Oldboy (2013)Follow

Had not seen the original from 2003, and now that I've seen the remake, I probably never will.

Alcoholic dad and husband gets drunk, gets kidnapped, gets framed for the murder of his wife (possibly ex-wife?), and then spends 20 years imprisoned by his kidnappers while watching his baby daughter grow up an orphan. He spends the time planning his revenge, and when he is suddenly released, he goes about finding the people who kidnapped and imprisoned him, and he tries to locate his now grown-up daughter who was just a toddler when he was taken and would not recognize him. He gets help from an old friend and a young female nurse who helps him recover from undernourishment, and with whom he gets romantically involved.

Loved the cast in this one - every time I watch a new movie with Josh Brolin, I like him a little more. That said, it's the last time I ever watch a movie without reading the plot summary on Wikipedia first, because this one definitely did not go where I was expecting it to go. I'm not saying it was bad - I actually really liked it - but I was expecting a typical Hollywood (didn't know it was a remake) "good guy seeks revenge" action/thriller flick. Damn near choked on my popcorn at the plot twist. Good lord.



Major movie spoiler:

SpoilerThe entire plot twist is "surprise, your girlfriend is your daughter, and you just had sex with her!"

Edited, Feb 15th 2014 2:21am by Mazra

2-3 years won't cut it. A movie like Oldboy is, like The Sixth Sense, all about the twist. Once you know the ending, it loses its value.

Also, not a big fan of Asian flicks aside from the kung fu epics. Their odd mix of comedy and seriousness is awkward.

So, I decided to watch the original (2003 Korean) version.

Hooooooooly shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiite.

First, thanks for bringing it to my attention (I avoided the spoiler, so knowing nothing else I went in only knowing there would be a twist). But man was I off. Despite the subtitles slightly taking away from the pacing, this was a great film. Though honestly, I didn't think the ending was so dramatic? Maybe I'm desensitized from Spoilernot having kids myself... or a bunch of ****, but... meh? Also, the ending is left ambiguous with that grin.

Oh lordy. That grin!

I will vote that Stephen King needs to concede his crown to Korea as emperor of "Well that's just f*cked, how do you think of that!?"-ness. But it was a damn good movie, and the tooth scene(s) made me jones for my old DDR days with "V" from DJ Taka

Added V link (go to 1:13 for the part I mean):


Edited, Feb 15th 2014 11:12am by LockeColeMA

Edited, Feb 15th 2014 11:14am by LockeColeMA