Oldboy

The original was formally much more eccentric, and a conventional European viewer necessarily had a problem with the emotions, which are much more understandable and easier to read in this not so pointless remake. The action is equally explosive and uncompromising, and very well shot and edited – with whole shots and without frenetic editing. Josh Brolin also gives an excellent performance in such a demanding role. And just when it starts to become routine, a fantastic twist comes along, which keeps the whole film in a very watchable standard. It is not for multiple viewings, it is not a pleasant film in itself (and it is not about violence at all), but it can be easily managed once. (06/23/2014)

If it wasn't an American remake, I would go even higher. But Spike Lee did it, he took a great Korean film, or rather its comic book source material, and directed a similarly good film. Absolutely great casting led to the film being more accessible to Western audiences, the plot is well-developed, but that was already mastered by the Koreans. In some cases, it was too obvious that Spike didn't just get inspired by the Korean film, but directly took some great scenes. Sharlto Copley is once again outstanding in a negative role. Great, just simply for the second time. (05/07/2014)

Oldboy is a brutal thriller with a great noir atmosphere and a secret that makes a point that will bring you to your knees, hidden until the last minute. Josh Brolin was a great choice, as he portrays the personal and physical qualities of the character much better than the Asian actor in the original version, which was interesting in terms of art and its exotic audiovisual aspects, but it didn’t work narratively. It left me cold. Spike Lee developed the story, focused primarily on it and the characters, without underestimating the importance of the key battle with the hammer, which is top-notch in this version as well. I won’t give Oldboy a fifth star due to the the overused “mandatory” casting of Samuel L. Jackson in the role of another iconic, eccentrically dressed character, and due to the overdone digital effects in the climax, which take out some (important) brutality out of the film. (12/09/2013)

It's not that categorical waste falls on the director's head because I in fact like Spike Lee, and his handling of the Asian version is culturally much more appealing to me. It is not about criticizing the copying of a favorite title. Spike Lee simply succeeded in removing the curls and mimicry of the Korean version to such an extent that he exposed the vulgar and debased essence of the script in full, all the illogicality and emotional stupidity that is hidden beneath a substantial layer of bait for the festival audience in Chan-wook Park's version. East Asian cinema has long been distant to me, except for a part of Japanese production due to its intense focus on melodrama and love for the aestheticization of brutal violence. Chan-wook Park created a film in the original Oldboy that I privately categorize as cinematic nonsense decorated with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. You have to admit that when you focus your interest precisely on those sweets, the essence often escapes you. Spike Lee shot it without any softening ingredients and that ground-level shit was exposed in full. Seriously, I have a feeling of something very tasteless, which should be avoided at all costs. Overall impression: 5% for the presence of Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Olsen. (04/02/2017)

The Korean Old Boy is almost one of my favorites, or at least a movie I like a lot. But this one doesn't even come close. The script lacks logic and depth in places. Some of the scenes are completely nonsensical and you could see that they were just shoehorned in because they were in the original. Others were so overdone that they deserved a spanking. And of course they were afraid of the spiciest ones, so they softened them or cut them out completely. The main character is not half the quality of the Korean one. He lacks any charisma, which is almost a must for this role. On the other hand, I recognize that my opinion won't be entirely objective. I could have given it one more star, but knowing and loving the original, I just can't. 2 stars. (06/29/2014)