Oldboy

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source: Oldboy

Old boy, the real of course, Is one of my favourite movies. What Spike Lee has done here is a crime to cinema. I'm sorry for anyone who sees this version first. This is destroying a masterpiece period.

Oldboy is a strange, sluggish and violent affair, a remake of a film that was not exactly crying out to be remade. Lee calls it in, delivering an awkward, sporadically entertaining film, but in no way laying claim to it. It feels like it could have been made by any number of people. Adding to the disappointment is seeing a director of Lee's caliber stumble so often with such an interesting template as the first Oldboy. The basic premise is so fascinating that for large segments of the film we are at least entertained. It's the second half that sees the narrative fall apart, pointless or poorly acted scenes slow the momentum. Another thing: the violence. I'm desensitized to a point where I am not shocked by decapitations, rapes, murders, suicides of the likes found in 'Oldboy', but I am growing a bored of seeing films resort to this level of carnage as a narrative device. I understand now why audiences avoided this one.

Just trying to see an excellent Oldboy and finally saw the wrong Old boy of 2013 My rating is fair enough for this movie My next Oldboy is going to be the right one!!!

Seriously? All the haters don't like it because of a Korean film? Where does an American see Korean films? Hulu has a few on once in a while but I don't know about this one. If you read Stephen King's the Stand or It, you are going to hate the movies/miniseries. Guaranteed. If you hadn't though, it is possible you might have enjoyed the movies/miniseries. I did not see the Korean version. This was a new experience for me. A few things tested my suspension of disbelief, but that is par for the course these days. I was invested to the end, trying to figure out what and why happened. I guess the only thing to say is avoid this if you saw the original but give it a chance if not. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

OLDBOY (2013) **1/2 Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Sharlto Copley, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Imperioli, Pom Kelmentieff, James Ransone, Max Casella, Linda Emond, Lance Reddick, Hannah Ware, Richard Portnow, Hannah Simone. Spike Lee's unnecessary but not-as-bad-as-anticipated remake of Chan-wook Park's 2003 Korean neo noir cult hit with Brolin as an unrepentant advertising rep who finds himself imprisoned by an unknown enemy for twenty years and then suddenly and just as inexplicably released to resolve who his tormentor is and why he has suffered for his captivity ….and to plan his vengeance. The fight sequences are on track and just as bloody as the original film's while Brolin embodies a man who is attempting to come to terms of his own ugliness within while seeking balance with something to better it including Olsen as a newfound friend who helps him put the pieces of the puzzle together.

If you haven't read the comic or are too lazy to read the subtitles in the VASTLY superior Korean version or can only watch movies by Spike Lee, then this is the needless, derivative and depressing version for you. I don't get it, and hated this mess even though the acting is terrific. I am giving it a 5 for the actors. Please, someone check on Spike. He is better than this.

I had very low expectations about this remake, i usually hate remakes specially when they are unnecessary due to the great quality of the source material but with that said, i must say that i was surprised to find that Spike Lee did a very good job and the result is a gory enjoyable movie that respects and pays several homages to the original. Although it isn't a masterpiece it's one of the best remakes i have seen and one that may be easier for non-Asian audiences to watch therefore letting people who aren't fans of Asian movies enjoy an amazing plot with only a few changes. I enjoyed it and recommend it.

It is insulting to human intelligence what happens when American cinema takes a foreign gem and vomits all over it. I think last time I saw film this violated was American remake of French movie "13". I like Jason Statham's acting, but that was one movie he could have skipped. Then again maybe he was starving. Poor starving actor who had to set aside morals for few bucks and a crappy role in terrible remake. Give Jason some food, have mercy! Oldboy is a film about revenge and incest. Original Oldboy was a masterpiece. This remake is a pile of defecated vomit. Now, if I did not see the original, it would be 'ok'. But I did. First problem is difference of values between countries that created a movie. I do not wish to ruin watching the original for anyone so I will leave endings out of it. American idea of 'morality' is over the top. Its just far too influenced by extremist Bible thumpers to be anywhere near what it should be. Just go see the original, make up your own mind.