Oldboy (Blu-ray Disc, 2007)

I first heard about Oldboy in several film podcasts where many called it a masterpiece. Then I read a DVD review where they gave it a perfect score. I was intrigued when I heard about its outlandish violence and a single take fight scene.
Oldboy is a South Korean film directed by Park Chan-Wook. It's based on a manga (comic book) of the same name. Part of an unofficial trilogy of films made by Park Chan-Wook about Revenge, Oldboy being the 2nd between Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance. It's about a man named Oh Dae Su who's imprisoned for 15 years in solitary confinement with no answers as to why. Inside his trains his mind, body and pounds his fists into a rock hard likeness. Then he is suddenly released, also with no explanation. Once free he sets his life into revenge and goes on a brutal quest to find his captors and more importantly, simply find out why they did it. The film runs for 2 hours at an offbeat yet exhilarating pace, it’s never boring, even during the non-action scenes. Some reviews may draw too much attention to the action scenes of the film; there is only a handful. But what’s there is fantastic. The major stand out would unquestionably be the single take 5 minutes unbroken fight scene shot in a pan, 5 minutes of knockdown fighting at it’s unbeaten best. Aside from the action are the tender love story and the mystery of exactly why Oh Dae Su was imprisoned; seemingly explained at one point then shockingly re-explained.
The cast is small and uniformly excellent, nobody lags behind in this ensemble. The cinematography is impeccable and just the right amount of gritty. The score is very good; the opening theme is among my favorites. This is not for people expecting Kill Bill, it’s for people who like Kill Bill but also like the Count of Monte Cristo, Batman, or Sin City. Oldboy is a modern film noir; a genre that is in desperate need of a major resurgence.
Oldboy won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004, it surely would have won the top prize (the Palme D’or) were it not for the controversial and incendiary Michael Moore documentary Fahrenheit 9/11. The film is recognized around the world as a cult classic already and has a devoted following of which I would now consider myself a devout member. Come for the fight scene, stay for the great characters, twisted plot and the shocking finale. Oldboy is a masterpiece among a growing list of comic book adaptations. It is a film that may be remade in the future (reportedly by Steven Spielberg with Will Smith starring; both excellent choices) it will never truly be equaled.
The 2 disc blu-ray version I obtained contains numerous standard-def special features:
· 3 (!) Commentaries
o Director Park Chan-Wook
o Director Park Chan-Wook with Cinematographer
o Director Park Chan-Wook with All 3 Main Cast Members

· 20 minutes of Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Park Chan-Wook.
· An hour-long documentary concerning the making of the film.
· 45 minutes of additional interviews with cast & crew.
· A 10 minute featurette about the film’s journey at the Cannes Film Festival
· Trailers for Park Chan-Wook’s other films in his “Vengeance Trilogy”

A very good showing of material, especially for a foreign film with a cult following.
All in all this is a must-buy for any film buff, but above all:

SEE THIS MOVIE!

Oldboy has a Shakespearian tone as it depicts the tale of Oh Dae-su (Min-sik Choi), whose name means "he who can get along with people". Oh Dae-su is on his way home after having been arrested for public drunkenness to celebrate his daughters birthday. However, Oh Dae-su never arrives to his home as he is kidnapped and imprisoned in a small room where his only contact with the human world is a television. During the time Oh Dae-su is caged someone murders his wife and he becomes the prime suspect for the murder. The questions that Oh Dae-su unsuccessfully attempts to answer while locked up is why revenge is being taken on him and who is seeking this cruel revenge. After 15 years Oh Dae-su is released from his torturous imprisonment, which leaves him confused and ragingly vengeful.

Chan-wook Park directs a brilliant cinematic experience that is full of well-written conspiring intrigues that will keep the audience in suspense. The suspense is initiated in the opening shot where a man is hanging over the edge of a roof top causing the audience to asks themselves--why is this happening? The suspense continues as new and mysterious clues appears, but apprehension does not leave the audience even after the end of the film as the final line echos in the minds of the audience. Park's vision of revenge in Oldboy often depicts exaggerated violence that is well balanced with story as it is related to the themes of the film. However, this should serve as a warning to squeamish folks as the film is occasionally brutal and bizarre. Furthermore, the cinematography used in Oldboy vividly projects the emotional tone of the cinematic themes and characters. The characters are also superbly performed by an excellent cast, which will help the audience to experience a first class cinematic event.

Oldboy is a dark and brooding story of love and revenge, based off of a Korean manga of the same name. Its plot is deep and compelling, heartbreaking at times, and violent and bloody at others, but always keeping you on the edge of your seat. This is a deep movie with a twisting and complex plot, not for those easily confused or offended.

I can't seem to accurately put my thoughts of this movie in words, but I have nothing bad to say of it. The acting is purely astounding; the lighting, superb; the score is wondrous; the plot is simply amazing; and the directing is top-notch.
There is nothing bad to be said of this movie, plain and simple.

When I first saw this video, I remembering the cover at Blockbuster saying it had a 'Quentin Tarantino Seal of Approval'. That definitely caught my attention. My friends and I watched this movie, and I was definitely amazed by it. The storyline definitely had a twist to it. The action sequences were incredible and some scenes were indeed graphic... the way I like them. I highly recommend this movie. A must see.

It is not common for a horror movie to win Academy Award for best picture. I can see why after the performances and the story which makes it one of the most suspense for movies that I have seen