Completed
Cheer
46 people found this review helpful
Feb 14, 2014
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
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.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Myd
7 people found this review helpful
Sep 5, 2015
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
<< A Single Location , Thriller Masterpiece ! >>
We all have some expectation when It comes to a thriller action movie !
Well , there are always certain standards for stirring shocking action which won't let you leave your seat till the movie gets to the closing credits ! These standards (which were mostly defined by best-selling Hollywood action projects) are : shooting guns , breathtaking fights , cazy chasing cars , jumping from one building to another ... and many many other supper effective factors which turn almost any movie to a best-selling money-maker one !
But when it comes to "The Terror Live" , we see the whole movie is there to grin at all these factors using ONLY ONE ROOM AS LOCATION , focusing on it's admirable cinematography , Increasing suspension , greatly written dialogs , dramaticly amazing acting skills while referring to a cruelly ignored demand of an ordinary citizen who happens to cause a tragic hostage on Han River's bridge as a psycho kidnapper!
When I started watching this movie , I had no idea what it was about ! I didn't know the story-plot or the casts ... and you know what , I'm glad I didn't ! I mean I'm not sure if I would watch it , knowing it's a single location thriller movie with unfamiliar actors ! I mean , I might have find it boring or even not worth it . But surprisingly , from the first moment until the very last , I was starring at the screen wide-eyed and open-mouthed , feeling so lucky to have the great chance of watching this movie by accident !
"Ha Jeong Woo" whom I was honored to know through this movie , couldn't stop showing his amazing acting skills ! He was naturaly confident and professionally expert at showing every kind of emotion and EXACTLY knew what he was doing in front of those cameras ! Cause the whole movie takes place in the room he's at , and the camera zooming is on his face for more than one hour , he had one of the hardest roles ever !!! the failure or the success for "The Terror Live" almost totally depended on him ... And he truly MADE IT !
Based on Wikipedia : This movie became a great hit as soon as it was released in South Korea . It was also goodly attentioned by foreign audiences and received many positive critiques from reviewers around the world.
I'm pretty sure I'll watch this movie again and again , as it's the first and maybe last single location movie I enjoyed every second of ! And I recommend it to you and everyone else who's seeking for something SPECIAL and different to watch.
At last let me send my Congrats to the director on his powerful and excellent way of directing.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
rachel
4 people found this review helpful
Sep 27, 2014
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 5.5
If I were asked to describe this movie concisely, it is as if Paul Greengrass made a movie about the 9/11 attacks in New York. Paul Greengrass is the man who made the movies Captain Philips and United 93, both action thrillers which were gripping and moving.

I was kept on the edge of my seat because I just didn't know what would happen next. The terror was real. At some moments, I even gasped out loud. At one point, the story almost moved into territory that conspiracy theorists would have loved, but thankfully the movie steered away from that very quickly. I was quite satisfied with the ending and the way Ha Jung Woo's character arc was resolved. There are some moments where the movie seems to be trying to tug at your heartstrings, but thankfully they are minimal, so that the movie didn't descend into melodramatic territory.

Ha Jung Woo plays the central character. His character was an ordinary man thrust into the most extraordinary circumstances, and he grabbed the opportunity to be a witness to an important event. His performance is the most important to the movie. He is a quintessential action star and he doesn't disappoint.

If you enjoyed Captain Philips, United 93 and The Bourne Identity, you will probably enjoy this.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Shay
1 people found this review helpful
Jan 21, 2017
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
WOW! After watching a number of disappointing movies on my search for thrillers, I was happy to have found The Terror Live. This is what I call a THRILLER.

Let me start by saying, this one wasn't too high up on my to watch list because the description made me go? One room, a guy reporting = thriller?? No thanks. But boy was I wrong.

If you liked the 2002 film Phone Booth, then you will definitely will love this movie. It has everything a thriller needs - the suspense, the twists, the build ups, and a story line that keeps you on the edge the from the very beginning to the end.

The movie also makes you question a lot and there's a really blurred line between good/bad, right/wrong, which will keep you conflicted about "justice" the whole time. The style of the movie is great because I couldn't really predict the sequence of events or what action the main lead and the criminal would take.

I think I need to take a step back and applaud Ha Jeong Woo because I don't think another actor could have pulled it off the same way as him. His acting really added to the intensity of the movie, and I was pretty much pulling my hair out alongside him. (going to be on the lookout for this actor now...)

If I rewatched this after a while, I feel like I would have the same intense feelings, and that's how you know it's a good thriller. Watch if you're looking for an interesting, fast-paced, and non-traditional thriller!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Achyut Prashast Singh
1 people found this review helpful
Mar 18, 2018
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.5
South Korean cinema is getting better day-by-day. The best example includes this stunning action thriller THE TERROR LIVE. With a watertight screenplay and top notch production values along with terrific action sequences and razor sharp editing, this is the South Korean cinema at its best. Ha Jung-woo, one of my favourite actors, too leaves no stone unturned to prove it as his best film till date.

THE TERROR LIVE is a very gripping film since the very beginning. There are a lot of unexpected surprises that come on the way. The editing is very tight as there's not even a single second wasted in introducing or developing the characters. It doesn't take much of a time to connect to the film and the lead characters. At some portions, the thrills are so amazing that one might just not be able to move!

The story and screenplay of THE TERROR LIVE seem to be something never attempted in the history of cinema before. The film is quite unpredictable and takes you by surprise every second it unfolds. The action sequences are executed brilliantly and realistically along with tension being well built.

Ha Jung-woo is really excellent in his performance. Other supporting actors deliver good performances. The film has nothing that would disappoint you. The technical aspects and production values are top notch. The visuals and cinematography are impressive, and climax of the film is excellent.

There's no doubt that THE TERROR LIVE is South Korean cinema at its best. Do nothing: just go and watch this amazing, gripping, engaging and mindblowing action thriller as soon as you can!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
kdramadreaming
1 people found this review helpful
Aug 9, 2021
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Terrific thriller!

The Terror, Live (2013)

A gripping thriller from start to finish!! I was so tense, i didnt know how this would end. ?

A guy called up Yoon Yeonghwa's radio program threatening to bomb the Mapo Bridge and he did! Instead of reporting to police, Yeonghwa instead tried to talk to the caller for an exclusive coverage. Will they be able to find the caller before he kills more people?

The whole movie takes place in Yeonghwa's radio show. Ha Jung Woo is always amazing ?

Of course there are a lot of unbelievable events like how the terrorist was able to plant so many bombs everywhere, and even the twist of who it was, was.. not so surprising, but more on disbelief on my side. There also wasnt enough background about the terrorist to feel sympathy for him or understand how he planned everything. The voice was so familiar that i was surprised when the real culprit was shown. Turns out #KimDaeMyung was the voice actor!!

It also makes you think if you were Yeonghwa, what would you have done? How can you resolve the terror while minimizing the damage? I still think the terrorist was wrong but i can understand why he did it. And the last thing that Yoon Yeong Hwa did ?

Rating: 9/10

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Ritu Sharma
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 23, 2020
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

You know india is making a movie on it

Kartik Aaryan my favourite actor is working on this movie I hope it will go well and I will able to see it early and faster . I can't wait . Kartik Aaryan is an Indian actor whom I like the most and now korean movie are my personal bais I am waiting for this combo it will come in 2021 it still has time . And as I know it may contain kriti Sanon also . There nothing better than this . I don't know so much about it but this the only information. Since it is forcing me to write 500 word I will like to describe my favourite actor.
Kartik Aaryan he is famous and talented actor in india he is known as one of the chocolate boy of industry . I specially love his move pyaar ka punchnama . pyaar means love in hindi ( indian language) and punchnama means story of animals rest I left on you how you pronounce or think of this movie I love it then pati patni aur woh ( husband, wife and other ) then luka chuppi ( hide and seek ) and love aaj kal ( love in these days ) ok bye my hands are paining. I will not write (HOPE YOU LIKE THE REVIEW) ohh I wrote it . Left it it was my thought hope your day goes in the way you want .

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Abie
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 3, 2016
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10
This movie is really good. The story and the cast are really great. The Terror Live is different from the other movies of his kind. Definitely recommend it!
Was this review helpful to you?
The Terror Live (2013) poster

Details

Statistics

  • Score: 8.1 (scored by 2,114 users)
  • Ranked: #1840
  • Popularity: #3397
  • Watchers: 3,880

Top Contributors

26 edits
23 edits
14 edits
8 edits

Popular Lists

Related lists from users
Crime/Politial Dramas
341 titles 144 loves
Recommended Korean Movies
122 titles 34 loves

Recently Watched By