1High entertainment value and not much more
I feel the same way about this movie as I did about its prequel. They are fun and action-packed. There's nothing inherently wrong with them, no big flaw that will make you frown, in fact you'll even have a good time watching them. Despite that, there's nothing that makes them particularly great or memorable either.I watched Veteran 1 eight years after its original release so I had to take that into account and recontextualize, think about what kind of movies were being made back then. It made it harder to judge it. However, when it comes to this prequel I can confidently say this: it would've been an amazing film had it come out a decade (or more) earlier. But it's 2024 and it feels like Veteran 2 brings nothing new to the table. It isn't novel or fresh in any aspect, be it in terms of writing or execution.
It was extremely predictable, as in you can figure out the plot and most twists in the first twenty minutes or so. It feels like I've seen this very same story or variations of it many times before in books, TV shows or other movies. Obviously, its selling point isn't its originality—it's not supposed to revolutionize the genre—but rather its entertainment value, and it certainly delivers on that front.
The acting is good, as you'd expect from this cast; seeing Jung Hae In in this kind of role is fun. The execution, while far from being mind blowing, is still very clean: the movie looks great for sure, and there's some nice cinematography here and there. The OST wasn't anything note-worthy, I honestly didn't even notice it (which isn't necessarily a flaw for this type of film). I thought the choreography for action scenes was pretty neat too.
When it comes to the plot, as I mentioned earlier this isn't where the movie shines (we're quite literally told that the whys don't even matter), but the story is definitely well-paced and the comedic moments should at least get you to smile or snort.
There are some references to the prequel as well, although you don't need to watch it to understand this (but I'll always recommend watching prequels before sequels). They've also added some depth to Seo Do Cheol's character. Nothing too big but it was just the right amount imo. I liked Park Sun Woo as a character too but there were a few things that were kinda questionable to me.
Overall I slightly preferred Veteran 2 over its prequel, but I also got to watch it on the big screen so that might've played a part. I think it's up to personal preferences at this point because both are quite similar.
In the end it's a popcorn movie. You watch it because it's entertaining, not because it's a masterpiece. It suits the characters and the story: it's not a bad thing. Not all movies need to be 10/10 philosophical pieces. Movies like these are important and worthy in their own way; they should be made. I just wish there had been something, anything, to make the plot a tad bit more original, because this is basically the only thing keeping it mid rather than great.
I'm glad it exists nonetheless and who knows, I might even rewatch it in a few years?
(Btw don't miss the post-credit scene)
Was this review helpful to you?
Kim Yeon-du is RED FLAG CHARACTER
Kim Yeon-du is often labeled a "red flag" character due to her manipulative tendencies and unpredictable behavior. She thrives on drama, using emotional turmoil to control those around her. Her inability to maintain healthy relationships, combined with a knack for deceit, makes her a cautionary figure. People are drawn to her charm but often find themselves ensnared in her web of chaos, leading to emotional turmoil and distrust. Ultimately, her actions serve as a reminder to recognize the signs of toxicity in friendshipWas this review helpful to you?
Various Levels of Mediocre
I am a little bias when it comes to movies with a paranormal aspect which is why I was hoping for something better. Overall, this movie was just ok. It had a great story concept, but the script was lacking in many ways. There were a few times that the script just skips random things that made it a little confusing. The main problem is the horror, comedy, and romance elements were not successfully done and became boring after a while. Because of this, I started to skip some sections towards the end. However, I did apricate the slight twist in the end. As for the positive, the cast was great. They really did the best with what they had to work with. I also enjoyed the music and the special effects were not that bad.Random Notes:
The location for Joe's house was also used in the series “Bake Me Please” (Peace’s house), “Shadow” (Dan’s childhood home), “Sing Again” (Piano’s childhood home), “Mama Gogo” (Annie’s house), and in “21 Days Theory” (Q’s house). Once again, I acknowledge that I'm a nerd for this kind of stuff.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Good cinematography
I went into the movie without any expectations and without knowing much about it. I hadn’t even watched the trailer. All I knew was that it’s a Netflix movie from South Korea, and the cast is strong.While watching, I did skip through a few parts—some scenes felt a bit repetitive, and the fight sequences ran a bit long. As the story unfolded, I realized it was structured almost like chapters in a book, focusing on themes like war, revolt, chaos, and ultimately, uprising. That aspect was pretty cool.
That said, I have to admit that the story itself wasn’t particularly striking. It felt more like a series of events leading up to the uprising rather than a gripping narrative. Still, I understood the message of brotherhood, and Yi Jong Ryeo’s final words were beautiful and moving.
Overall, I wouldn’t say it was a bad movie, but it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea.
Was this review helpful to you?
The trailer is thrilling, what went wrong?
I saw trailer some times ago and I was looking forward to this movie, it was thrilling, giving excitement, the base story has potential that could be great. I walked into the cinema today, many people were taking lots and lots of pictures with the poster, I can’t help but ended up having high hope but then I fell out of the horses.Throughout the story, I felt more of the slice-of-life type of movie which it was not I expected, it didn’t give me any thrill, slow pace running the story got me distracted… it didn’t hit the spot, it was just not there, could it be better? I don’t know
I won’t talk about the acting here since it seems like ML have strong fan base 😆 I’m scared. I looked him up and I realized he’s 97’s line and a friend of EunWoo and JungKook.
overall, the last line was “that grandfather is not me” to confirm that this is not a romance movie, cliche 😛
Was this review helpful to you?
perfect ending :)
I don't really understand why this movie is so poorly rated.Yes, it deals with the dark side, yes, the ending is how it is, yes it keeps you on the edge and yes, it's worth every minute.
It's about trauma, and love, and healing, and some more trauma. Please watch it with an open mind and appreciate its beauty (acting, cinematography, story).
I give it a 10 for rewatchable value, but I'm a fool for this kind of stories
PS: for me, was the perfect ending; it couldn't have been any other way.
Was this review helpful to you?
A film out of time
A film out of time, there's something rather tragic about Tetsuo: The Bullet Man, it's just so poorly misguided that it ends up feeling off in direct contrast to its predecessors. There's a good film in here somewhere but it feels like a film from a different era, one that for all Tsukamoto's intent does not work as intended. It's hard not to assume he knew what he was doing. When he made The Bullet Man's face first turn to iron, he must have known that face paint looks cheap. He must have known those hyper-awkward script deliveries from a cast and crew who don't share the same language as its American lead would come across as embarrassing. It certainly feels like Tsukamoto knew full well that certain elements would be off and just tried to run with it, the zaniness is here but it feels wrong. The digital look does not work for this film with the overly excessive shakey cam coming across as simply nauseating, there's rarely a moment it sits still. The film's obnoxious sound mix only alienates the audience further, with dialogue delivered in hushed whispers but seemingly everything else amped up to eleven, I found myself adjusting the volume way too often to even attempt to engage with the film. Ultimately, Tetsuo: The Bullet Man feels more like a poor man's American remake of the original duology, lacking the gonzo mystery and waking nightmare horror. Trent Reznor's theme song is a banger though.Was this review helpful to you?
Torture
If I had to torture someone I'd make them watch this movie on a loop. The acting is horrendous along with the plot. Only the actors are good looking. None of the characters have any depth at all. If I could give a negative star rating I would have! Watched the whole thing at mostly 2x speed . The only reason I could not drop it in between is because once I start something I need to finish it. There are better bls out there to be honestWas this review helpful to you?
Cute, Realistic, Thoughtful Short Film
I love these "independent" short films; they're typically a breath of fresh air after consuming so much "quantity over quality" BL media these days. Not at all what I expected, but I found myself engrossed and then sad when it ended so soon. These young filmmakers should be given a larger budget and artistic freedom to explore these everyday issues.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I was expecting a horror/thriller but...
The first one was just plain bad on all counts.The second one was more funny than scary. A bunch of online stars on a mukbang gone wrong.
The third one was okay. A celestial beauty turned everyone rabid. The plot had potential, if only it was longer
I feel like good actors were wasted in this film.
OST is good on the third story.
I would be mad if I watched this on the big screen so no rewatch for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
Easy On The Eyes But Falls Flat On Any Emotional Resonance
"Under Parallel Skies" on Netflix, starring Win Metawin, is one of those movies that *looks* promising but ultimately feels like style over substance. On the surface, the film has the recipe for success: attractive leads, scenic shots, and a dramatic storyline. However, it doesn’t take long to see that it leans more on the aesthetics than on storytelling, and that’s where it starts to unravel.The chemistry between the characters is, frankly, nonexistent. Win Metawin, though undeniably charming, struggles to bring the depth needed to make us care about his role. His interactions with the co-stars feel stiff, almost as if they're rehearsing rather than acting. There are these long, awkward silences and stares that seem to *want* to be meaningful, but they just come off as cringeworthy. The cast has all the good looks Netflix rom-dramas love, but that’s about it.
The plot, while it has potential, feels thin and overly dependent on the actors’ appearances to carry the emotional weight. But without chemistry or compelling performances, you’re left watching a story that doesn’t quite connect. It’s a shame because there’s a sense that, with better direction and more genuine performances, this could’ve been something heartfelt.
All in all, "Under Parallel Skies" might be easy on the eyes, but it falls flat on any emotional resonance or engaging storytelling. If you’re in it just for pretty faces, go for it. But if you’re looking for a truly gripping movie, you might want to keep scrolling.
Was this review helpful to you?
More of the same
Tetsuo II: Body Hammer is Tsukamoto's Evil Dead II, a sequel that reworks the original with more technical polish on a larger budget. There's a big thematic shift from the erotic to the militaristic, with a greater focus on biogenetic weaponry, one that's far less frantic, instead focusing on developing its characters and providing them with a narrative to inhabit. The production values are much higher than that of its predecessor with Tsukamoto's head-spinning experimentation still on full display, the move away from monochrome allowing him to add strong colour filtration to a heady visual brew of crazy editing and bizarre cinematography. Shinya Tsukamoto is a man who knows what he's doing at this point. Ultimately while Tetsuo II: Body Hammer may lack the more disturbing elements of the original, the eccentricities are still here; filled with some excellent sequences and something to say about industrialisation while incorporating some top-notch effects work, leaving it as a very solid piece of filmmaking and a prime example of confrontational underground Japanese Cyperpunk cinema.Was this review helpful to you?
A Raw, Heartfelt Film That Hits Deep
Drawing Closer (2024) is an absolutely spectacular, beautifully crafted film. Japanese filmmakers really excel at delivering powerful, emotional stories—just look at A Silent Voice, Your Name, and I Want to Eat Your Pancreas. This film brings a heartfelt narrative that, while maybe not the most original, shines with a mix of happiness, sadness, and beauty. The cast's performances are phenomenal; they brought such raw emotion to their roles that everything felt almost too real.Throughout the movie, there were four moments when I was on the verge of tears—rare for me! I kept holding back, reminding myself, 'I'm a tough guy, I won’t cry.' Still, this movie’s blend of joy, sorrow, and melancholy lingers, leaving you smiling through the tears. It’s available on Netflix and well worth a watch.
I recently saw another film by the same director, Your Eyes Tell. While not as intense, it was equally impressive. This director is definitely creating 5-star films—I can’t wait to explore more of his work.
Was this review helpful to you?
Jeju is beautiful
A few weeks have passed since I last watched a Korean movie, and this movie served as a great motivator for me to continue following Korean cinema. While this film isn’t a masterpiece, and I assume I’ll forget the plot within a year, it was still a great way to spend a relaxing evening. The film is short and straightforward, categorized as action, though it’s much more comedy-oriented. I gave it a 9 out of 10, specifically for the humor that really resonated with me. Normally, I’m not a big fan of gag jokes, but it seems I was just in the mood for something like that, and this movie delivered. I found myself laughing at some silly mishap in almost every scene.The actors have charisma, though it seems they could have expressed the eccentric qualities of their characters even more. At the beginning, each character is introduced with distinctive traits, but these quirks don’t play a significant role later on. In fact, their personalities change into a cliché roles.
Also, since I have such beautiful memories of Jeju, this film was a lovely reminder of my visit to the island. I appreciate that the cinematographers gave us viewers a little glimpse of Jeju’s landscape through this film.
Was this review helpful to you?
Sweet n slightly emotional
This drama has a bunch of things I have seen before, maybe not this exact combination, and maybe not the usual clicehs of rich spoiled brat meets poor hotel receptionist in a foreign country. However I would be lying if I said I was surprised by any of the twist the lied a head.That said the chemistry was good, the acting fine the side character few but lovely and the scenery was pretty all in all giving me give or take 110 minutes of entertainment and emotions.
Defiantly time well spent, in my case int the passenger seat of a car, but I am sure it would be just as well spent time on the couch or in bed.
Was this review helpful to you?
