Sin-ui hansu

This film is based around the game of Go (Baduk). Go is considered to be one of, if not the hardest board game to play. It is also considered the oldest board game having originated in China approximately 2500 years ago. Go is a strategic game which requires great focus and presence of mind to capture your opponent. The game is still extremely popular and in this film it is played with high stakes.

The main character is a professional player and when asked by his brother to help him win a game, things go terribly wrong, his brother is murdered and he ends up in prison. While in prison, he makes fast friends with a mob boss by winning a game against the warden in which the mob boss gets a request granted. He asked the mobster to return him the favor by having his henchmen train him to skillfully fight so that when he leaves prison he can avenge his brother's death. That is the plot of the movie.

I don't really know much about the game of Go but the folks in this film have made the game a building stone of their criminal enterprise. There is a lot of money, talent and blood wrapped up in this game. Some of the characters are like or dislikeable enough but I think that the film could have benefited from more character building. The action sequences were the highlight. They were quick, well shot and fairly brutal keeping you on the edge of your seat.

It is a decent film. Check it out if you are looking for a bit of action.