The Chaser [DVD]

Unique, twisted storyline. Great direction. Add it to the list of great South Korean movies.

Comparing this to Taken, as reviews have, is unfair and will only disappoint, I challenge these comparisons. For me it was more a resemblance of modern BBC TV Detective dramas. The Chaser (a 2010 remake) is slick, deep and packing intelligence, emotion and multi-level story into what is an ex cop enters a serial killers world.It is shot well, with great South Korean filmography in feel and character. It is deep, engaging, entertaining and well cultured.The plot involves an ex policeman turned prostitute guardian (pimp). One of his girls goes missing, captured by a twisted customer, who has scared girls before, who turns out to be a serial killer. As the police detain the killer there is a race to find the imprisoned last victim, as she is till alive in an unknown house. More of the killer's character is unravelled, whilst ex-cop Jung-ho has to look after the victim's young daughter, helping to save her mother before it is too late. All of this is shot well in a gritty, but greatly real, Mangwan in Seol at night amongst the streets, back allies and shady homes near the mountains.If you are into World Cinema and these style of cat and mouse detective dramas, then this film will please fans. I do feel sorry that it suffers from top-billing and raving reviews as a cult gem, when it was for me slick and well produced, rather than being anything special, unique or extra-ordinary. The film is slow, long (2 hours) and thus an asking watch, but a debatably worthwhile one none the less.

'The Chaser' is a multi-layered film of remorse, regret, revenge and helplessness.It's rare that any director achieves such a complex character in any film, but the male lead (Jung) played by Kim Yoon-Seok is an incredibly deep individual, who had me loathing him one minute and empathising with him the next throughout.Indeed Kim Yoon-Seok achieved 7 seperate awards for his stunning portrayal of this 'ex-detective turned pimp' in Korea during 2008.Very cleverly, the audience is 'in the loop' early on and the proceeding race against the clock centres around 'Jung' trying to piece events together as we, the viewer, look on helplessly.Many reviews go into the storyline in far more detail, so I'll miss that out. All I'd say is that this is a tough, tense yet highly touching piece of cinema. Brutal in parts, gut-wrenchingly sad in others; 'The Chaser' has everything.I would settle on 4 stars, but for me, Yoon-Seok's stunning acting demands and deserves a top-notch rating.Exceptional.

Johnathan Ross highly recommend this film on his weekly BBC show and I agree, although you'll need a strong stomach. Not for the sqimish

Love Foreign Movies ??? you can’t afford to miss out on this. First of all it’s Korean & you guessed it which carries in vision English Subtitles which are very clear good sized easy to follow movie. It’s Korean themed Crime Thriller which is totally excellent well made. No Doubt Hollywood will have there hands on it at some point to remake it !!!A Thriller that will keep you on edge of your seat. I loved watching this & you will too 👍

A dark tale of serial murders and one man’s quest to catch the killer in spite of many obstructions set in his way. A very watchable film with some stomach churning scenes that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the bitter end. It is a very bitter end. Korean “Noir” finely acted and filmed. Highly recommended if you are a fan of dark and twisted thrillers.

This film has an interesting central concept.An ex cop turned pimp investigates the disappearences of his prostitutes to a serial killer.As the film developes our central character regains some of his humanity and begins to care about his prostitutes.Though how he went from cop to pimp is never explained and would have added extra emotional impact.There are some nice on foot chases in this film,realistically done and not too over the top.It can be a bit tonally uneven,as some of these asian movies can be.But in the end it mostly delivers on its premise.This is still more original than most of hollywoods output.

I wasn't really sure what to expect but this film is far from disappointing. Action scenes are brutal and some are gruesome and others are gripping. This film is very well made and full of surprises. If you like the thriller/horror genre watch this film. One negative is the fact that the suspected and confessed serial killer gets kept in an office instead of a cell. This kind of makes the film unbelievable but doesn't completely ruin it. I am a bit confused as to why the directors and producers did this to an otherwise flawless film.