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Predictable "genetically engineered kids" plot with a douchey and OP protagonist
The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion has the same old redundnatly predictable plot of "genetically engineered kids" which are used in superhero fiction. Logan's X-23 comes to mind when you think about the plot of this film however, unlike X-23, Ja-yoon turns into this unlikeable and arrogant villain by the end of the film which makes you feel unsatisfied by the end of the film at its conclusion. What I don't get is why they had to call this film "The Witch" because it has nothing to do with witches in the first place. "The Witch" is just a nickname they give Ja-yoon in the film. Not to mention how the title makes it sound like a horror film. The action has a lot of cuts which pretty much lets you know as a viewer that these actors aren't trained in doing convincing action scenes. Not to mention how Ja-yoon shoots with one hand without even taking proper aim or looking while aiming. Its like she's shooting on autoaim like they do in videogames. Lol And how can we forget the cliche villain monologue that the female scientist makes. I still don't know why she injected her with that serum that lets her accelerate her powers for one month. That has to be one of the stupidest thing I've seen a villain do in fiction. XDI know these type of "genetically engineered kid with special powers" stories aren't exactly realistic but these guys aren't leaving one ounce of realism in this film. There's a reason why Logan was better (hell, its screenplay got oscar nominated) than this because not only are the characters better written and grounded on realism along with their "mutant abilities" but you feel a sense of danger for the Logan and X-23 as they are fighting off the villains in that film. Here, Ja-yoon is so overpowered to the point that you don't even care about the fight scenes because you know she's gonna predictably win by the end of the fights which she was dominating. Anyway, I would have liked this film better had there been any sense of unpredictability or danger with our main character Ja-yoon. Not to mention how much of a dick she turns out to be by the end of the film that you feel unsatisfied that she's still alive by the end of the film. Huge thumbs down from me.
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This review may contain spoilers
Man This show was everything!! I watched from a site that had some issues with the subs but I was still able to follow along. They completely underestimated her! I wanted her to destroy them for what they did to them as children.
The last scene i couldn't make out.
the mad scientist lady had a twin?
I understand she was able to synthesis the formula and recreate it. But How did she make a person that looks like her? who was that girl?
I am about to make a notice alert for Google to remind me of any updates for the 2nd part.
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Simply thrilling
I can't believe I haven't heard of this movie earlier. This movie should have more fame than it has now. As the name suggests this movie is just first part of a bigger story with a second part on the way this year. But the story, production quality, acting and the action scenes this movie offers is simply mind blowing.The movie starts out slow but it ends with a bang. I haven't seen such good quality actions sequences in many Korean dramas or movies. It even beats majority of Hollywood action movies in regards of action sequence. I rewatched the second half of the movie just for the action.
The story delves into dark corners of scientific research and the movie has supernatural elements to it and contrary to my expectations it didn't actually ruin the movie but actually enhanced certain parts of the delivery of the movie. It has some gore to it but it's not too much.
The cast and acting was also very very well done with Choi Woo Shik being placed in a character that's very unusual for him at first glance but the result being a pure success. Kim Da Mi's acting in the 2nd half was also very impressive and helped build the overall atmosphere of the movie.
They used some old school korean music in this movie which I really liked as you don't really hear them in the average movies and dramas these days and it was quite nice.
If you are into action thriller movies then I would definitely recommend it.
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plot twist
I loved it !!! They act so well togheter ,I,m really sad that he died in the end , a total plot twist , they are a work of art ,I can't imagine how they worked togheter in a romance k-drama too!!!đź’•If you are scared easily ,I think you shouldn't watch this,maybe with a friend ?
It has a lot of blood ,but It's a masterpiece,really!!!
I watched season 2 also, we want the next part !!! As soon as possible ,and Lee Jong Suk should play also ,again!!! I'm very sad that he doesn't have long hair anymore ,but it's not really a problem ,he plays his role very well and he also looks like a psycho ,really!!
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Very good casting and choice of music and storyline.
Honestly, I watched this movie because I was looking for Choi Woo Shik works and honestly this movie didn't fail me.Nothing in this movie is missing, maybe a part 2. I believe there are still pieces left to watch of this movie but the storyline per se really really really involves who's watching. Making the viewer feel every single thing that happens.
Loved the cast a lot and I really enjoyed listening to the movie soundtracks a lot. It was like a way to hypnotise me and tell me "Watch me again." I've watched it like a lot of times already.
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Very promising movie!
I was totally not expecting what I ended up seeing! I really liked this movie, very enjoyable to watch if you're looking for a Korean suspenseful/action type of movie!This movie was so interesting at first I was totally confused about why they wanted to get the girl, and then when they showed the powers I was more confused. However, the acting and the intriguing part of finding out why they wanted her so bad kept me going. Then when that plot twist, which I TOTALLY not expecting happened, I was more than SHOOK. Honestly, it was definitely the best part it had me on the edge. The only downside I'll say is the ending part, got me confused but certainly craving for more. Hopefully, I'll get to watch part 2 soon!
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RIVETING
I've changed over to Asian cinema a couple years. Other than a few select favorites Hollywood doesn't have any appeal. When I saw the title and the plot byline I was interested. Once I started watching I had to finish it through. The plot is a bit macabre but well thought out. What made the film very good is how they edited it filling the holes in the plot through flashbacks Ja-Yoon has. True its bloody but that can be said of a lot of horror and action flicks nowadays. I'm very interested if they will make additional films to this considering it was somewhat of a cliffhanger at the end. Kim Da-Mi put on a very convincing performance.Was this review helpful to you?
Mind blowing
When you think the title will be make you think that it's all about magic and witches, then you will be on the same path of me. I never thought that they would pick up such a unique storyline. It's something that we have heard about it, like experimenting on childerns. They have taken this concept to a different level. The acting, action is done so well. Can't wait for the part 2 to be released. I have high expectations, as the end is this movie is making me think how will be find a permanent solution.Was this review helpful to you?
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The first part was a bit boring, but...
The action in the first hour of the film developed very slowly. This is definitely a disadvantage for me. I watched the first part of this movie for three days because it was hard to get through it at once.The second part was more interesting. I liked the acting and the further development of the situation. While watching, I gave up on my theory that the main character remembers her childhood, so the plot twist surprised me a bit.
The movie could have been better, but I still enjoyed it. Despite this, I cannot give a higher rating because of the first half.
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WHAT A GEM
I just finished watching this movie and OMG THIS IS BLEW MY MINDS AWAY.-INTENSE, MYSTERIOUS, BLOODY.
THIS WILL DEFINITELY KEEP YOU AT THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT!!!!
KIM DAMI and WOO-SHIK micro expressions are on point, brilliant. The way they portrayed the character is flawlessly beautiful, that I was in awe for some certain moment because how precisely on point their micro expressions are. I wonder how did they acted these crazy, psychopath scenes. KIM DAMI DUALITY REALLY BLEWS MY MIND! But we can’t just leave behind WOO-SHIK PSYCHOPATH ACTING, he look crazy from the beginning.
The other characters too, need appreciations. They’re just great!! I love everyone’s acting.
The story, tbh at first I was confused. Whether to consider this has some supernatural element or not, BUT NO. It’s all the brain works, because they’re all trained, they were subject.
The little hints here and there about Ja-Yoon won’t get notice if we’re nt really paying attention to the movie. Though, at some moment I think they should’ve cut it bit more short for some scenes but all good.
OH AND THE CINEMATOGRAPHY, THE COLOUR THEME OF THIS MOVIE, LOVED IT.
I REALLY WISH KIM DAMI AND WOOSHIK WOULD BE BACK FOR THE PART 2, and new characters too. Because I saw the news, both actors aren’t coming back for part 2, or was it another actress as the main lead instead of kim dami? But I hope they’ll bringing wooshik back too though.
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My opinion
the production was good, I can't complain .I also say that the performance was incredible, it would be a sin if I complained.
I love the actors, I loved the characters.
Of course, not everything is perfect, I can't lie, but what a drama that doesn't have a single flaw.
So in conclusion, I recommend...
I say it's worth watching, maybe it's bad for some, but for me it was good.
This is just my opinion, you better watch it and have your own opinion.
I don't know what to say, because I think everyone has their own opinion.
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Fell asleep in first half but second half took a 180 turn
I watched this movie in four parts... lol the first three times, I kept falling asleep. Nothing was really happening, it was boring, and I had to get my friend to recap for me. Thank goodness my friend kept prodding me to finish it, because halfway through the movie literally goes from 0 to 105. It's all action, gore, fighting, and the main lead being OP af. If you like seeing the protagonist beat up foes, this one's for you. Story-wise, though, there's a lot missing.(Also, one of the reasons she made me watch was to see Da Mi and Woo Shik before Our Beloved Summer aired lol. I like both actors - they have young faces and bring refreshing emotions to the screen.)
PROS
❀ Good introduction to the actors | I haven't watched Itaewon Class but Kim Da Mi left an impression on lots of people and she did a good job in this movie too. Even though her character was written very lazily, she still managed to give off very intelligent and savage vibes for her character. Woo Shik was great in Parasite and in The Witch, he plays the lunatic working for the evil scientist quite well. Honestly, I'm impressed with how well he expressed the character because his lines bordered on cringe sometimes. The Witch is a testimony that movies can be successful, despite poor writing, due to the execution of the actors and the producer.
❀ Fun action, especially towards the end | Once everything gets out in the open by the middle of the movie, the action is non-stop. You basically watch the main character Goo Ja Yun beat all the bad guys up in a very satisfying way. The production quality for the action was eye-catching and vibrant, which makes up for all the boring scenes in the beginning. Like I said, the movie goes from 0 (nothing big happening) to 105 (a LOT of things happening) lol. So if you're struggling while watching, try to push through to reach that middle part.
CONS
âś• Really sloppy writing | This movie takes the idea of "genetically engineered superhuman children" and... that's it. Lol. It doesn't progress past the vague idea of one of the superhuman children turning against the researchers and nothing is deep. Main character Ja Yun wants to live and protect her foster parents. That means getting rid of the people after her. Solution? Kill those people. I'm a huge fan of sci-fi and have seen this vague storyline done 10+ times through Western books/movies/etc. The Witch: Subversion doesn't offer anything new, unfortunately, nor does it stand out against the myriad of stories with the same theme. The story doesn't have depth, the characters barely have depth, and the superhuman plot is not used to its potential. Everything about this movie just screams "shallow."
OVERALL
Honestly I feel like you shouldn't watch it until Part 2 comes out. Part 1 ends in a cliffhanger, there's barely a storyline going on, and the characters felt like caricatures. The reasons I kept watching were 1) my friend basically forcing me and 2) the main actors. The action towards the end and the female lead kicking ass make it worth the watch, but everything else is a hazy memory in my mind.
(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)
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