Rating: Summary: this is GOOD, Tae Guk Gi is better. Review: Teh plot takes some rather chunky turns, like Sword in the Moon it feels out of order at times but it is good none-the-less. . .
"The plot is standard for movies like this. A rogue North Korean military officer, along with a bunch of soldiers from his unit, has decided that having two Koreas is not acceptable, so he hatches a plan to steal a top-secret South Korean weapon that looks like water, but can be used as a bomb. (Or something along that line.) The weapon itself is not important, it's just the McGuffin to get the story rolling. Years before, the gung-ho communist officer had sent over a woman to spy on the South Korean agency that monitors all of these type of events (think CIA or FBI). Activated once again, the spy becomes an assassin, turning Seoul into a shooting gallery.
The only fault I can find with the movie is that the story is not very original (the "secret biological weapon" theme is almost identical to that of "The Rock") and sometimes the action scenes go on for too long. There are gunfights that run on and on and on, always ending the same way -- with nothing solved (at least until the inevitable end). The bad guy doesn't get killed and neither does the good guy. The only people that ever die are civilians and some indistinguishable cops, SWAT members, or the rogue officer's lackeys. I could have done with less nonstop shooting and more consequential action.
Although the film tries to offer up a love story, it's mostly lost in the hail of bullets and loud explosions. Not only that, but the identity of the female assassin is relatively easy to figure out; and if you can figure that out, then the whole subplot about a possible mole in the good guys' agency becomes somewhat irrelevant.
In any case, the movie is a good action film if taken just that -- it's very loud and the action is staged quite effectively. But again, they do seem to go on for way too long, and after a while it all gets a bit repetitive. Run and shoot; talk about it; then run and shoot some more. A little bit of variety might have helped. Also, there are some very obvious product placement. Who knew that the South Korean government's super duper spy agency was sponsored by a major corporation? It must be, because we see the corporation's logo on the agency's helicopter!
I won't tell you how the movie ends, but you can probably guess. The film is not very original, even though a quiet love story managed to be very effective among the loud gunplay, running, and explosions. The film probably has too many plot points for its own good, and the ending, which takes place at a soccer stadium full of South Korean officials marked for assassination, is quite thrilling."
Rating: Summary: Thinking man's action movie Review: Thank God! Finally a movie where the motive isn't cynical, a la "follow the money." A passionate, intense, political movie. Bad news first: except for its politics, the movie breaks little new ground. This is not to say that it isn't clever, but the movie borrows plot elements and style liberally from the best action movies of the last twenty years from the USA and Hong Kong. The good news is, while the movie is derivative, it is exceptionally well written, acted, and directed. There is no little or no slack, and the action is intense and well-staged. All of the elements, which range from standard HK-style action sequences to HK-style romantic elements and political elements cohere into an intelligent whole. Verdict: don't miss it.
Rating: Summary: Great Movie, Great Plot, emotional & Action & suspense Review: The plot is great. The most interesting part is it is in a way different from most American action movies with similar plots. SHiri combines both emotion and excitement with solid plot. It is unlike from most action movies you will encounter. It goes beyond that. Surprisingly superb storylines and unbelievable actions. Great Cast. Main charater is a very well known actor in S.Korea. It is meaningless to compare with most holiwood action flicks unless you expect the same, flat out obvious plot with hardly any storyline and too unrealistic actions. THis movie is different, with full of fresh actions and storyline that also involve north and south korea.
Rating: Summary: School play with no emotional depth Review: The story is quite predictable and action has no speediness. This is 30 years behind Hongkong films in quality of action, 40 years behind Japanese films in depth of story, and 50 years behind Hollywood in entertainment.
Rating: Summary: VERY GOOD KOREAN MOVIE Review: This is a very VERY VERY good korean movie. I saw it a long time ago because it already came out in Korea like 3 years ago. This movie is action packed and very surprising. BUY IT
Rating: Summary: Great Flick!! Review: This is the first Korean action ovie that I have seen. If they are all of this caliber Hong Kong watch out. Outstanding performances by the leads. Good action segments. Well written. It is definately worth the price of admission!!!
Rating: Summary: definately worth a look Review: This is the first South Korean film that I have seen. I do not know if this is standard for what the nation puts out, or if this is a superior Korean movie. What I do know is that I thoroughly enjoyed Shiri. The basic plot of the movie is that there is an assassin named Hee taking out top officials of the South Korean government. Two of the top agents in S.K. are ordered to find and stop her. At the same time, an elite military group from North Korea has stolen a shipment of CTX, an extremely explosive liquid. Mix in a perfectly woven love story between one of the agents and a woman named Hyun, and you have one of the best action movies that should have been made in America but never was. While some may find parts of this movie cliché, there is very little in action cinema right now that is not cliché in some way. This movie is worth seeing for any fan of action movies, or of movies dealing with intelligence agents, assassins and spies. Excellent movie.
Rating: Summary: What A Movie! Review: This movie is a concoction of many romance, thriller and action movies. As the movie started, I thought to myself, ah, another shoot-shoot, bang-bang movie and that the heroes would be victorious in the end. Surprisingly, as the movie progresses, it actually turns out to be quite a movie with substance. The two South Korean agents that were assigned to track the assassin that killed many of their scientists started to suspect one another for being a mole as the assassin seemed to be ahead of them every & each time. Doesn't that remind you of Al Pacino and Colin Farrell in "The Recruit"? The question is who can we trust? Then, there was this over-the-top North Korean agent that lined his wits and brawns against the South Korean agent and naturally, there would be a grand finale show down. Doesn't that remind you of John Trovolta & Nicholas Cage in "Face Off"? Then, there was the element of romance to captivate female audience's interest. The South Korean agent's girl friend seemed to have a troubled past with alcohol and what was the demon that haunted her all this time? What was the corelation between her and the North Korean agent? Last but not least, it was the time to save the Presidents of both North & South Korea in the nick of time from their untimely death in an exhibition soccer match. Doesn't that remind you of Clint Eastwood trying to prevent John Malkovich from killing the President in "In The Line of Duty"? As been said by other viewers, the ending was very moving and you would definitely need tissues if you are a softie, which I am one! Overall, a very well-made movie and a movie that manages to captivate audience's interest from the beginning till the end. South Korea has definitely matured in its film-making by being daring to address the delicate or fragile peace between North & South Korea. You won't be disappointed with this offering.
Rating: Summary: Outstanding in every way!!! Review: This movie is a real treat. Great plot, great action, and great performances (although I don't speak any Korean). This movie reminded me of Heat with Pacino and DeNiro; of that same calibre, but with a different story line. Very emotional moments when the Northern Koreans reflect upon their life in the face of the South Koreans. This is a must see, a perfect 10 or 10, were 10 stars available!!!!
Rating: Summary: Excellent movie Review: This movie was excellent. Rarely is there a film where the romance and action are combined well - this one is it. Very fast, and there is plenty of action - but not so much so that you get sick of it. I've watched quite a few asian action movies - this is among the best. I don't own it but I'm going to buy myself a copy if I find one for a good price. Also, THE ENGLISH DUBBING (I THINK IT IS DUBBING) IS ALSO EXCELLENT!!! Love, Chin
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