[K-Movie Review] The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008)

Kim Jee-Woon, director of A Bittersweet Life, brings another film to life in a new kind of western genre called The Good, The Bad, The Weird, which stars three of Korea’s top male actors, Son Kang-Ho, Lee Byung-Hun, and Jung Woo-Sung. Set in the vast deserts of Manchuria, three men “desperately chases after his dream…driven by the promise of riches, or by the need to prove himself to be the quickest gun in the land,” states Kim Jee-Woon. Due to the struggles and conflicting factions Korea faced in the 1930s, the three men were forced out of their beloved country to the plains of Manchuria, where they unexpectedly meet during a train robbery. When a treasure map is discovered during the robbery, the race for the treasure begins. From culture clashes and gun fights, to male egos and a sturdy scooter battling its way through the ultimate chase-scene in the movie, the audience is lead through the stunning twist and turns of the story where pieces of the men’s past are unveiled, and their hopes and dreams for their future are fought for.

Jung Woo-Sung plays the character Do-won, “The Good,” who is a bounty hunter after notorious criminals, and has his eyes set on Chang-yi, “The Bad” played by Lee Byung-Hun. Chang-yi is a merciless bandit leader hired to retrieve the treasure map, and stops at nothing to get it from the hands of Tae-goo, “The Weird” played by Song Kang-Ho. As startlingly offbeat Tae-goo may be from the other two men, he manages to dodge bullets left and right, and leads everyone in the greatest, if somewhat insane, pursuit for the treasure. Tae-goo fights his way, with the help of Do-won, from Chang-yi’s gang, and well as other Asian bandits and the Japanese army who are also in search of the treasure.

Each character was played beautifully by the actors, and though each was given the name of the Good, the Bad and the Weird, each had his own equal share of good, bad and weird qualities. Jung Woo-Sung looked great in western clothes, portraying a tough Asian cowboy who knew how to handle a rifle with one hand while swinging around on a rope and killing his enemies with such ease. Lee Byung-Hun is an incredible actor, and his big, wild eyes, and evil smirk portrayed the kind of murderous bandit his character called for. He does not simply walk into a room, but saunters in with a lazy attitude, and his fierce eyes takes in everything around him. Song Kang-Ho must be congratulated for his wonderful role of an unusual, and yet very lovable character who was able to give comic relief amid all of the action and drama. He could sometimes be considered silly or childish, but in a fight he’s all serious and knows how to kick butt.

Direction Kim Jee-Woon’s decision to get his hands on this new kinda of genre, an “oriental western,” enabled him to obtain the dream cast for his movie that starred Korea’s top male actors.  Being a new genre of western movies, The Good, The Bad, The Weird has been the largest-scaled production to date in Korean film with a budget of over $17 million. Having been nominated for 13 Asian film awards in 2008, including Best Picture and Director, the movie is an action-packed adventure that leaves viewers laughing and completely engrossed until the very end.

 HypnoticAsia had the opportunity to attend the press screening for this movie, since it will be shown in select theaters in the US. The film will be released on April 23rd in New York; April 30th in Los Angeles at the Landmark NuArt, and over 23 other cities nationwide by IFC Films. You can also watch this film on demand! To check availability in your area, check out their website for more details.

My take on the movie: It’s a good movie, something different from your usual Korean drama, and it will keep you entertained. Admitted, it isn’t something that screams, “PURE GENIUS!” But I was hooked into the story, and there were only certain moments when I stared at the screen with a “What in the world is going on?!” face. I think this is a total “guy movie,” with all the shooting and stunts going on–which the actors all did on their own, by the way. I’m an action-movie kind of girl, so I enjoyed it, and I had the chance to oogle Jung Woo-Sung in his cowboy uniform and sexy Lee Byung-Hun in his suit. teehee. Out of 5 stars, I’d give it a 4. Check out the movie for yourself if you haven’t already! 🙂