Jun

28

2008

The Chaser

Posted by luna6

23 Comments so far

1. 23 some dude Says: September 9, 2008

   luna6:
   “I would also like to add, in the context of the mainstream commercial film quality of the movie, the fact that the main victim died after her harrowing escape is something you won’t see often in these types of films and, because of this, added more heartbreak & suspense to the film.”

   It was a stupid and contrived plot twist that made me instantly hate the film. When you really think about it, the whole film is incredibly pointless: the victim escapes all by herself while everyone else is uselessly running around, and is then arbitrarily killed off (it was completely forced). Horrible writing.

   “Overrated” does not even begin to describe Chaser.

2. 22 Dave Says: August 18, 2008

   Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply to my long message below, Luna6! I really appreciate your insights.

   I still wonder, though, why Jung-ho didn’t tell the police that the killer had stolen the car right after he discovered this. Would you agree that this could have been easily proven? And surely this would have prevented the killer from being released from custody anytime soon?

   Anyway, thanks again!

3. 21 KRRJNN Says: August 4, 2008

   It’s truly a great movie which kept me riveted all the way. When I saw the “bathroom”, the scenes of “SAW (the western movie)” popped up my mind instantly. OMGosh… How can a decent house of this sort have a bathroom of which the condition is of this state?! Anyway, the bathroom gave me creepy feelings - when I saw Min-ji carrying a bag of “tools” in… I knew, I knew how brutal and grisly the victims were slain!!

   The plotline is not complicated - the perpetrator is known quickly. His motive for the serial killings is nothing surprising. However, the movie is still so gripping. The performance of both actors is commendable. This movie is highly recommended.

   By the way, I literally wanted to storm into the TV screen to cover the mouth of the woman at the little store…!! Can’t she just be silent and wait for the cops to arrive patiently!!

4. 20 samya Says: August 3, 2008

   Hey Lunapar6…

   Just like the others I wanted to thank you for the review because it drew my attention to the thriller genre, even though I am not a big fan of it. However, this film was indeed unique from all other thriller/serial murder films. I found it interesting that the film didn’t quite cover the motives of the murder and even as an audience, i lost interest. I was purely focusing (and praying inside) that the pimp/ex-cop would get to Mi-Jin before the killer does…
   But I do agree about the ending…it certainly fell inline with other thriller movies…However, seeing that the film overall was a good watch, i kind of disregarded the ending…
   Any ways…Thanks for this and all the reviews you do…Keep up the hard work…one question though: do you own a copy of all the movies you watch..?? Just a question ^_^

5. 19 jaccstev Says: July 22, 2008

   “The Chaser” is truly one of the best thriller films of the year. I really enjoyed all the tense from the beginning to the very end. What make me a little disappointed about this story is I actually need Min-jin can be helped on the ending.

6. 18 Dan Dredger Says: July 8, 2008

   Well, yeah, I was replying on the defensive.

7. 17 Rico Says: July 8, 2008

   I like reading all these different kind of views and opinions, its what makes watching movies so great and quite often there is no right or wrong…

   @ Dan Dredger; IMHO I must say you sound a bit arrogant yourself also in your view/reply.

8. 16 Dan Dredger Says: July 7, 2008

   Luna6,

   Though this may come off harsh, I mean absolutely no disrespect –

   I’m well aware of the release dates of all three aforementioned titles, and I stick by my assessment. I suppose our misunderstanding stems from my loose interpretation or application of the term ‘recent’ (which, in discussing film, I take to mean ‘in the last five or ten years’). In that sense, the three films are all relatively recent releases.

   In terms of aesthetic similarities – I’m talking about production design choices, colors, costume designs, locations and photography (lighting, composition, framing, etc.). While watching the film, I found myself thinking every so often, ‘This scene or this aesthetic choice feels familiar.’ And considering not just the local but the international appeal (and influence) of Oldboy and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, I don’t think it’s surprising that films the world over have copped some of those titles’ aesthetic qualities.

   And just to clarify - I never said The Chaser felt derivative of Oldboy and Crying Fist from an acting standpoint; I said The Chaser felt derivative in terms of aesthetics. It feels like you’ve jumbled up and regurgitated the things I said in a way that skews my point.

   In terms of performance, I did say that Kim Yun-seok seems to have studied Choi Min-sik’s filmography (and yes, that includes ALL of his movies). Let’s just say this – the man, Choi Min-sik, communicates a certain bravado or charm or character that’s entirely his. No matter the role, the Choi Min-sik persona shines through, and that’s exactly the same sort of bravado or performance I saw from Kim Yun-seok. Physical resemblance aside, Kim lifted some of the best moments from Choi’s filmography and applied them here (I’ll provide examples, if you want). This isn’t a point I’m willing to argue – it’s merely an opinion, a sort of feeling of familiarity. That said, if you don’t notice a single iota of Choi in Kim’s performance, I think you’re just not looking.

   Also, you might want to consider using a gentler or more respectful tone when replying to readers. In some of your Chaser comments, you come off sounding a bit arrogant.

9. 15 Severence Says: July 5, 2008

   I mean it deserves much higher!

10. 14 Severence Says: July 5, 2008

    What the hell? This movie does not deserve an 8.15 from the users rating!

11. 13 blade12 Says: July 4, 2008

    —– SPOILERS ALERT ——-

    I think Luna6 has already covered most of the points. Dave, about one of the plot holes you mentioned: it looks like he only took her head after decapitating her. Then he escaped by breaking the bars of back window thus avoiding the policewoman who was waiting out front on the street.

12. 12 luna6 Says: July 4, 2008

    Dave & Blade12:

    Just wanted to say thanks for the positive comments about the website

    Dave: Excellent points and questions you bring up! We certainly can’t agree on everything, but if we’re in the same ballpark that’s a great start.

    ******SPOILER ALERT*********

    The more general questions you asked about, like how certain things worked and the implausibility of it in the movie…well just check your local newspaper and you’ll probably find crazier things. I didn’t find the story to be excessive in this area. Also for what its worth, “The Chaser” is based on a true story but I’m not familiar with that instance so can’t say how much of this story is dramatized, but let’s just say this movie was entirely a work of fiction for this discussion….

    In regards to —> I’m not familiar with police procedure and Korean criminal law, but is it really possible that a man who is wearing a blood-spattered shirt, drives a stolen vehicle, confesses to several murders, and otherwise gives every indication that he’s a serial killer would be released from police custody, even considering the political context in which the action takes place?
    

    Nobody (except the perpetrator) knew that the car was stolen car at the time. Also, the perpetrator was wearing a blood splattered shirt - but he was apprehended by a person impersonating a police officer and he was beaten fiercely by that person impersonating the police officer, which could explain the blood splattered shirt. Under those circumstances and the short 12 hour time span the police department had, it is certainly plausible he was able to walk.

    In regards to —> What became of the hair and blood samples the police had available to them? Why did the police not investigate the stolen car further?
    

    Again, the movie took place over a short 12-24 hour period. Under that time frame, hair and blood results may not have been available and the stolen car was not reported stolen nor the owner known to be missing at the time .

    In regards to —> Even if we accept that the killer happens to visit a corner store at the same time that one of his escaped victims is present, and that the store owner happens to be one of those clueless characters who chooses to confide and place her trust in a man like the killer, what *purpose* is served by having Min-Jin brutally murdered after everything she’s gone through?

    The same purpose that the other victims had to die (horrific act committed by an animal). I would also like to add, in the context of the mainstream commercial film quality of the movie, the fact that the main victim died after her harrowing escape is something you won’t see often in these types of films and, because of this, added more heartbreak & suspense to the film. Hopefully this won’t start a trend where all major characters start getting killed off in Korean films, but at least from “The Chaser” ’s point of view, I thought it added more drama to an already thrilling movie. (What happened after that -reference the review- seemed less compelling because it seemed to suddenly fall in line with most serial killer films e.g. showdown at the killer’s house between killer and chaser, with cavalry arriving at/or after the conclusion of the fight).

    In regards to —> ‘didn’t really think the director was pointing scathing criticism at [the police]‘–something the brilliant ‘Memories of Murder’ did so well. What, then, was the point of the film?

    A great movie doesn’t necessarily have to have a point in terms of social commentary to be a great film. You won’t find people faulting Hollywood film XYZ because of this. What I meant by my earlier comment concerning the police depiction in “The Chaser” is that their portrayal seemed to work in a way to make the story work, but not for the sole purpose of making the police look like complete fools - other films seemed to have that slant, but I didn’t think “The Chaser” was made for that reason. Rather, the movie is a pure thriller that offers a harrowing ride over a nightmarish 24 hour period. Kudos to director Hong-jin Na for focusing on this “point” and doing it so well (and not throwing in the kitchen sink of wacky plot twists / surprises / social commentary / love story angles). This movie is what it is - and from my point of view, it’s one of the better commercial films I have seen to date, unique in many ways, and completely engaging throughout.

    Again want to thank you for bringing up some very good questions - we can’t agree on them all, but its fun finding out where those lines are drawn.

13. 11 Dave Says: July 4, 2008

    **SPOILER ALERT**

    Hi Luna6,

    I’ve got to begin by noting that I have watched a number of films based on the reviews on your site, and that I can’t remember a time when your comments weren’t spot on. I have you to thank for bringing movies like ‘Failan’ and ‘Ploy’, to name just a couple, to my attention, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.

    Which is why I’m especially baffled by the 9.0 rating you gave ‘The Chaser’. I disliked the film intensely, finding it to be full of irritating contrivances, cheap sentiment, and unnecessary cruelty.

    I’m not familiar with police procedure and Korean criminal law, but is it really possible that a man who is wearing a blood-spattered shirt, drives a stolen vehicle, confesses to several murders, and otherwise gives every indication that he’s a serial killer would be released from police custody, even considering the political context in which the action takes place? What became of the hair and blood samples the police had available to them? Why did the police not investigate the stolen car further? Even if we accept that the killer happens to visit a corner store at the same time that one of his escaped victims is present, and that the store owner happens to be one of those clueless characters who chooses to confide and place her trust in a man like the killer, what *purpose* is served by having Min-Jin brutally murdered after everything she’s gone through? Isn’t making Min-Jin a sick, single mother who must prostitute herself to survive an excessively cheap tactic to earn our sympathies? Why didn’t the policewoman apprehend the killer after he murdered Min-Jin and the corner store proprietor, and did he really manage to transport Min-Jin’s body back to his home without the policewoman (or anyone else) noticing?

    In your comments section, you state that you ‘didn’t really think the director was pointing scathing criticism at [the police]‘–something the brilliant ‘Memories of Murder’ did so well. What, then, was the point of the film? To show that a pimp has a heart, after all? If so, then I’d suggest that people look elsewhere for a more intelligent, less manipulative movie about that; aside from some great acting, I found this film to be pointless and, in the end, distasteful.

14. 10 blade12 Says: July 4, 2008

    Watched this film after reading your review, and so I wanted to come back and say thanks. I definitely agree with you that this is one of the best recently. Quite an experience.

15. 9 luna6 Says: July 1, 2008

    Ed: glad you brought about the point about the portrayal of the cops in the Chaser and how it may have painted them in less than favorable light. I didn’t really think the director was pointing scathing criticism at them, rather his portrayal of the cops just fell in line with the overall flow of the script (so I left it alone in the review). Certainly there have been other movies (memories of murder / voices of a murder) where the director seemed to vent scathing criticism at the cops. After all they did apprehend the suspect in The Chaser 24 hours or so after he was brought in for questioning.
    
    Dan: In regards to your comment that the “film’s aesthetic felt very derivative of other recent Korean titles like Oldboy, Crying Fist and Sympathy for Mr. Vegeance.”

    Crying Fist came out in 2005, Oldboy in 2003, and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance in 2002, so I wouldn’t even agree that those are recent films.

    When you mentioned “film’s aesthetic,” if you meant the visuals only..besides the similar color hues used in oldboy and the chaser I didn’t see any aesthetic similarities at all. And absolutely none with crying fist + sympathy for mr vengeance and the Chaser.

    Also I can’t agree with your assessment that Kim Yun-seok seemed to cop Choi Min-sik’s more memorable performances. Min-sik’s more memorable moments (for me at least) and most identifiable with him as an actor are his more dramatic/climatic moments like in Oldboy where he was on his knees and had the scissor or in Failan where he tried to use restraint but still couldn’t leave the police station without his friend pushing him out of there. Yet, Kim Yun-seok’s performance had none of this. It was far more even keeled, where his anguish simmered internally (enough so were it becomes tangible to the viewer).

    So if the chaser felt derivative of oldboy and crying fist because of this, you might as well throw in painted fire where choi min-sik played a 19th century painter or springtime where Choi Min-sik played a grade school music teacher, because oldboy and crying fist has about as much in common with the chaser as does springtime and painted fire … which is zilch.

16. 8 ed Says: July 1, 2008

    more on ha: i think his best, most demanding performance may still be Never Forever. this role is all about his dark, brooding aura we already know about (but the makeup is great)…that sleepy-eyed robert mitchum vibe. he’s not given much extended screen time, unfortunately. so we only know about him through what people say, then na hongjin flashes his face once in a while. it’s more effective than say, cho seung-woo in H (LOL!)

17. 7 ed Says: July 1, 2008

    i can see why this was a runaway hit (tho it was the off-season)…very compelling watch! the director shows great promise, especially in the very organic “grit” of the atmospheric excavation scene, with the army of cops. dan, kim yun-seok actually seems to me a mix of sol kyung gu (how he wields the velocity of his mass during action), + of course his pal song kang-ho (the jaunty speech rhythm is a givaway, & the whimsical peasant comedy.) he’s very talented, but it felt like a compilation of those actors’ “greatest hits” until the 2nd half, where his anger was more personal and closely resembled his own style you can see as the abusive dad in Like A Virgin. i also wish there was more character study (ha jung-woo’s scene with psychiatrist: not enough!!) the attack on cops/corruption was more simple than Memories of Murder though. look forward to their next films!!

18. 6 Dan Dredger Says: July 1, 2008

    I have to disagree to an extent. Although I mostly enjoyed the pic, the film’s aesthetic felt very derivative of other recent Korean titles like Oldboy, Crying Fist and Sympathy for Mr. Vegeance. Kim Yun-seok (who, incidentally, resembles the Oldboy star) seems to have studied Choi Min-Wik’s filmography and memorized the highlights. That’s no slight to Kim’s performance, just a minor distraction.

    And I’m still not sold on Ha Jung-woo, though his performance here is effective.

    Out of 10, I give this film a 7. :)

19. 5 Rico Says: June 30, 2008

    I fully agree with he review, wonderful movie ! Memories of murder is still my fav movie, but this one comes close.

20. 4 1minutefilmreview Says: June 29, 2008

    Great! Can’t wait to see it!

21. 3 elvyse Says: June 29, 2008

    Looks good, tho I’ll have to wait for late november to see it down here.

22. 2 Severence Says: June 29, 2008

    THIS MOVIE IS INCREDIBLE! Sorry for the caps, but it must be said!

23. 1 Nevermind Says: June 29, 2008

    I agree, I’ve just finished watching in one hour ago. It’s just amazing!