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Reviews9
garlick_2's rating
Typical Brit Gangster Movie Plot: Someone has a job they need done so they can get out of the game, they hire a crew to do it, some hijinx ensue, and it's a rockin good time.
This movie: A crew boss has a big job he needs done so he can get out of the game, since he has a crew they can do it, things go wrong, people get killed, no one really has fun.
This movie was well made. The acting was spot on. The plot was fairly creative. I just didn't care.
I know intellectually this was a good movie. All the pieces were there for me to actually enjoy myself, I just couldn't like any of the characters. They're all really bad individuals, and really don't have any redeeming qualities about them. I also know this movie is probably more what it's like to be a gangster than Rocknrolla, or any of Guy Ritchie's fair, it's just that in Guy's movies you have a couple characters that are fun to watch. They may be bad guys, but they're naturally funny. They make you care about what happens to them. There just wasn't anyone in this film that did that.
I also liken this to "The Bank Job" in the sense that there wasn't really any genuinely good characters, yet Jason Statham carries the entire film because of his charisma. You can't really pin your hat on anyone in the crew, and it's unfortunate because this could have been a good film.
If you're into brutal violence, and people lying, stealing, and cheating just for fun, then you'll probably enjoy this. I just wanted a little more to keep my attention.
This movie: A crew boss has a big job he needs done so he can get out of the game, since he has a crew they can do it, things go wrong, people get killed, no one really has fun.
This movie was well made. The acting was spot on. The plot was fairly creative. I just didn't care.
I know intellectually this was a good movie. All the pieces were there for me to actually enjoy myself, I just couldn't like any of the characters. They're all really bad individuals, and really don't have any redeeming qualities about them. I also know this movie is probably more what it's like to be a gangster than Rocknrolla, or any of Guy Ritchie's fair, it's just that in Guy's movies you have a couple characters that are fun to watch. They may be bad guys, but they're naturally funny. They make you care about what happens to them. There just wasn't anyone in this film that did that.
I also liken this to "The Bank Job" in the sense that there wasn't really any genuinely good characters, yet Jason Statham carries the entire film because of his charisma. You can't really pin your hat on anyone in the crew, and it's unfortunate because this could have been a good film.
If you're into brutal violence, and people lying, stealing, and cheating just for fun, then you'll probably enjoy this. I just wanted a little more to keep my attention.
The movie opens with a simple premise. Outlaws are given a task to find a map. They have no idea what it's for or where it leads to, they're just asked to get it, and are offered a tremendous reward.
What unfolds is much more complex, and way more fun than anyone should be having in a western.
Yes, this is a Korean/Chinese western, and it's amazing. You get to see some tremendous cinematography, some outstanding locales, some incredible action sequences, great choreography, and some brilliant writing that somehow seamlessly includes Korea's fight for independence, a spaghetti western revenge story & serial killer chase all wrapped into a stylish package that will keep your interest the entire time.
Not once did I ever think, "when is this going to end??" and that's done all with a pretty long (I saw the 139 minute version) film. It's a testament to the director and the screen writer.
I really haven't had this much fun with a movie in a long time. Beware that the movie can be pretty violent at times, although a lot of the violence tends on the cartoonish side. Much like Kill Bill. I wish American directors could incorporate this much style into movies. Unfortunately it seems every time they try it just ends up in a jumbled mess, as they forget the story. This movie did not.
Lastly, the reveal at the end was perfect. It was just the right amount of misdirection, and foreshadowing.
If you get the chance, see this movie, it won't disappoint.
What unfolds is much more complex, and way more fun than anyone should be having in a western.
Yes, this is a Korean/Chinese western, and it's amazing. You get to see some tremendous cinematography, some outstanding locales, some incredible action sequences, great choreography, and some brilliant writing that somehow seamlessly includes Korea's fight for independence, a spaghetti western revenge story & serial killer chase all wrapped into a stylish package that will keep your interest the entire time.
Not once did I ever think, "when is this going to end??" and that's done all with a pretty long (I saw the 139 minute version) film. It's a testament to the director and the screen writer.
I really haven't had this much fun with a movie in a long time. Beware that the movie can be pretty violent at times, although a lot of the violence tends on the cartoonish side. Much like Kill Bill. I wish American directors could incorporate this much style into movies. Unfortunately it seems every time they try it just ends up in a jumbled mess, as they forget the story. This movie did not.
Lastly, the reveal at the end was perfect. It was just the right amount of misdirection, and foreshadowing.
If you get the chance, see this movie, it won't disappoint.