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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Year:	2003
Country of origin:	South Korea
Director:	Chan-wook Park
Genre:	Revenge / violence / thriller
Starring:	Min-sik Choi, Ji-tae Yu
Rating:	5/5
IMDB link:	http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364569/
Tagline:	15 years of imprisonment, five days of vengeance
Favourite line:	N/A - Subtitled

What a belter this is.

We start in a police station where an ordinary Joe, Dae-su Oh, is drunk beyond the ability to function. Luckily, his best friend shows up and talks him out of trouble with the police. Upon leaving the station, the first thing Dae-su wants to do is call his daughter to wish her happy birthday. Whilst his friend is talking to his daughter, Dae-su disappears. For reasons beyond his comprehension, he is imprisoned for fiteen years. Upon his release, he is informed he only has five days to discover the reasons for his incarceration, or be killed by his erstwhile captor.

Taut, ultra-violent, and with some scenes that just have to be seen to be believed - the live octopus eating being the most prominent in my mind - this is Eastern cinema of the highest order.
The fight scenes are stylish and very effective, as well as being damn bloodthirsty, and Dae-su is a likeably understated hero.
With a triple whammy ending that leaves you simply gasping, this is recommended to anyone who likes their cinema very much left of centre.
Superb.