Another hidden treat from the realms of Korea

Rating: 7/10 (7 September 2013)

Known for the shocking violence and lengths that a stereotypical Korean film goes to, there shouldn't be too many surprises with Chan-wook Park's highly acclaimed psychological thriller...however there certainly is.
An explicit sexual scene, a number of other raunchy moments, people being battered to a pulp and the leading character yanking out the teeth of his nemesis with a hammer to name only a few. It certainly isn't for the faint hearted though you probably knew that from the outset.
'Oldboy' follows Dae-su Oh (Min-sik Choi) - a man imprisoned for 15 years without explanation and released for five days in a bid to understand why and seek vengeance. He meets an alias in Mi-do (Hye-jeong Kang), a mysterious woman who sets out to help him.
While it isn't for the weak hearted as I stated earlier, nor is it for the thick. 'Oldboy' is a film which doesn't spoon feed you too much of what's going on so you will have to have your brain switched on and interpret some key plot scenarios from earlier clues. It has a number of twists and possibilities which make it a riveting ride from start to finish.
The acting is superb with the "anti-hero" performed to a tee by Min-sik Choi (he also plays an outstanding role as the sadistic murderer in 'I Saw the Devil, six years on from this production). Ji - tae Yu is also excellent as one of the villains while the remaining cast members are all fantastic.
The main plot twist is disturbing, utterly brilliant yet at the same time disappointing. It feels all a little too unrealistic; in fact while others may argue to climatic half to the film is where its genius lies, I much preferred the opening half before everything unravelled. But that's just my opinion!
'Oldboy' focuses heavily on character and its complex narrative and the end product is very good. In the same genre, 'I Saw the Devil' (also starring Min-ski Choi) is my favourite revenge movie of that nature - it took me by storm!
'Oldboy' is more complex and much beefier in terms of what makes up the running time which is its downfall as well as its merit.