LeejLicious
The Netherlands
It had potential...
Hyped up but I was let down at some points.The story is overused. I understand that they tried to put a twist in it to make it seem interesting. That's is where it goes wrong, a 'simple' story would have been nice here, because nothing is better than a good written story without too many twists and turns about a guy finding his identity.
I also see that in seeming more Korean movies they used American or white actors speaking mostly English. Stop please, you guys have given us great classic movies without those nonsense.
I must say I do applaud them for taking an insanity amount of one shots. That requires great planning, timing and also needs to be flawless. I loveeeee one shots, but also.. This movie took it too far. Extremely shakey camerawork, too many angles in one shot and at times also budget CGI.
Overall I wanted to love this movie, the effort and work. But it was in all aspects too much.
Too much one shots, too much wanting a complex storyline and too much of wanting American influences.
Watch this if you want gory, action packed movie with loads of one shots.
Skip this if you looking for quality (sorry).
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It had potential with capital HAD.
Damn, I wanted to like this movie so bad but sadly I didn't. To be honest the storyline isn't new or refreshing, but if executed well, this could be another 'man from nowhere' but it failed. The story wanted to intertwine too badly, there were scenes that were out of place in my opinion. I would have loved to see way more of Song Ji Ho's perspective instead of focussing on Ma Dong Seok (whom I love). I didn't like it either that I saw some tiny movie mistakes (scene starts in the evening and the next shot is brigh day, too bad).The cast however is well picked, they were not the one to fail in my opinion, its the storyline and overal directing of this movie that had failed the cast. Also the movie was quite predicatble.
The music is what I expect from these kind of movies; a little bit dark and mysterious.
I would not rewatch this movie, only if someone would ask me to watch with them.
Watch this if you like kidnapping movies.
Skip this if you expect top quality.
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This movie sucked me in after one solid minute and liked it to the last. It made me think of movies from Donny Yen and Iko Uwais. There are too few of them and Bruce Khan delivered it for Korea.
The story: Allright, this was the only thing that was kind off lacking. We all know this setting too well (for me it works) but something else would have been nice. Also I had trouble liking the child-actress, her acting was good but the character dislikeable. One moment she appeared younger, than older, she was messy and than clean etc.
I do think that this movie could be +1 hour longer with a good story from their flashbacks, it would made this movie a whole bunch better.
But, I loved the way they directed this movie. I can see the efford they put in, trying to make one scene cuts and filming from different perspectives it gave me 100% flashbacks from the movie form Uko Uwais: Raid 1 & 2.
The acting/cast: Well I'm going to fill this part in only about Bruce Khan. He did an splendid job, having only 5 lines throughout the movie, he still managed to be understandable. Do not forget, this Bruce is 50 years old and managed to nail every form of differend forms martial arts, judo, boxing, sword fighting etc. I think that is honorable and amazing! I 100% believe that we are going to see him much more on screen, he deserves it.
The music was fitting and I would 100% rewatch this movie, solely because I love these kinds of movies.
Watch this: If you like mixed martial arts movies and if you are okay with not such an indepth storyline.
Skip this: if you can't handle blood, there is alot.
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It's a mix of everything, but be warned it is bloody! When the movie started they all ready had me sucked into it. I had questions, was intrigued by the format and loved it all the way.
Why? It had serious dark vibes, I love movies that make you think and wonder, questioning the main leads every move. the scenery was well done, the build up was even better, but I do think they lost some of it during a too long scene in the movie which was quite bloody.
I do find that they have picked very well fitted actors for the roles, nobody seemed too out of place and I loved Kim Da Mi and this movie might be a step up for more roles for her, she did great!
What also helped the movie was the well fitted music. It was building the tension immensely!
Watch this: if you like thriller/action movie with a dark tone and a twist here and there.
Skip this: Only if you don't like blood, if not, just give it a try.
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I would not recommend to watch this movie without watching the original series (preferably the brotherhood version or the manga).
The story is one big mess, I see what they tried to do but it failed. First of all it would have been better for the story -and character development to put this in a three or four part movie of 2 hours instead one single movie. They left out so many key-elements in the movie and on top of that, the movie didn't explain the elements that were there at all! I can imagine that someone who didn't watch the anime would drop this movie in an instant. The story was fast paced which didn't give the viewer much room to get connected to the characters or understand their actions. They also put in very important characters and didn't use them at all (like the three villains). Almost everyone was lacking a background story. The end was so extremely rushed that I felt really unfulfilled.
BUT, I really loved the tiny things that they perfectly picked up on. For example all the clothes that everyone wore, the logo's that were shown and even how some characters walked or put their glasses back on; these were spot on. I loved the scenery and the CGI wasn't bad either.
Sadly this didn't save the movie, and I am dissapointed and I really tried to like it so badly but it failed.
Watch this: If you want it to give a try.
Skip this: if you thought this would be the live-action movie of the year.
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Sometimes the movie became confusing as there were many "sides" to this story. Also what I think that should have given this movie more power is to focus more on the act that happend itself and why. I am not too sure that it was that believe-able to put in so many country problems at the same time in the movie. . I am intrigued by the political standpoint it takes and I found that very interesting on the other hand. Still I liked the way the movie proceeded and the story did develop over time, but they should focus more on the main point instead side points.
Dont let Lee dong Suk Lure you in as "he is a pretty boy" and all that. In this movie he is not the flower boy, I despised him in this movie, so in fact he played his role perfectly. Him and the others acted very well in this movie. I liked that they gave Lee Dong Suk this role and they should do that more often.
The story is dark, not noir dark, but damn dark. This movie isn't for everyone because it includes loads of blood and no scene is blurred out, so be carefull.
Watch this movie if you are into gory, revenge seeking dark thrillers.
Don't watch this for Lee Dong Suk's pretty face and you won't find any trace of romance in here.
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The story is bonechilling, because it is based on true events. Knowing this fact this movie will move you to tears, at least I did. I sat on the edge of my seat, my anger grew at times and I could feel the despair.
The cast was also marvellous. I felt with them though every emotion and made their characters jump out of this movie. They did a honor for the family who sadly had gone through these events.
The music fitted every scene and I would 100% rewatch this movie.
Everyone should watch this, because it's based on real events, it opens up your eyes and you'll be in a rollercoaster ride with this movie!
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The Exclusive: Beat The Devil's Tattoo
0 people found this review helpful
At first liked the story but it isn't a powerfull one, I wish it had more guts and feeling to it, this could have been a great movie, but the missed some essential keys to make this movie better. First they should focus on one or two major topics, instead they threw in some not-essential stuff which made the movie go haywire, (I can't tell you because it would spoil the movie). Because of these extra's the acting wasn't too great either.
However I did feel along with the main actor, I could feel the despair and at a point he made me almost pull my hair out from frustration, so he saved this movie for me.
Also they could have send a very powerfull message about the media, how they use it to trick people and we should not believe all the news, but they failed to deliver that which is a shame.
Watch this if you like movies about the media and a good main lead.
Skip this if you want a in-depth movie with action, romance and if you don't like blood.
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The story is marvellously written, in the movie the topic that was handeled can be seen in the real life food industry and that makes the story utterly sad. It is an unique movie, because it is realistic in a certain way.
The story picks up fast and in the last hour it leaves out no time to proceed fast, I wished they stayed on some scenes longer to give more of an impact but that is just a minor flaw in my opinion.
The cast was amazing and I really appreciated the collab between Korean actors and American ones. It was difficult in the beginning because Jake's acting was too much, but that is the way Bong Joon-Ho produces its movies and I am happy he stayed true to himself.
The music was beautiful at certain scenes, not all of them.
Overall I really liked this movie, certainly ones that impact me (it left me crying) but also made me think about the food industry. In my opinion I don't see this as a propaganda but as a supernatural movie with a deep message, it makes a valid point.
Watch this and you won't be dissapointed, try to look over the over-reacting actions from some actors but see the message behind this movie.
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The story is easy to follow and really lighthearted. Nothing complicated or action filled here, just grab a cup of tea and enjoy this cheesy melodrama, just don't have any expectations. This is a movie you can watch without your full attention. They added the vampire part in to make it seem interesting, but it would have a good job without it.
The cast and acting was fine, nothing to write big about it was just enough for this movie. The main-leads are adorable to watch.
The music was okay and I might rewatch this movie when I feel bored.
Watch this if you are looking for a lighthearted, easy to follow, cheesy melodrama.
Skip this if you want an action packed, emotional, vampire-hunting movie.
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The story is about work pressure, and since I am from the EU (where the work pressure is quite low) I found this movie interesting. The story is slow paced, but shows from every person a back story and you can possibly relate to them. Sadly the execution was a bit messy, there were a few flaws and real movie mistakes. That said, I could feel the suspension throughout the movie.
The actors all did a very well job, I wish some had more time to develop their character.
I didn't found the music pleasing at all times, and I don't think I would rewatch this movie.
Watch this if you like suspense / mysterie movies.
Skip this if you want a clear answer at the end of a movie.
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This is one of the best zombie movies in the world. Yes it all has the same old same story, its lighthearted. But not all movie directors can make it so perfectly like they did here. The actors were amazing, all of them. I said 'wtf' troughout the whole movie, I could feel my heart pumping, heck, I am even sweating!
The music added so much emotion and tumult in this movie. It has the loads of action, thrilling scenes, gory parts and hair-raising parts troughout this movie.
Why am I so ridiculously excited? The good pacing of this movie, you get sucked into it the minute you watch it. The actors whom all did an excellent job, they were convincing, Ma dong Seok is like always the freaking badass. Everyone had their time and story in this movie. The CGI was greatly made and the actors of the zombies felt so real, the nasty bone breaking scenes and blood everywhere. The music added so much tension in everyscene.
I would rewatch this movie any day and I do think this will be one of first Korean movies to be seen around the globe, because here in my home town, where they never heard of Kdrama land, now knows about this movie.
A 100% must watch!
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I have not watched many South v.s. North - Korean movies, but I greatly enjoyed this one. It has a well written story with a good pace in it. Unexepectedly it has loads of humour in this movie, but it does end on a serious note! This movie is so great because it combines two opposites, smiling and crying! This is a well produced drama.
The actors were marvelous, I loved both of the main-leads. I could from both expect were they were coming from, this movie is also great because of the age gap between the two!
Music is making the movie, and fills in the dorky parts well.
I would rewatch this movie!
Watch this if you like movies about the Korean war period an humour/comedy
Skip this if you expect romance, or if you want a 100% non comedy movie.
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The story is really unique in the Korean movie business. I personaly have seen many American ones about exorcism but never one in Korean, so I really liked that. It gives you from start untill end a myserious vibe. The dark themes, the buildings and actors helped greatly in giving off this creepy feeling. But, I wish they didn't threw in some unessecary things (the past of Choi & Kim VS. rest of the fathers).
The could have threw it in there, but they should have build more development around those extra side stories, so I am quite dissapointed in that.
The cast was splendid, I love Kang Dong Won's work and Park So Dam is alsy a great actress, she can fill in any type of role in a movie! Even though the action is in the last 40 minutes of the movie the actors keep you interested.
The music really fitted the 'exocrism' theme, so this also helped building up tension in this movie.
Watch this if you like exorcism and a bit gory movie.
Skip this if you expect romance and full on action.
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They missed the whole point that could have made this movie into a masterpiece, just focus on the main leads and build up the story from beginning to the end.
Instead they are throwing persons in the middel of the movie, the story is nowhere to be found and I have questions about everyones past, because in this movie their past is essential.
It such a let down because even tho the story overal sucks ass they are greatly acting, it had all the elements (actors/movieplay/based on a great novel) but they failed.
There was almost no music in the story so that also failed to build up any triggering emotions.
I would not rewatch movie.
Watch this soley if you love Ikuta Toma's work, but don't expect too much.
Skip this.. well just skip it.
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