GeneChing
12-05-2012, 11:37 AM
I hadn't seen Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Part 1 of the Park's Vengeance trilogy, and finally treated myself to it. Hollywood remakes are being discussed for both part 2 (OldBoy (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41961)) and 3 (Lady Vengeance (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42664)). Even though this isn't a martial arts film per se, Park is a maverick, and given that the other two parts in the trilogy have their own threads, I'm starting this for completion's sake.
It was inspired filmmaking for sure. But ****...what a ****ed up tale. Nevertheless, I love Park's way of moving a camera to tell a story. I was completely engaged all the way through. The characters were all reprehensible, yet sympathetic on some level. The story arcs wove together into a noteworthy quilt of depravity. It lacked the amazing fight scene of OB, but not the bloodiness by any means. No sword fights but some gritty knifings, mondo bat bashing and a satisfying arterial spray.
It was inspired filmmaking for sure. But ****...what a ****ed up tale. Nevertheless, I love Park's way of moving a camera to tell a story. I was completely engaged all the way through. The characters were all reprehensible, yet sympathetic on some level. The story arcs wove together into a noteworthy quilt of depravity. It lacked the amazing fight scene of OB, but not the bloodiness by any means. No sword fights but some gritty knifings, mondo bat bashing and a satisfying arterial spray.