Page 1 of Oldboy... so who has seen it?

I know there is another thread on this film, but that`s concentrating on the DVD... I went to see this today at the cinema ;)

I`ve not seen Chan-Wook Park`s first film Joint Security Area (is it worth a blind buy?) but I have seen Sympathy For Mr Vengeance (which I found to be equally amazing and disturbing).

But Oldboy is a lot different to Sympathy... It`s more kinetic for one thing. The story is so f***ed up and sadistic that you`ll be shocked at yourself if you guess any of the twists... at least that is how I felt. It has got quite a funny side though, which helps.

Don`t want to say too much else, but it kind of needs to be seen on the bigscreen as it makes good use of the widescreen ratio (2.35:1) and it looks really good.

Park is a good director who seems to have taken a lot of influence from "Hollywood films", which makes this film quite accessible. But it is an 18 certificate for a reason! :D

And the infamous octopus scene was shocking, thought the BBFC would have cut that for sure!!! :o

Anyone else seen it and what did they think?

I don`t go to the cinema, I watched it on disk. Film of the year for me, burns itself in, unforgettable. Agree with much of what you say chewie. Thought the look of it was sensational, would frame half of it if I could. And that one-take corridor fight, crikey. I`ve since rooted out more of Choi Min Shik`s work and he`s skyrocketed to the top of my favourite actor`s list.

Joint Security Area is a completely different kettle of squids. To put it very loosely, compared to Oldboy and Mr V it`s a `conventional` thriller, about the investigation into a shooting incident at the North/South Korean border. More of a why-dunit than a who-dunit though. Uncommonly good - I`m discovering some terrific stuff that`s come out of Korea recently - and a steal at £5.99 on cd-wow. Oldboy, you won`t be surprised to hear, has already been pencilled in for the inevitable US remake.

This item was edited on Saturday, 16th October 2004, 20:40

Cool, I will check out JSA soon.

, Quote:
you won`t be surprised to hear, has already been pencilled in for the inevitable US remake.

What is the point? Oh wait, money!

Watched it the other day, but got distracted, so might watch it again later. Pretty good movie. Didn`t find the octopus scene shocking, just very funny. There`s other more shocking scenes really.

Only regret is that I got the VCD, should have just bought the DVD for the extra money.

Watched half of it on DivX (from a DVD-Rip) so far, and I`ve really enjoyed it. That hallway fight scene is arguably better choreographed than any of the fights in Kill Bill, and the way the camera slides down the hallway in a side on view is brilliant.

I`m really looking forward to seeing it. :D Is it still showing in UK cinemas?


Live for the Moment on DVD - 27 September ORDER NOW
My DVD Collection ¦ My Top 20 Films

Its just been released in the UK or at least just escaped London anyway

Yup, it`s still showing in my neck of the woods.

Yeah it only started showing it at my local UGC cinema on friday and I am going to see it tonight. I hope it is as good as I have heard!

I really enjoyed it but it wasnt at all what I expected.I dont want to say too much as it will spoil it for people who havnt seen it. I would say it was one of the best films I have seen this year and I am very tempted to order the Region 3 DVD!