Oldboy

Well, wasn’t that a shock. After a long time I was flabbergasted by a twist! A great story, fantastic performances and direction, and a very interesting narrative style. The cultural differences can be felt and I didn’t get the emotional side of Old Boy, but thumbs up for everything else. PS: This is one of those films where bringing the story closer through a western remake would not be out of the question, provided it gets in the hands of a competent director, of course. (27/05/2010)

A film that has a hero. A film that has charisma. A film that has a charismatic hero. I'm slowly moving from South Korean romance to something edgier. Of course Old Boy was the best choice. It offers everything from really hardcore fight scenes to eating an octopus alive... to the amazing (but truly amazing) music and the fantastic lines. So my message to everyone: Whether you're a boy or a girl, you have to see this! (28/07/2011)

Asian miracle, which didn't affect me. The music accompaniment is flawless, but visually, even the highly praised scenes reach the limit of mediocrity. If there is something brilliant, it's the punchline, too bad that right after it, director Park "adds blood" and loses me again on the way to the climax. I understand everyone who was moved by the last minute or captivated by the film as a whole. I understand them, but I will never belong with them. (29/12/2005)

I can't help but find it unnecessarily overly violent, transparent (when the two met in the bar and she told him he reminded her of someone, my first thought was what the guy learned at the end) and a bit of boiling water. Yeah, the filming probably wasn't easy, and while there is something to be gained from the film, it's nothing world-changing, for me it's an average film. Basically, I don't even know what to admire about it or what I really liked about it. Too bad, I was looking forward to it quite a bit. (15/04/2013)

An extreme variation on the classic Oedipus Rex substance, where Fate replaces the motive of revenge? Why not? Especially when it's all filmed in an excellently light style, narrated by a few "voices" and shipped in a luxurious visual package... For me, the insight and the natural oscillation between black humor and drama is the culmination of Oldboy. Surprisingly, even the brutality of some of the passages does not appear self-serving and fits well into the Asian trend of "crippled" heroes. Great music. The famous acting performance of Dae Su... a perfect and unexpected final twist, which is embedded in the structure of the film so systematically that I would to enjoy watching it again. I'm a little bothered by the formal coldness that emanates from most of the film, but at the end it turns into existential heat. Not entirely captivating, yet still an unforgettable film. (08/04/2007)