Aug
3
2008
Fate
Posted by luna6 2 Comments
Movie: Fate
Release Date: March 20, 2008
Country: South Korea
Director: Hae-gon Kim
Starring: Seung-heon Song, Sang-woo Kwone
Runtime: 123 min
Editor Rating: 5.0
Users Rating: 5.5 
(8 votes)
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Fate is the latest Korean “superstar” gangster/action pic coming out of Chungmuro via Kangnam via Busan and Jeju Island (Busan and Jeju were filming locations for Fate). The film features two popular actors Sang-woo Kwone and Seung-heon Song, both of whom are friends in real life and have appeared together in the 2002 film “Make It Big.” Now, the two stars step out of their nice guy images to portray rough and tumble gangsters set to face off in the final showdown.
In “Fate” four friends rob a casino. The friends successfully make off with the money, but are then caught after Cheol-jung (Sang-woo Kwone) sells out his friends. Meanwhile, Woo-min (Seung-heon Song) takes the rap for his friends and ends up serving 2 years in jail.
Once Woo-min is released from jail, he attempts to make things as they were. Unfortunately, he finds that fate has dealt many unexpected hands. Cheol-jung is now a high ranked mobster that feels threatened by Woo-min’s re-appearance. Do-wan (In-kwon Kim) has hit rock-bottom and is now a hopeless junkie. Woo-min’s former girlfriend runs a bar, but is constantly harassed by the top mobster. Once Woo-min realizes that fate has spun his life out of control, he attempts to take back control by performing one final heist.
Fate is another film molded in the Kyung-Taek Kwak’s “Friend” style of gangster films. You have a tale of paths that diverge only to be reunited years later and the protagonists have to deal with issues of loyalty, rivalry, and betrayal. Of course, you also get ample amounts of metal pipes, aluminum pipes, and kitchen knives thrown and swung around in chaotic gang fights. In other words, originality isn’t a strong point for “Fate.” Instead, the drawing card is undeniably the appearance of two stars facing off as bitter rivals.
Sang-woo Kwone plays his bad guy role over-the-top, often drawing laughter with his pure evil mannerisms. If you’re wondering, Kwone certainly doesn’t have any problems playing the villain. Meanwhile, Seung-heon Song is slightly less charismatic, but always holds the attention of the camera. Surprisingly, the pure character actor of the group, In-kwon Kim, is the weak link of the group. When Do-wan turned to drugs, In-kwon Kim seemed only able to imitate junkies rather than playing a junkie.
The movie itself flowed well during the first 30 minutes. The first warning sign that the movie might disappoint appeared when Woo-min appeared at his mother’s restaurant. For no real reason, except to have a grieving old lady scream at the top of her lungs, we’re introduced to Woo-min’s volatile relationship with his mother. After this painful scene of screaming hysterics there’s nary a mention of Woo-min’s mother again. Other elements that took away from the promising start were way too many one-against-thirty fights (c’mon just tackle the guy for christ sakes!). There’s also the appearance of In-kwon Kim and his awful performance as a junkie.
The script itself offered just the basics for this genre.
“Fate” is directed by actor and sometime film director Hae-gon Kim. Kim’s first movie is the completely forgettable “Between Love and Hate” and his second film “Fate” fares only marginally better. If fate is just, Hae-gon Kim should act in a lot more movies and just give up the director’s chair.
buy “Fate” from YesAsia
Cast:
Sang-woo Kwone – Cheol-jeung Jo
Seung-heon Song – Woo-min Kim
In-kwon Kim – Do-wan Jeong
Nae-sang Ahn – Kang-seop Cha
Han-byeol Park – Eun-yeong
Min-ju Kim – Min-ju Kang
Jeong-woo – Jeong-hak Choi
Won-seok Yun – Man-gil Yun
Hye-suk Park – Woo-min’s mother
Seong Ji
Soo-hyun Hong
If you like this movie you may enjoy: Dirty Carnival, A Bittersweet Life, Sunflower
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2008 Movie Reviews, Korean Movies, Movie Reviews, Movies |
Comments
2 Comments so far
I nearly wanted to give up on the movie after the first scene. It’s hard to be convinced that four men can storm into the casino, fight against so many bodyguard like men with fists and kicks and finally, take the bags of cash away without many injuries!!
Another similar ridiculous scene is that Song Seung Hun who single-handedly fights with tens of armed men and later is hit by a car, can survive and not too long, is all healthy and ready to fight again..!!
There is a scene between Song Seung Hun and his mother – well, emotional enough, but what is this for? Another sentiment is between Kwon Sang Wo and his sister – why is this necessary? It shows the soft (human) sides of the two protagonists? I didn’t have much patience for the entire movie. It’s good that the ending is slightly surprising (although it’s not difficult to guess who ultimately “wins” this battle).
unfortunately, after seeing the movie, it has not improved my opinion of Kwon Sang Woo’s and Song Seung Hun’s acting ability. one tries too hard to act ‘evil’ and the other hardly emotes anything.