The Killer

No pun intended - whenever I hear the Killer ... I always think of John Woos classic movie. A movie that really changed a lot for me - and I suspect not just for me. I like movies from everywhere and try to watch as many as possible (which you may have already figured out) ... but Killer and Hard Boiled were quite the revelations for me.

Now this has nothing to do with that movie and stands on his own. Like the titular character. He knows what he is doing ... and he still will do anything his girlfriend tells him to do ... even babysitting. Which is not an easy thing to do anyway - but even worse when the subject is attracting evil people ... and trouble. I would not entirely blame her - spoiled as she might be. But it also helps the story move along ... and gives us a lot of action sequences ... very well choreographed ones at that.

The stoic nature of our main character, the knowledge that he is better than others ... well maybe you can identify with that - like I do. I'm just kidding of course ... we wish. Great action cinema ... paper thin story, but enough to keep it all moving along. With a main bad guy, we get to see fight our guy over and over again ... what more could you wish for?

A man gets suckered into watching the daughter of his wife's friend with the explicate instruction of making sure she is safe only to learn the teen is being targeted by a sex trafficking ring. No problem though because this fella is a top notch mercenary/hitman and willing to go to great lengths to keep the girl safe.

Great action choreography and stunt work but the story is lacking.

There wasn't enough focus on the story to help the viewer care about what was happening. We find out very little about the teen, the hitman and his wife or a GOOD reason as to why the girl was targeted. However, the action scenes are really done well and sorta carry the entire film.

Not the best woven story but still a decent watch for the action.

The action sequences are entertaining as hell and the lead actor is a Korean John Wick. His wife has a friend with a daughter and the hitman is convinced to watch over the teenage girl for a couple of weeks. It seems simple enough until the teen is abducted by a sex trafficking ring run by the Russian mafia.

The story becomes a bit confused as the hitman climbs the ladder of bad guys, killing legions along the way, using his hands, feet, knives and occasional gun to accomplish his mission.

He is a combination of Bruce Lee and John Wick and has the charisma to carry the film to its' predictable conclusion.

Do not expext Citizen Kane here but just sit back and enjoy the ride for an hour and a half.

Jang Hyuk returns to the big screen with a strong performance of a retired hitman named Bang Ui-gang, whom agrees to watch over middle schooler, Kim Yoon-ji (Lee Seo-young), whilst her family is on vacation. Ui-gang ultimately returns to his roots as an assassin when he uncovers a conspiracy involving Yoon-ji, tying deep into the branches of pedophilia and sex-trafficking.

Adapted from the novel 'The Kid Deserves to Die' written by Bang Ji-ho. The titular character we follow throughout the film is an often cold and calculated individual who always seems to be one step ahead of the rest. Having all the connections and the wealth to be a worthy adversary to those within the criminal underground. Reminiscent to the character John Wick portrayed by Keanu Reeves. His presence manages to stir the pot, leaving no one unscathed. Audiences are spoiled with one of the best action packed South Korean blockbusters of the summer. With brutal executions, and an array of extraordinary stunts and martial arts choreography performed by Jang Hyuk himself. The theater was left in a state of excitement and awe by what we all witnessed with this film. Viewers are even treated to behind-the-scenes footage during the end credits so stay tuned.

Although, the storyline does feel all-too-familiar with tropes that leave viewers yearning for more. Director Jae-hoon Choi tries to make the most of this straightforward shoot 'em up. Applying touches of emotion and witty dialogue between characters that fills some holes of where this rodeo is lacking.

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If you follow Korean cinema you already know that Korean auteurs, among the best in the world, prefer to be first with a concept. However if they have to be a copycat, they will be relentless in trying to improve on the original. As good as this is, it has the same failings as the iconic American original, too fast, too furious, too frenetic, too implausible. Which is why it never comes close to the Korean masterpiece THE MAN FROM NOWHERE 2010, on my IMBb list of all time classics. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))