a must see for anyone interested in korean film . . .

Rating: 9/10 (1 February 2006)

oldboy is a must see for anyone interested in learning more about korean films. the direction of park chan-wook is slightly clumsy, but it matches the pace of the movie. so i'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt when i say that i believe it was fully intentional.
critics argue some of the scenes are too violent or unnecessary, but that misses the point. this movie is solely about revenge, and what we do to achieve it, and the prospect of living life once it has been fulfilled. the violence is simply a collateral matter. and while arguably the violence does force itself into the substance of the movie, mr. park incorporates enough humor to offset the blood.
and the storyline is so twisted, it's almost too unimaginable to be true, which was precisely its draw to me . . .