Completed
Grumpy Witch
12 people found this review helpful
Mar 25, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
If you like action movies and you haven't seen The Man from Nowhere, I recommend giving it a try.

The Man From Nowhere blends powerful scenes with a touching story to create a great movie. The story will slowly and steadily build up to the action which will keep you at the edge of your seat.

The setting is dark which possibly hints that past, which has his neighbors coming up with different types rumors about him as it frequently happens when we don't understand something or something is unknown. Won Bin's portrayal of this mystery man is outstanding and solid.

So Mi's situation and story will captivate you and the little girl who plays her, also, did a great job with her role.

The other actors were also superb and they did a great job portraying dark characters.

The music helps the set the mood. And it never felt out of place or random.

I do wish it had ended a bit differently than it did.

There's blood and violence, if you don't like these two elements, the movie might not be for you.

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Completed
7burgerhands
6 people found this review helpful
Jul 31, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0
Though not boasting of a unique storyline, this movie definitely has a lot to offer. Won Bin played a mysterious man, definitely a character telling you there's more to him than what you actually see. The little kid, definitely a character that gets in to trouble. I think the best thing that kept the movie at top is the high-class acting by the whole cast. There is 'realistic' action in the movie, not the type where the character goes flying everywhere unscratched and a reasonable mix of gruesomeness on the sides. This is a movie that's hard to miss.
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Completed
Kachiiing
11 people found this review helpful
Jun 12, 2013
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 10
Won Bin...what a dude. Starring in easily what is one of the greatest South-Korean movies I've ever seen, if not one of the best international movies...and guess what? There is NO romance.

Shock horror. As a girl that thrives off romance, it made me consider if romance was the be-all, end-all of life. Frequently, I find myself complaining how horribly it's done, when it IS included, and here I find my answer....don't include it.

The movie, without question, didn't need it!

The biggest reason why this movie was a success, was because of the simple reason behind it. Seo-Mi (the child) is kidnapped, and Cha Tae Sik, this rather secluded pawnshop-broker suddenly erupts into the pent-up ball of man-energy, fighting like a ninja and seeking retribution. His entire motive of entering this shadowy world of drug-dealing was to safe one little girl...but it ended up so much more than that.

Yes, the movie tackles drug-dealing, child trafficking and combining them together in a neat little bow, if that's possible. The whole "harvesting organs" bit came as a total surprise, but I'm glad it was included, because that became an important issue as the others!

My most favourite scene from this beautifully created film, was the most understated. It's a scene that's around halfway through the movie, almost thrown in there as second thought, but for me, was the most cleverest scene out of the entire movie, and if I'm honest, quite a few other movies too.

Why?
Because of the two-fold subtext it provided.

It's the "breakfast" scene (or was it dinner?)....anyway, it's the one where all the children are seated around the table with the curved knife ajussi. The old crone (aka dodgy ajumma) brings in a girl, and tells her to say good-bye. She's dressed in her best clothes, and looks really healthy, and the ajumma tells everyone, she's going to a new home. The girl's parting line is: "Thanks for the nails!" waving her fingers at our very own Seo Mi, who nods her head graciously.

She gets up, and puts a plaster on ajussi's forehead. "If I'm good, do I get to see my mummy?" she asks.

BAM! WALLOP! ZING! Just like that, two subtext planted side by side. When Won Bin sees those nails again (later on the movie), we as the audience realize exactly what happened to the girl, almost step-by-step, without having to actually see it. The curved knife ajussi, with that one scene where Seo-Mi puts a plaster on him, is enough for us to understand why he did what he did, again, later on in the movie.

No superfluous scenes needed. One little kitchen scene is what made the entire movie for me, alongside great acting through-out. I think you'll see when you watch it!!

10/10. Simple as. Great movie, just goes to show romance (sometimes) is not the answer to enticing an audience ^^

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funnykoreangrl
5 people found this review helpful
Jun 11, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
I was actually afraid to watch this movie at first. My friend only told me about how violent the movie was, but nothing really else. But it turned out to be really good despite the violence.

To be truthful I don't really like serious movies. But even though this movie was serious, it was very moving also. The story plot really breaks your heart and feel for the main character. The movie is violent and is graphic in some parts. The movie overall is not for children! So if your looking for a good family movie, this may not be it.

This movie remind me a lot of Taken (staring Liam Neeson) but I will say this movie is much better! Though the plots maybe similar, Man From Nowhere is much more intense and filmed a lot better.

I do recommend this movie to all action lovers! Also if your a big fan of suspense or Won Bin, then this movie is also right for you. This has to be one of Won Bin's best!

This is not a scary movie! I didn't want to watch it at first thinking it was going to be scary, but it's not. It's a lot of fun, but the fun where you really want to keep watching! I will say, I cried at the end.

This is a must watch to all Won Bin action lovers :)

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rachel
5 people found this review helpful
Jun 10, 2013
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
This movie has a simple premise, very much like the Hollywood film Taken. The story also uncovers a pretty grisly drug and organ trafficking industry, and the way they operate, as well as the unscrupulous methods they use to avoid detection.

Won Bin is an ahjusshi on a mission. Even though the relationship between him and the girl drives the movie, they share surprisingly little screen time. Most of it is spent on him while on the chase, some of it on the villains, then some of it on the police who are on the chase for this mysterious ahjusshi and the traffickers. The action scenes are pretty exciting and I appreciate the camera work and varied angles used to give us a good idea of the frenetic pace of the fights.

I would not watch this again, if only for the gory and bloody scenes that are pretty hard to swallow. If any at all, its rewatch value probably lies in the subtly quiet and moving moments between Won Bin and Kim Sae Ron.

Won Bin seems to be quite fussy about what he works on. My guess is he will not return to K-dramaland which is frantically paced and hence exhausting. This makes every film and TV drama he has ever worked on even more precious.

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mangagirl
4 people found this review helpful
Apr 14, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
The Man from Nowhere is an action packed movie that with a good plot. The story is always moving forward there aren't any boring moments. However, it is not a movie for people who can't stand blood or gore. The movie has an excellent cast. Won Bin and Kim Sae Ron do a stellar job as the main characters.
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PickyMcpickleton
4 people found this review helpful
Nov 22, 2013
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
Man on Fire alert. Man on Fire is a movie starring Denzel Washington that is a guilty pleasure it has numerous flaws but I love it and I've watched it multiple times hence I enjoyed this movie too because it is kind of a similar plot. Oh who am I kidding it's practically the korean version of it. I did like the action here more and the fighting scenes are incredibly well done. Yes, the plot isn't exactly original and bites from a lot of western films (Taken, Man on Fire, etc) but it's still a great watch with intense fighting scenes. The adonis Won Bin starres in this as a man trying to rescue a little girl. He must battle the villains who kidnapped her in order to rescue her. That's pretty much the plot. The fact that this is an action kind of hinders what the plot can explore in terms of the underground gang business hence it is pretty much an ajeossi rescuing a little girl and in doing so saves the day. However, the selling point is the gritty atmosphere, intense action and overall thrilling moments. I did enjoy it. Yes it gave me crazy Man On Fire feels but that didn't stop me from loving this. I do recommend.

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kreserosecamille
4 people found this review helpful
Oct 30, 2013
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I really love this movie. I could say that this is REALLY my genre. Well, I also love actor Won Bin, that's why I watched this and so far, this is my favorite Korean Movie of all time. I like how the story flowed. Every single thing satisfied me. The action, the casts, the story, EVERY THING!!! Actually my favorite Korean movie is Daisy. But after watching this, it's my number one and Daisy got second place. This will really keep you watching it. This is WORTH watching, I'm telling you! :))
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Completed
eiyaah
4 people found this review helpful
Jul 10, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
my keyboard is broken but i will use on-screen keyboard so i can write anything to this movie.

well i regret not watching this in the past few days! This movie really satisfy me because of the quality the way it made is really awesome. i'm so happy because i saw another greet movie ;)apparently i desperately recommending this specially those who really love action and crime.

'__- yaah.. yaaah.. there a lot of action movie like this but still i can say from the start to the end i love this movie to the point finding my self screaming coz i'm very exited while watching it *hahaha* You can show this movie to your friend or family and surely they will love it specially to your dad but if your are to young don't watch it maybe in the right time ;0

The director,producer and stuff done really excellent job. They pick the right actors and it's really suit there characters the story is seriously one of unforgettable or something that happening in real life , the way it's created is nice and nit. The sound is something that capture your attention ^.^ , this movie is something you will watch again.

This is why i love the The Man From Nowhere , try it!^______^

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Akaisora
4 people found this review helpful
May 29, 2011
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This movie was a total surprise for me. Why? Because I thought I would dislike it. But something drew me in, and I was right to follow my instinct; the acting is fantastic by both of the leads, and the story is interesting.

It's quite a dark movie with just a few happy moments, but somehow it left me with a warm feeling.

Also, some of the supporting characters left me with a deep impression as well, one of the bad guys and the shopkeeper, even though neither of them had a lot of screen-time.

I give this movie a full 10, I was entertained, moved, and didn't take my eyes off the screen until the end.

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helkwo
4 people found this review helpful
Nov 14, 2013
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10
An awesome movie! It’s a straightforward one man against the bad guys story but it was done with style. Won Bin’s portrayal of Cha Tae-Si is perfect and he looks fabulous in fighting scenes. The interactions between Cha Tae-Si and So-Mi, the little girl in trouble is sweet. This is a well-done action movie because you end up caring about what happens to Cha Tae-Si and So-Mi. It’s so sad to think that may be there are some children living like So-Mi. It’s a rare thing when an action movie actually makes you think.
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hera
3 people found this review helpful
Aug 29, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
wow! this movie is something to watch! different side of won bin, ive never seen. that ahjussi really was mysterious, i was eager to know more and more about him. there are many flashbacks but it helped the suspense thrill and story line. if there's no flashbacks, it would be dreadful boring. I did not expect this movie to be action-packed! and i knew wonbin is someone who's good at taekwondo but never actually seen him use at least some of the skill in drama or tv or movie. this is a SHOULD WATCH movie!
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The Man from Nowhere (2010) poster

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