Review of Natural City (2003) by Cyrus B — 13 May 2008

NATURAL CITY.

Natural City(Details here), is often called the Korean version of Blade Runner, however that is selling this film short, as it more than just a different interpretation, rather it is something completely different.

The film is set in the future, roughly 2080, where cyborgs are made with three year lifespans. One of the military police, who's job it is to hunt down renegade cyborgs, has fallen in love with a cyborg. Throughout the film he tries to get enough money through illegal means, so that he can somehow save his beloved Ria. However, in the mean time, a cyborg named Cypher is providing a strong terrorist force within the city, as the story unfolds we are met with a few unexpected and confusing twists that add extra life to this movie.

Natural City boasts one of the most impressive Sci-fi landscapes seen in cinema, inspired by the likes of Blade Runner, Metropolis and the urban area's of Korea itself. The Special effects within the film are of a very high standard, and thus adding to the film's beauty.

From the early moments of the film, we are met with an incredible action sequence, which makes us believe the whole film is an action movie, although this assumption is shortly dimissed, as we become more invloved with the characters, which are the true heart of the film, the action sequences are more of an extra part than a core. There is one moment in the closing stages that is over the top action, but is cleverly intercut with other scenes to make it not appear so.

Camera work and editing in this film are nothing short of exceptional, using shutter speed, motion blur, exposure and many other techniques to provide the appropriate atmosphere for certain scenes within this science fiction environment. The sheer quality of the cinematography is vastly superior to your average blockbuster, any scene within the film can be paused and the spectator can marvel at the intricate nature of every frame, like a string of intense paintings woven together.

As usual with Korean cinema, stereotypes are avoided, with each character developing throughout the film, rather than being recognised instantly through convention of cinema, making a much more realistic and intelligent set of characters.

There are faults to the film, some moments are not as well concieved as others, also one particular scene is a straight take on Blade Runner, but the rest of the film's unique edge and style more than compensates for this.

Natural City is one of the best contemporary Sci-fi films, using the themes and established conventions of the genre to create somethig new and exciting, an emotional story, that is beautifully filmed, a definate for any sci-fi fan or any true fan of cinema.