Hunt

-
UK Release Date: 04 November 2022
Certification: 15
Director: Lee Jung-jae
Cast: Jeon Hye-jin, Kim Jong-soo, Lee Jung-jae, Jeong Man-sik, Heo Sung-tae, Jung Woo-sung, Go Youn-jung
Rating: 69%


Review: 
Hunt is Lee Jung-jae's directorial debut, within the runtime he shows a lot of promise behind the camera. Widely to mainstream audiences for his portrayal of Squid Game contestant 456, Seong Gi-hun. Lee Jung-jae decided to take full control of the film directing, producing, writing and acting. He handles most of the technical aspects superbly, executing each to a fairly high standard. The locations are vibrant, unique and the way its shot heightens the feel of the film. 

Frequent collaborator with Korean director, Park Chan-wook (Decision to Leave, The Handmaiden and Oldboy), Cho Young-wuk provides the film's score. An enthralling main theme that only gets better as it progresses. A buoyant piece of music that pulls out all the stops with a crescendo of horns. 

A Korean political espionage thriller centred around real life events in 1980's full of twists and turns. Hunt can be quite a confusing watch if the audience isn't familiar with the story. The intrigue of the premise carries the film as the KCIA searches for a mole in their unit relaying information to North Korea. Automatically creating tension between characters, the audience is invested throughout. 

The two lead performances are captivating with Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo-Sung as Park Pyong-ho and Kim Jung-do respectively. Due to previous confrontation with each other there's immediate conflict that is only enhanced by their two sub-units going toe-to-toe. With every reveal both become a little more unhinged.

Dialogue feels clunky with pauses in between discussions. Certain lines appear to come across as forced as if they're reading off a script, which they obviously are. Conversations just don't feel authentic or genuine.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Blair Witch Project

-
Image
UK Release Date:  22 October 1999 Certification:  15 Director:  Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez Cast:  Rei Hance, Joshua Leonard, Michael C. Williams Rating:   30 % Review: A horror phenomenon released in 1999 and changed the genre forever. With a measly budget of $60,000, found footage horror, The Blair Witch Project took the world by storm grossing $248 million. The film is highly influential with one of the most viral marketing campaigns for a film. Marketed as a real documentary - the actors were said to be missing and presumed dead - The Blair Witch Project is often touted as the scariest film of all time.  Most of the film is shot on a Hi8 camcorder on 16mm film giving it a grainy essence. Found footage became the most popular horror sub-genre for the next ten years spawning the Paranormal Activity franchise. For the first half hour of the film it works but by the end of the runtime it's simply a gimmick used to cut down costs and separate The Blair ...
Read more

Poor Things

-
Image
UK Release Date:  12 January 2024 Certification:  18 Director:  Yorgos Lanthimos Cast:  Christopher Abbott, Suzy Bemba, Jerrod Carmichael, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Mark Ruffalo,  Emma Stone, Ramy Youssef Rating:   79% Review: Yorgos Lanthimos' latest film, Poor Things , is by far his most ambitious feature.  Tackling feminist ideals, a woman's appreciation of her own body and the transition from childhood to young-adolescence - most of which is layered in metaphorical subtext. There is a lot to take in and process fully.  Akin to Mary Shelley's gothic tale of Frankenstein and his monster, Poor Things explores that godlike complex that the 'scientist' has over its 'experiment'. With Bella (Emma Stone) referring to her surrogate father, Godwin (Willem Dafoe), as God. It creates an interesting dynamic between the two that shapes the opening act of the film. There's a certain level of respect and admiration that was never present in ...
Read more

Priscilla

-
Image
UK Release Date:  01 January 2024 Certification:  15 Director:  Sofia Coppola Cast:  Ari Cohen, Dagmara Domińczyk, Jacob Elordi, Lynne Griffin, Tim Post, Cailee Spaeny Rating:   77 % Review: Sofia Coppola's answer to Baz Luhrmann's  Elvis  - there's a world where both can coexist as they give a unique account of the time period. A more intimate and private exploration of character.  Priscilla is an authentic and meaningful narrative ultimately detailing the dangers of grooming for young girls around the world.  Caught up in the whirlwind of excitement and attention, Priscilla's lifestyle completely flipped on its head as she accepted an older Elvis' advances. Somewhat unaware of the position she finds herself in but in the moments of rest-bite Cailee Spaeny plays it perfectly. A feeling of isolation, loneliness and anxiety can all be found solely within her eyes. Subtly making the audience aware of the fear she felt at times.  The film ...
Read more