Oldboy is a contemporary masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (20 August 2005)

Similar to the ideal behind "Kill Bill: Vol. 2", "Oldboy" is not your typical revenge drama. As a matter of fact, until one views the film in its entirety one will not know of the fact that the revenge does not belong to the protagonist but rather to the antagonist.
A statement mentioned in the review before mine claims that "Oldboy" does not have a 'meaning', that its ending is not satisfactory (when comparing to "Seven", "Memento", and "The Sixth Sense"). Those two films are not "revenge flicks", they are trend setters that work entirely on atmosphere and that their endings do not necessarily need to be important.
"Memento"'s ending is flawed because you don't know whether Lenny is a faker, himself, or not and whether what Joe Pantoliano says is true. "Seven" had a message brought forth by a lunatic monster and after his surrender, the ending was not 'important', but rather a balancing act between insanity and brilliance. "The Sixth Sense"'s ending hits you like a punch and cheats the audience because who Bruce Willis' character REALLY is is inconsequential to the story of the boy who speaks to ghosts.
Also aforementioned is a quote by Morgan Freeman; but to honest, 'The world is a beautiful place and worth fighting for. I agree with the second part.' is a quote from Ernest Hemmingway.
Oldboy is visceral and brutal but is also bold and insightful as to the fact that although you have had harm done unto you do not try and seek revenge by murder or vigilance. Try your best to understand WHY the terrible occurrence had happened to you and what you can NOW do to fix it.
That is the ideal, the 'point' of "Oldboy" and it has been exercised wonderfully.
It is one of 2005's best films (in North America), although it is copyright 2004.
D.