Review of Oldboy
So, I recently watched "Oldboy". Needless to say, I was more than a little impressed. I can't believe I hadn't heard of the movie before recently. I think I need to become even more of a film nerd. Anyway, here's the review!
Right now, I am restraining myself from typing a long string of adjectives to describe this movie. In fact, I can't even think of a single adjective to sum up this whole movie that wouldn't make me sound like a six year old on Ridallin, fawning over the latest boy band. Yes, the movie is that good. Better, actually.
The haunting classical music, the dark and intense plot, the characters, the realistic violence-every single thing about this movie is brilliant. I expected an action/kung-fu type movie. Heh, I could not have been more misinformed. "Oldboy" is action, alright, but action in the good sense of the term-realistic, violent, disturbing,kinetic-not in the bad sense-you know, cheesy dialogue, worse script, even worse acting, etc.
The fight scenes aren' the usual graceful, poetic ballet stuff one would expect of Kung-Fu/action movies. Instead, the fight scenes are chaotic, brutal messes of mayhem. Brutal, mind you, aquires a whole new meaning when it comes to this movie. Every punch to the gut, every blow to the face is captured so realistically, the audience can practically feel the skin bruising and the bones shattering. However, seeing a bunch of people get smacked around is fairly standard violent stuff. What isn't standard is...well, I don't want to spoil it.
Think you're baddass because you sat through all three Saw movies and never so much as flinched? Fancy yourself Mr. Cool because you watched Hannibal 2's gutting scene while eating massive amounts of spaghetti? Hostel put you to sleep? (well, maybe that's not a good qualifier..I mean, who can stay awake during that movie, really?) Rest assured, horror and torture conisseur,
there are several "eye-opening" torture scenes that will test even your most un-squeamish of souls.
The plot of the movie is so intricate, and it has some of the best twists I have seen in a movie ever. Suffice to say, I was shouting at my TV at one point in shock. This is coming from someone who barely batted an eyelash during the surprise "twist" in "Sixth Sense" and completely guessed the ending to "Fight Club" out loud (sorry little brother who had to suffer through the movie with me, I didn't think I'd actually be right!)
Contemplative, philosophical, and touching, the plot provokes the viewer to think critically about the nature of revenge, redemption, and hatred. Right from the opening cinematic with a man about to fall to his death, the audience is pulled into the story, their knowledge about events as limited as the main character's. The mystery of the plot is what makes the movie so exciting and enjoyable. Trust me, when the answer to the main character's question is finally found, it does not disappoint.
The plot is made even more engaging and the action even more intense, thanks to an exquisite score. The haunting classical music compliments the emotions of the main character and the tense atmosphere of the movie perfectly. The minor key frequently used in the songs hints at the tumultous grief of the main character. Who would have ever thought that classical music would be the perfect accompianiment to a fight scene? Yet, when the violins play their high-pitched notes faster and faster, it's impossible not to have your heart leap in time with the quick-paced tempo. The classical music also gives the fight scenes a gravity, a seriousness.
Feel-good, this movie most definitely is not. It's about as happy as a dead dog lying in the middle of the road (and if that's graphic, trust me, you might want to have the fast forward button ready for this movie). But for those who want a movie that is wise, well-made, meaningful, and yet also just plain enjoyable, you can't do better than "Oldboy." It is a masterpiece.
So that's it. And even if you don't read the review, I have this much to say. Just see the movie anyway. Seriously. You won't regret it (umm, unless you tend to be squeamish..).
Right now, I am restraining myself from typing a long string of adjectives to describe this movie. In fact, I can't even think of a single adjective to sum up this whole movie that wouldn't make me sound like a six year old on Ridallin, fawning over the latest boy band. Yes, the movie is that good. Better, actually.
The haunting classical music, the dark and intense plot, the characters, the realistic violence-every single thing about this movie is brilliant. I expected an action/kung-fu type movie. Heh, I could not have been more misinformed. "Oldboy" is action, alright, but action in the good sense of the term-realistic, violent, disturbing,kinetic-not in the bad sense-you know, cheesy dialogue, worse script, even worse acting, etc.
The fight scenes aren' the usual graceful, poetic ballet stuff one would expect of Kung-Fu/action movies. Instead, the fight scenes are chaotic, brutal messes of mayhem. Brutal, mind you, aquires a whole new meaning when it comes to this movie. Every punch to the gut, every blow to the face is captured so realistically, the audience can practically feel the skin bruising and the bones shattering. However, seeing a bunch of people get smacked around is fairly standard violent stuff. What isn't standard is...well, I don't want to spoil it.
Think you're baddass because you sat through all three Saw movies and never so much as flinched? Fancy yourself Mr. Cool because you watched Hannibal 2's gutting scene while eating massive amounts of spaghetti? Hostel put you to sleep? (well, maybe that's not a good qualifier..I mean, who can stay awake during that movie, really?) Rest assured, horror and torture conisseur,
there are several "eye-opening" torture scenes that will test even your most un-squeamish of souls.
The plot of the movie is so intricate, and it has some of the best twists I have seen in a movie ever. Suffice to say, I was shouting at my TV at one point in shock. This is coming from someone who barely batted an eyelash during the surprise "twist" in "Sixth Sense" and completely guessed the ending to "Fight Club" out loud (sorry little brother who had to suffer through the movie with me, I didn't think I'd actually be right!)
Contemplative, philosophical, and touching, the plot provokes the viewer to think critically about the nature of revenge, redemption, and hatred. Right from the opening cinematic with a man about to fall to his death, the audience is pulled into the story, their knowledge about events as limited as the main character's. The mystery of the plot is what makes the movie so exciting and enjoyable. Trust me, when the answer to the main character's question is finally found, it does not disappoint.
The plot is made even more engaging and the action even more intense, thanks to an exquisite score. The haunting classical music compliments the emotions of the main character and the tense atmosphere of the movie perfectly. The minor key frequently used in the songs hints at the tumultous grief of the main character. Who would have ever thought that classical music would be the perfect accompianiment to a fight scene? Yet, when the violins play their high-pitched notes faster and faster, it's impossible not to have your heart leap in time with the quick-paced tempo. The classical music also gives the fight scenes a gravity, a seriousness.
Feel-good, this movie most definitely is not. It's about as happy as a dead dog lying in the middle of the road (and if that's graphic, trust me, you might want to have the fast forward button ready for this movie). But for those who want a movie that is wise, well-made, meaningful, and yet also just plain enjoyable, you can't do better than "Oldboy." It is a masterpiece.
So that's it. And even if you don't read the review, I have this much to say. Just see the movie anyway. Seriously. You won't regret it (umm, unless you tend to be squeamish..).