Oldboy

I have a problem with Asian films because their emotionality is beyond me. I don't deny the camera finesse, a few visually memorable scenes (although judging by the reviews I was expecting a much, much more visually striking work), but a three-minute fight in one uninterrupted shot, a close-up of teeth being pulled and a live octopus being eaten don't make a memorable film. First and foremost, it's about the story, and the story here – told in a somewhat incomprehensible way for my taste – couldn't quite reach me, as well as the twist and emotional outpourings in the last twenty minutes. I can't help it, Oldboy is overrated in my eyes, which is not to say it's not worth watching. (06/27/2005)

Well, wasn’t that a shock. After a long time I was flabbergasted by a twist! A great story, fantastic performances and direction, and a very interesting narrative style. The cultural differences can be felt and I didn’t get the emotional side of Old Boy, but thumbs up for everything else. PS: This is one of those films where bringing the story closer through a western remake would not be out of the question, provided it gets in the hands of a competent director, of course. (05/27/2010)

A film that has a hero. A film that has charisma. A film that has a charismatic hero. I'm slowly moving from South Korean romance to something edgier. Of course Old Boy was the best choice. It offers everything from really hardcore fight scenes to eating an octopus alive... to the amazing (but truly amazing) music and the fantastic lines. So my message to everyone: Whether you're a boy or a girl, you have to see this! (07/27/2011)

A simple story told in a needlessly incomprehensible way. The visual aspect is captivating, the music is amazing and the actors are great, but the story itself, particularly its conclusion, left me cold. The Asians are simply different, as they express themselves differently and perceive things differently – and with Oldboy, whose story otherwise has something to it, I didn’t experience what the individual dramatically escalated scenes were trying to tell me. But I’m very curious about the American remake. (10/24/2004)

An extreme variation on the classic Oedipus Rex substance, where Fate replaces the motive of revenge? Why not? Especially when it's all filmed in an excellently light style, narrated by a few "voices" and shipped in a luxurious visual package... For me, the insight and the natural oscillation between black humor and drama is the culmination of Oldboy. Surprisingly, even the brutality of some of the passages does not appear self-serving and fits well into the Asian trend of "crippled" heroes. Great music. The famous acting performance of Dae Su... a perfect and unexpected final twist, which is embedded in the structure of the film so systematically that I would to enjoy watching it again. I'm a little bothered by the formal coldness that emanates from most of the film, but at the end it turns into existential heat. Not entirely captivating, yet still an unforgettable film. (04/08/2007)