A great exploration of the nature of vengeance

Rating: 10/10 (9 June 2006)

Make no mistake; this isn't just a simple cheap revenge thriller. This is one of those movies where if you don't pay attention and focus, you'll think the movie is pointless and weak. In fact, in one of the interviews, the director makes it clear that he was not making this movie to have the audience relax; he suggests a day at a spa for such purposes.
This movie asks many important and intriguing questions: "What is the nature of vengeance?" "Can our sorrows be erased through revenge?" and "Does revenge help us against our enemies, or does it lead us to our destruction?". Using many unusual plot twists (including some taboo subjects) and visually unique style, the director ends up making a movie that is both peculiar and significant.
This is, once again, not a very common movie. Script is very well written with many black comedies and well-coordinated fight scenes. In addition, the classy but somewhat melancholy soundtrack (mostly orchestral music) is placed and performed perfectly. I would compare it to David Fincher's Fight Club, although Oldboy is much darker in plot,theme, and mood.