Pandora's Box

Rating: 9/10 (23 October 2004)

If you can accept cinema is an art form and art can sometimes be disturbing, you may love this film. Otherwise, it's maybe better to stay away rather than watching this film and declaring it's very disgusting and nerve wrecking.
This is a 'black' film that disturbs and provokes. Revenge stands just beside the deepest feelings such as fear and passion. Mental processes, delusions and strong feelings are excellently filmed throughout the movie, it's hard not to question yourself while watching, what would I do if I were him? Flashback scenes are brilliant, especially the ones at the high school and elevator sequence of Evergreen. The way that Daesu, the man of conflicts, unfolds the mystery of his tragic fate is impressing. Step by step Pandora's Box is being opened and at the end, we even know what color the box is.
Oldboy's not another 'ordinary violent Asian movie'. It's too far from being ordinary. Blood that is shed is nothing compared to the mental damages given. It definitely carries a significant amount of psychological violence which is likely to occupy audience's mind even the movie is over. But it's worth bearing.