recommend it to everyone you know).
Was this review helpful to you?
It’s true that the American version has better visuals because…duh, it was produced four years after Infernal Affairs but the original remains the best. Anyhow, I am not here to compare both versions; let’s talk about this movie.
Infernal Affairs is about the underground world, the triads and the moles. This is probably the best undercover story ever written; the developments created a race against time to reveal the moles within the gang and the police. This is a fast paced rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The suspense element was flawless but the mystery built up was somehow lacking that’s why the storyline didn’t manage to get the perfect score.
Like any other action movie, this one contains violence and brutal killing sometimes but I wouldn’t categorize it as a violent movie. This is basically a thriller-crime mixed up with well-made suspense with the undercover theme as its center.
The acting was quite remarkable, with Tony Leung and Andy Lau as main leads you’re bound to expect something with quality and they surely didn’t disappoint. They were both great in portraying their role and delivering feelings; nothing less from two of the best actors in HKC productions. Other actors like Anthony Wong and Eric Tsang were also quite good and pretty convincing.
This movie’s characterization was the major strength point beside the clever writing of course. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I say that all characters will be able to to get your full intention whether they were the good guys or the villains. The writers succeeded in creating top-notch characters’ development that will make you relate with each and every one of them.
The music was fitting for a suspense thriller movie; I also liked the “Shi Shey” song that was played in the background, it was really calming.
Watch this if:
-You’re looking for good suspense thriller with unexpected twists and turns.
- You’re fond of undercover themed stories.
- You’re in the mood for good screenwriting and compelling storyline.
- You like Andy Lau, Tony Leung or both them. This shouldn’t be missed for both of their fans.
Do not expect:
-Happy ever after ending.
- Romance.
All in all, this movie is wonderfully made since it can draw you into the world of darkness and make you strongly attached to its characters and events. If you like the genres, I can guarantee that this movie will manage to move you one way or another.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
If I have to describe the Terror Live in one sentence I would say: One room, an anchor, a terrorist, a live broadcast and lots of thrills.I have been waiting for this ever since it first came out and I can say that I am quite satisfied. The story of this film is located in one room, the radio station, this may seem so little for a thriller to happen but I take that as a positive point because the non-diversity of locations forced the focus on the plot and dialogues instead which is a great thing. The Terror Live builds a great tension and thrilling moments that it may even feel suffocating in a good way.
The film starts out very fast without the meaningless time-filler introductions; it was engaging ever since the first minutes and it kept drawing the attention until the very end. This film doesn’t contain any dull moment and you can never think that it became boring because the order of displaying events was quite well-done in a way that will make you anxious about what will happen next. Also, the messages delivered in this film concerning the government, mass media and terrorists as well as the questions it asks about their involvement are well-crafted. And no, this is nothing like any terror anything you’ve seen before since it doesn’t follow a stereotypical pattern at all.
The acting was marvelous. Ha Jung Woo proves, once again, what great of an actor he is. I always praise him in my reviews not because I am biased with him as a fan girl (although I do find him quite charming) but it’s due to his absorbing acting skills that keep getting better and better after each film he makes. And man does thriller roles suit him so well! I am complimenting the acting because if some pretty face idol who doesn’t know how to act did this type of role then everything would have went downhill that’s why choosing great actors is one the most important elements of making a successful film.
The characters were intriguing and very well-done as a whole. There’s no hero in this film because our male lead is almost an anti-hero instead of the opposite side. The anchor had the greatest character developments ever where he started as a sloppy carefree radio host then he became a serious anchor and at the end…Well, it’s a spoiler.
The cinematography is catching and pretty similar to recent Korean thrillers visuals with only little CGI used in the process. And I don’t think a second rewatch of a tight suspense film is a good idea.
Watch if:
-You’re in the mood for a great suspense thriller.
-You like the Korean way of making thrillers.
-You like Ha Jung Woo or want to discover him.
Do not watch if:
-You dislike thrillers and suspenseful stories.
The Terror Live is one of the better Korean thrillers made in recent years, if you want to watch this film then make sure to prepare yourself for an astounding ride.
Was this review helpful to you?
This film has a very 40's film noir feelng and it's nicely shot. The costumes and set design are pretty to look at as well. The story interested me because living in America, you don't often get a good history of World War II seen from other points of view during that time. There was a lot going on in the world at that time; in China, Spain and Russia not just the major players like England, France, Germany, Japan and so on.
The sex scenes are intense but they lent themselves to the relationship of the two involved. Through their passionate affair you watch the spy and the target fall victim to what happens when you become physically intimate with someone. Feelings inevitably get involved. There were some scenes frought with tension as you watch the woman get in over her head in the name of her cause.
I'm giving this a 10 for great acting, directing and script. This is a very well done film. There is a reason why it was nominatd for so many awards including Best Foreign Film by The Golden Globes and BAFTA.
Was this review helpful to you?
This story is supposedly based on a true story and can I just say this is a complete tear jerker. My friends kept pushing me into watching this and even though it's sad, I am so glad I decided to watch it.
This movie is just an amazing story about ones first love. It teases you with so much happiness and then just stabs you in the heart with sadness. I think it hurts a little more inside when you realize this based off true events.
I loved the cast. I really liked Miura and Yui together. There were those awkward acting scenes but I've grown used to them after watching so many dramas. But their chemistry was pretty good. I liked the supporting cast as well. Their characters were shown just enough and all blended well together.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone and if you are still iffy about watching this, just watch it..with a box of tissues of course
Was this review helpful to you?
It is cute all over, it doesn't bore you, it doesn't make you skip any parts, it enters your heart, grows inside and leaves happily.
I am neutral about the music, there was a german song in the beginning, it was quite fun to watch Daikichi's fantasy and the music fitted it but other than that one song i don't really remember others, means they don't really stand out.
the story is nice, i love Daikichi and Rin's relationship. they do no cuddling, no "i love you so much daddy" but you just feel the love. It is the success of both the story and the actors.
so if you want to have a change of your cliché someone-dying, someone-fighting-so-hard-for-love movies, take the shot, you won't regret it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Definitely recommended!
Was this review helpful to you?
First, the story.This is not the typical shoujo romance that you see hitting theatres. It's psychological and it's serious. The story isn't sugarcoated for something it is not in the manga and it is not that way in the movie either. It's about friendship and emotional struggle and love with a little bit of fantasy, yes, but it is also about something much darker and much scarier. (Not sure if I can write anything more than that without spoiling.)
The cast for the film was actually flawless; I have never been more impressed with a shoujo adaptation cast in my life. Every member of the cast fit into their role perfectly, whether you are a reader of the original manga or not. Not only are their appearances on point, but their actually acting is excellent. This film has very emotional content and there is never a moment where you are cringing because they are not able to properly convey the strong feelings of the characters. I was especially impressed with Yamazaki Kento, who plays Kakeru. Though he has been acting for several years, he is still a young and coming actor. Yet he was able to portray the complex and serious feelings that Kakeru goes through throughout the movie. Yet again I will repeat though that the whole cast was actually flawless.
I already mentioned the music videos by Sony and that is the only song that has left an impression on me from this movie. It is called 'MIrai' which means futurein Japanese, but is more of a distant future. Musically the song is beautiful as well as symbolically. The first time I heard it I cried.
With my raging reviews, why the 9.5/10 for rewatch value? I'm terrified that the movie will lose the magic. It's happened to me with other movies before. None the less this movie is actually the best movie I have seen this year easily. As soon as everyone can watch it from their countries, please do so! :)
**Edit: Now that I am rereading the manga I am noticing the things that the movie lacked. That being said, since the movie is an adaptation it should be expected that they cannot fit everything into the time limit. However...I am starting to wonder if the scene that basically says why the story is called Orange was in the movie...This does not matter for emotional value but it would be nice for people that only watch the movie to understand the title right?? XD
Was this review helpful to you?
This movie is perfect with just the light and bitter-sweet music and perfect, so perfect acting, the colors it has, the beautiful yellow and deep blue, the calm air it has around...the words are distracting...
If you think you are going to watch a story how a girl made a human out of a boy raised/born as a wolf, you are so far away from what you are going to see in this movie. This is a story about people, how some people look like monsters and are the most humane beings you could find, this is a story about people that look nice, but the worst monsters you could have the misfortune to meet... this is a story about choice and responsibility we bear for every person we meet in our life, how our smallest action can influence their life, how their action - could influence yours, how careful you should be with the words you use, as you never know what it will mean for the person before you...
I am really fighting for words with my brain to explain in what a mess I am right now, this movie just blew the air out of me, and I am really fighting to bring a string of cohesive thought back into my head (that is full of guitars, alphabet letters, yellow fields and blue forests, books and sweaters, shoe-laces and pencils, and finally JoongKi's eyes, oh, those eyes...)
In the beginning I mentioned about the words in the movie, well, believe it or not, JoongKi says only 10 words in the movie (and you'll be sane enough to hear only 1 of them, as then you'll still be holding on, but when the other 9 will be said, you'll be... as I was... weeping into you blanket/pillow, not to wake your parents...)
This movie was one of the most beautifully shot movies I have ever seen, so much calmness and so many colors...
Was this review helpful to you?
They have made some differences in the movie, like Cao Guang being the same person with Zhen Shui Wu Xiang (the ex of Wei Wei in the game) but is well connected.
I liked more Wei Wei played by Angela Baby, she portrayed more effectively her emotions and feelings.
Jing Boran hasn't the charm of Yang Yang (main actor of the drama) but he played very well the role of Xiao Nai and I liked that Xiao Nai was more talkative and smiled more often in the movie. :D ;)
The scenes inside the game were amazing, it made you feel like you were playing the game together with them. Especially the battle with the dragon in the game was awesome.
Its perfect movie especially if you are an online game fan :P ;) its modern, romantic and sweet without any dramas and it focus more on the online game world.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
I was glad to see some fine acting from Jo Bo Ah, nothing like her performance in Shut Up: Flower Boy Band. Looks like she is maturing as an actress and I look forward to her next movies. She took a serious challenge with this role and I must confess I was worried she might not have what it takes YET to pull it off. But she did! And her chemistry with Jang Hyuk was beyond my wildest expectations, more so as their age gap IRL is 15 years and he is such a sunbae to her!!! They are both smoking hot and manage to suck the viewer into the story and keep him holding his breath most of the time.
Yes, you have some mature content and violent scenes here and there, but nothing gratuitous! Let's face it: you cannot dive into the depths of human mind and soul without getting a bit dirty in the process. Lust, obsession, betrayal, guilt, revenge are not easy to portrayal, nor digest. So beware!
I majored in Psychology (plus my father is a PE teacher LOL), so I liked this movie very much, but it sure won't be everyone's cup of tea. However it's worth watching and you won't get bored for sure.
Was this review helpful to you?
The story is about forgiveness and understanding. The two characters meet under unique circumstances and initially don't seem to get along. Yet, there's something each of them holds that can help the other. The lead female is a psychology major and the male lead is a criminal. Of course, she can help him in the obvious way: make him reflect on his mistakes and change his ways to lead a new life. But that would make for a simple and plot, so there's something more... There's something he doesn't know he can help her with until she shares her story. The misunderstandings they have of each other clear up and he wants to do whatever he can to help her as well. The way each character develops is what keeps you watching.
The acting is great! The cast members each do an excellent job portraying their characters - esp Dong Won and Na Young. They will have you bawling by the end of it but you will love it - especially if you like tear-jerkers.
I watched this movie when I first started watching Korean dramas back in 2007 an I've re-watched it over a couple times and still don't mind re-watching it with people who haven't seen it. It's a movie that does NOT lose it's re-watch value.
Was this review helpful to you?
I really like the characters and the male lead to me, was just adorable. He isn't your typical korean tough guy/asshole, and he actually has a soft squishy side which I found made him more lovable. Yes, you may watch this if you're looking for eye candy.
I really don't have any complaints at all about the movie, it's definitely a must watch if you're into anything and everything romance like I am, especially if you're sick and tired of your typical lame kiss scenes that seem all too common in Korean TV; because these ones are very real and very passionate.
If you don't mind sex, vulgar language, and nudity then give this a shot, you'll laugh and go "aww" at the same time.
Was this review helpful to you?
The action scenes were fun to watch and well executed but I was blown away by the comedic acting that Kim Soo Hyun presented. I never thought I'd be laughing so hard when I went to see this. Park Ki Woong was perfect in his role as a aspiring musician and also provided a lot of laughs. Lee Hyun Woo really was definitely the right choice for the role of the high school aged spy and his character's back-story was my personal favourite. Also the movie really showed the difference between idol actors and "real" actors in my opinion. I just can't imagine the movie being so good if they had used idols. The acting by these 3 rising stars was amazing and they just proved yet again how talented they really are.
Although I would have probably liked a different ending, I walked out of the theater happy. In fact, when the movie ended I was simply left wondering when it will be released on DVD because it has a huge rewatch value in my opinion - and is the type of movie that I would make everyone around me watch ^^
I'd recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good action film or a comedy. While there is a little bit of romance, it is definitely not an important/big part of the story.
Warning: this movie contains a lot of eye candy. not recommended for the weak at heart ;)
Was this review helpful to you?
Recent Discussions
-
Who Do You Prefer? (Kpop Ver.)5 minutes ago
-
Last Drama You Completed? #212 minutes ago
-
What order do I watch the My Beautiful Man series?15 minutes ago
-
Xiang Liu and Xiao Yao’s Story and Romance31 minutes ago
-
Xiang Liu and You (Yes, You)43 minutes ago