Old boy is a film which has received a lot of praise by critics and has managed to make it’s way onto Edward Scissor hands List (the List I started watching when I start this website – found here). At the time I started it, this was the last movie on the list, although his list has been changed I’ve stuck with the original and naturally checked this film out.
The premise is pretty simple, but things get complicated. Dae Su is a strange guy who is suddenly kidnapped and thrown into a motel room style prison. He has all of the standard room features, a TV, meals etc – only he cannot leave.
It’s not exactly a nice place and a few months in he screams at the man delivering his meals, demanding to know how much longer he will be imprisoned. He discovers that his Wife has been murdered and he is the prime suspect.
15 years pass and Dae Su is working on an escape when he suddenly wakes up in a case on a roof top. Set free, he starts to ask questions and plans to seek revenge for the killing of his wife and also his imprisonment.
Some time down the track he meets the man who imprisoned him. This man tells him he will kill himself if Dae Su can figure out why he was imprisoned. The catch is he has 5 days to do so, so he sets out to discover the reason…
Unique and Dark….
This movie is not for the family and kids – unless you have a messed up family! It’s dark and twisted with some graphic scenes and events definitely not for the squeamish.
This dark and twisted tone is the perfect way to tell Dae Su’s story, as he himself is a bit twisted and weird. I refuse to tell spoilers in this review since the events and unfoldings of the film make it’s unique nature – but even the twists and turns have a sick nature to them!
Being locked up for 15 years Dae Su’s behaviour is obviously a little strange, he’s had no human contact and has only looked at the damp, dark walls of his motel style prison.
It’s a terrific watch if you enjoy this kind of thing, which I sometimes do – and in this case did enjoy.
It’s a movie which introduces the viewer to a gritty and disgustingly ordinary side of the world which isn’t all too far fetched. It’s hard to believe this is based off a Japanese Manga – which is much tamer and less violent.
Martial Arts?
Yeah… This movie is on the list but it’s definitely not a ‘Martial Arts’ film in my opinion. It’s an Asian film and has the perfect setting to become a martial arts film but I just can’t think of it that way.
The reason it’s on the list is because of one scene – the hallway fight. I do agree, it’s very well done.
Dae Su, while imprisoned, watched television and absorbed as much martial arts / combative technique as possible from movies, boxing or anything he could. He then implemented a training routine for the whole 15 years where he developed himself into a fighter.
Using nothing but a hammer, his improvised training comes to life against a hallway packed with goons. In one single shot he goes through them all using all he has – even getting stabbed in the process. The style of the shot and the movements themselves are geared toward a lot of realism (no fancy flips) and has been choreographed quite well.
But this tiny scene is the only ‘martial arts’ aspect of the film and is not a defining part of the film. It’s revenge plot and twisted ending are waht stick out to me – along with the overall look and style of this dark film.
The Verdict?
Not a martial arts film but an excellent watch! Make sure you enjoy the gritty, sick and twisted nature of ‘mature audience’ films before watching though. This one’s pretty unreal!
On Blu Ray –
Region A (US & Canada)
Oldboy [Blu-ray]
Region B (UK, Australia, New Zealand, Europe etc)
Oldboy [Blu-ray] [2003]
On DVD –
Region 1 (US & Canada)
Oldboy
Region Free (All Countries)
Oldboy [DVD] [2003]
