OLD BOY- is this worth getting?

[Chinatown Kid]

I have read some comments here and there about this film saying it's quite gritty with some very violent, realistic fights. Thinking about buying this from HKflix. Has anybody seen this film and care to comment, positive or negative?

[Tosh]

Man, I can't praise this movie enough, do yourself a favor, and BUY it! One of the best movies I've ever seen.

[gorlank]

Is the Pope Catholic??


A brilliant movie, nothing short of a masterpiece.

[GwaiLoMoFo]

Arguably the best film of last year. Cant praise it enough. A deffinite MUST buy.

[Chinatown Kid]

Thanks guys, sounds like a winner!:D

[theportlykicker]

Honestly this is one hell of a film! The one-take hammer fight and the screwed up ending are simply brilliant!

[Chinatown Kid]

Just got this yesterday and really enjoyed it! It's very offbeat and keeps you interested by slowly revealing the mystery and I love the way the plot keeps twisting. The subject matter is very adult and not for the sqemish or easily disturbed. The fight were he takes on all those thugs in a long master shot uncut was brillant, wonder how many takes it took? When he used the hammer for some dental work was quite shocking and gruesome and brought up memories of the movie Marathon Man. A very worthy purchase. Im now thinking about getting Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance by the same director, has anybody seen this that could tell me if it's as good as Oldboy?

[Chen Zhen]

not quite as good as Oldboy, but a great film nonetheless. all of Chan Wook Park's films are topnotch.

[Chinatown Kid]

Thanks Chen Zhen, I'll put it on my must have list then.:)

[GwaiLoMoFo]

I agree with Chen that its not as good as Oldboy, but still a MUST have as well. Dark, twisted, funny, and suprising. Chan Woo Park has been gold to me so far. Cant wait to see Sympathy For Lady Vengeance!

[Yakuza954]

I thought Mr. Vengenace was horrible. It felt like Chan Woo Park was still trying to find his way before making OldBoy. The lead character is a mute with dyed hair and half of the movie is a bunch of forced torture and sadomasochism. The only thing I remembered liking about it was the twist ending, obvious but cool.

[GwaiLoMoFo]

I thought Mr. Vengenace was horrible.

Sometimes kids say the damndest things.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion, but if you continue to use it so carlessly we will have to revoke that right. ;)

[Chen Zhen]

:lol

[Yakuza954]

Either way, Mr.Vengeance sucked. ;) I recommend Memories of Murder over it. They both share one of the characters (the father) and Memories is a much more insightful and better film.

[Chinatown Kid]

Just watched Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, damn what a bleak, depressing film. This was more depressing than Oldboy! Due to the gruesome, graphic violence Park's films are not for everybody but I find his film's fresh and different and he knows how to keep you interested until the final reel. In this movie he seemed to be conveying the message that if you are looking for revenge it's best to start by digging two graves and that vengeance begits vengeance and it goes on and on. Hey Yakuza954, is Memories of Murder by the same director? Also, does anybody recommend Joint Security Area or should it be avoided? Can't wait to see Lady Vengeance, hope it's released soon.:)

[Yakuza954]

JSA is good, and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance is getting so-so reviews. Just don't go in expecting Old Boy. And also despite what I've said about mr.vengenace I wouldn't want to stop people from seeing it, since a lot of people seem to like it. I just felt it had an unnecessary amount of violence and gruesome scenes.

[Chinatown Kid]

Thanks for the info Yakuza. Your right about Mr. Vengeance, the violence is definately over the top. It also left me with an uneasy feeling but I guess this was Park's intention.

[GwaiLoMoFo]

Just pre-ordered Lady Vengeance from cd.wow. Cant wait to see this one either. Everything Park has touched so far has bee gold.

[Chinatown Kid]

Glad to know it's up for preorder GwailoMoFo, I'm definately gonna order me a copy.

[jirpy100]

Watched Oldboy last night....jeez, the revealing at the end was not very nice! Excellent film. Tartan 2-disc edition is very good.

[teako170]

Just watched this. Still digesting it all but yeah... wow. I read an interesting take on the ending over @ IMDb regarding the "footsteps in the snow." Don't wish to post any spoilers here, so I'll just post the link:

www.imdb.com/title/tt0364...7#34657717 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364569/board/thread/34145188?d=34657717#34657717) <spoiler!>

Definitely going to look into some of Chan Wook Park's other works (Joint Security Area, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance). Any others worth seeing?

[xZAANTRONx]

Sympathy for Mr. Vengance is 10,000 times better than Oldboy. ATLEAST. I don't know how people can think Oldboy was even close to it! haha..but then, there are alot of things I will never understand.

I would very much like to see Sympathy for Lady Vengance.

[godzillakungfu]

OLD Boy was great. I just watched it today, Damn good. I saw the twist coming (watching to many movies) the end was cool.

[whitelotus]

wicked I just got it in a trade last night, after my 14 hrs shift here at work, I'm going to relax and take it in....thanks