Oldboy [4K Ultra-HD] [Blu-ray]

Really brilliant film. Leans heavily towards a comic-book tone at times, but apparently, the story is based on a Japanese manga (black and white comic). I have to confess the casting choice to have one of the characters be played by an actor of way too young an age does make the plot really quite confusing for me, I spent too much time thinking that character must be the son of another character as they'd have been a child during the events they're supposed to play a part in. There's also a little reliance on things like hypnosis to make some of the plot points make sense, and as someone who really doesn't believe in that kind of thing it left bits of the film feeling a little far fetched. But while I might be the kind of stickler who gets hung up on those sorts of details, I still loved the vast majority of the film. It's wild, engaging, and full of style.The Arrow release bundles in a nice set of special features including some deleting scenes and a few different commentary tracks. The picture is also sharp and colorful, though a few scenes towards the end do look a bit lower quality (like the focus was slightly off). Nothing terribly distracting though.I'd consider spending the extra money on the Vengence Trilogy though, as it appears to contain everything this release does as well as the two other movies in the trilogy. It's not too different in price, especially on sale. Had I seen it, I'd have probably gone for that version as Oldboy has left curious to try the other two movies now.

A great film, as a western viewer I found the different style refreshing. That said it is cold, dark and disturbing. The whole revenge & vengeance thing did not grab me at all. In some films you can really feel the bloodlust that a wrongdoing scenario creates (eg. as in To Kill a Mockingbird). In this film I did not feel that for either character. So the consequent ultra-violent acts of revenge felt darker, hollow and psychopathic (revenge served ice cold I suppose - just empty).

Koreans do some awesome films. You are guessing all the way through the film. And when the story reaches it's climax it's a shocker. Really good film.

Disregard that god awful Hollywood remake, this, this is an absolute beast of a film.It's abhorrently violent, funny, and unexpectedly emotional, unlike Spike Lees god awful version.

My copy of the Oldboy Limited Edition release from Arrow Studios arrived today. Arrow Videos always release top quality limited editions packed full of informative and well produced extras and Oldboy is no different. Fantastic extras, nicely written collectors book, and the extra addition of the other two movies in Director Park Chan Wook’s Vengeance Trilogy all contained in a lovely hard cardboard presentation box. Couldn’t ask for more.

Hadn't seen this for a while so thought I'd give it a spin as its on Amazon Prime (at time of writing). It's still as brilliantly bonkers as ever and superior to the recent Spike Lee remake.Choi Min-sik is superb as a man (Oh Dae-su) abducted by an unknown assailant and locked up for 15 years. Unexpectedly released at the end of the 15 years, his sole purpose in life is to find out who locked him up and more importantly, why. To be honest his problems are only just beginning. His search takes many nasty twists and turns and features scenes of (at times) graphic violence.There's a jet black sense of humour running through the film and it's stylishly directed by Park Chan Wook. Choi Min-sik is excellent in a demanding role as a desperate unhinged man and there's good support elsewhere. The whodunit element keeps things moving and gives the plot some thrust.For fans of this genre I cant recommend it highly enough. Many more will get a kick out of it as well. Top stuff.

One of my favourite films, and infinitely superior to the Hollywood remake.The 4K image isn't a huge leap in terms of picture quality, but it's certainly the best it has ever looked.

The story comes from a Japanese comic book of the same name, in which an ordinary family man is suddenly kidnapped and placed in a cell dressed up as a hotel room. Given no explanation for his confinement or the murder of his wife, Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) spends the next 15 years alone, weaving in and out of hallucinatory states with only a television to keep him company.Old Boy is nothing short of brilliant compelling viewing, suspenseful and ultra-violent - you won't see many films like this one in a lifetime. It not for everyone - it is violent and shocking in its nature and subject matter - but we can't have Bridget Jones in every film - and we don't that either do we!!!Most negative reviews can't seem to handle the gratuitous violence, but personally feel it is necessary to express what Oh Dae-Su has been through the past 15 years.The film takes you away on a roller-coaster ride of human emotions, a brilliant plot, and sheer brilliance. The acting is absolutely superb throughout. Min-sik Choi did a great job as Oh Dae-Su and Chan-wook Park's direction was top notch.All I need to see to sum up this film really is - What a film - see it!I am so glad I went into this film not knowing it's twists (hence I won't give any of them away here) as it really is fantastic working them out as the film is progressing and I can't help but think the film would be a lesser (albeit still a great one) experience if you know what was going to happen.