Review of Oldboy (2003) by Keenan S — 28 Mar 2013

This film, which put Chan Wook Park on the map and which grabbed the coveted Gran Prix prize at Cannes is an exceptional movie. While I cannot give the film my full endorsement, because if I am being honest it has not aged all that well, it must be appreciated for leading the charge to a more refined bloodshed in movies that we have seen in films hence such as Pusher III, Drive, Inglorious Bastards, Kill Bill, Django Unchained.

The movie does have some spotty editing in the early middle, but some shortcomings aside, the movie briskly applies classical chords to its raucous and brutal scenes, it's a pure clinic in its manipulation of tone, and has one of the most astonishing finishes of the 21st Century.

These accomplishments make the film well worth the price of admission.