MovieChat Forums > Dalkomhan insaeng (2005) Discussion > Derivative and predictable.

Derivative and predictable.

posted 9 years ago by a1_andy_11
2 replies | jump to latest

**spoilers below**

I've enjoyed similar Korean films but this was a bit of a let down. Every moment of this flick was predictable. We knew our protagonist would fall for the girl, the boss would find out and order his execution.

I did enjoy moments of the film. Mostly the fight sequence following the 'Kill Bill' moment. However each scene felt like a set piece. For example the scene where our guy is buying the guns; who didn't sit there and know EXACTLY what was going to happen down to the letter?

The blatant rip offs from the likes of Scarface, and Oldboy cheapened it for me too.

Anybody feel the same way? I want to find more Korean films similar to this but with more of a plot and a little more engaging.

[–] lazzix 9 years ago

Blatant rip off? The reason if feels formulaic is because the formula is tried and true and goes at least as far back as Le Samourai. That formula being: A man with an unethical profession (usually a mob enforcer/hitman type) morals are brought into question when a girl enters his life - and usually ends in redemption.

You would then have to call other great films like The Professional, Sonatine, The Killer, Drive (and the list goes on) that follow this formula "rip-offs" too. Of course, like this one, they're not. Like the vast majority of films it's following a proven formula of sort.

Whether or not you thought this film had a good take on that formula is subjective - but to call it a rip-off is especially rich when you name drop Kill Bill. Now there's a film that blurs lines between homage and rip-off if you need one.

[–] bigdaddyboxmeal 9 years ago

I found this film to be absolutely captivating to be honest. Yes, you knew that as soon as he let the young lovers free how the film was going to transpire, yet this didn't change the fact that the sequence of events this led to were superbly acted, directed and choreographed. The fight scenes alone were astounding in parts.

Also, the 'Kill Bill' moment is giving the film a little bit of a disservice, considering this film only came out shortly after Kill Bill. I doubt there was any sort of copycat behaviour going on there. I don't even think it's a Kill Bill moment, considering the events being quite dissimilar.

It definitely has a few issues, and if you came in looking for a twist you would be sorely disappointed, but I think the WAY in which this film played out, rather than HOW, is what made it so special for me.

I think Oldboy will be held up as the better film, for sure, but this isn't a rip-off at all and I think it's holds its own as a great piece of classic Korean cinema.