Ransomed

Ransomed is a Well balanced Thriller. This Well Go USA release is loosely based on real events that took place in the lead up the critically important 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. When a previously kidnapped Korean Diplomat in Lebanon turns out to be alive a Korean Diplomatic office worker, played smartly by Ha Jung-woo, goes on a mission to deliver the ransom money and secure his release. When the mission gets dangerous and complicate he is forced to partner with an ex-pat, Korean taxi driver living in the area. That character is played by Ju Ji-hoon, and he is really, really great to watch. The film has elements of a spy thriller, action film, with the balance of the comedic aspects of an American "Buddy Film". There were times it reminded me of Escape to Mogadishu, which was more serious; at times of Argo; and at other times, Rush Hour. The end result of the film is one that is highly watchable and engaging. I highly recommend it. The acting, script, Direction, and cinematography are all very good. The supporting cast is very good in this, both on the Korean side, and inside of Beirut. Watch it in Korean, with English subititles.

Great movie with a mix of drama and action. The whole movie is action packed and I, as a viewer, find it interesting to watch a wide variety of characters who want something of their own. It's worth adding that the movie is really based on real events and it's a payoff. Koreans were able to convey the atmosphere of a real case.

There are a lot of funny moments in the movie, which together with the fight scenes look decent. And the dramatic moments make you feel completely different emotions. The movie raises eternal questions such as friendship, betrayal, etc.

I would also note the excellent camerawork and music accompaniment.

This is one of the few decent movies where the main genres are action and comedy.

In my review of the movie "Ransomed" from a Lebanese perspective, I found it disheartening that despite the story being set in Lebanon during the 1980s civil war, the film was shot in Morocco. The landscape, including scenes like the airplane landing, lacked authenticity, making it challenging for me, as a Lebanese viewer, to connect with the narrative. The discrepancy extended to actors, houses, and language pronunciation, diverting from the genuine Lebanese experience.

While I empathize with the historical event of the Korean diplomat's kidnapping in Lebanon, it was unfortunate to witness a portrayal that deviated from our reality. As a Lebanese, I believe it's crucial to honor history accurately, even when showcasing it through cinematic lenses.

It is masterpiece movie for my lifetime. It is full of thrilling and humorous scenes and touching message for me. It is based on a true kidnapped story of a Korean diplomat on 1987 but Director Kim who directed "Kingdom" famous series of Netflix created it as his own version. The thrill and action, specifically car chase scenes remind me "mission impossible " It made me unable to take my eyes off of it for a moment.

It is so sHighly recommend this movie to any audience specially if you need "laughter " and "freedom from stress" and "buddy to trust you and give up his/her most precious chance for you"

Korean political action thriller in the same vein as Mogadishu and The Point Men.

Ha Jung-woo stars in the really entertaining film by up-and-coming director Kim Seong-hun (who already proved his worth with A Hard Day, and continues to do so here). Possibly a better offering than the other two films mentioned before, in a sense that it melds geopolitical concerns with plenty of action and humor without ever hitting a false note, bar an occasional scene.

I find it hard to believe there would be a genre fan out there who wouldn't at least enjoy parts of what Ransomed offers. It's so, so fun, intense, creative in its action scenes that its two-hour runtime zips by.

Very much recommended to genre fans, and/or if you simply like commercial entertainment done right.