Kill Boksoon

Watched on a whim without expectations and was thoroughly impressed.

Takes you back to the days of the classic early 2000s Korean crime/action genre. If you enjoyed "A bittersweet life", "The man from nowhere", "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" or even the much grittier "Old Boy" then you will enjoy this film like I did.

Convincing world building, a brilliant cast mixed with stylish action scenes and a dash of humor/heartache.

Made me sign in to this IMDB account of which I haven't touched in 9 years to leave a positive review to try and right the injustice of the current 6.8 rating.

Worthy of your time.

It's really about an 8.5 for me, but like others, I felt the need to aid in getting this movie more appropriately rated.

What keeps it from being a full 10 for me was the length, a somewhat dissatisfying ending, and a not fully explained flashback scene.

But what it did well, it did very well indeed. The fight scenes were absolutely outstandingly choreographed and filmed. The angst between mother and daughter was realistic. The irony of honor and rules being part of an assassin's "moral" code was breathtaking in its absurdity, but the film still manages to convince you of the sincerity of their convictions, even as you disagree with them.

So please give this movie a fair shot. I probably won't watch it again, as gore isn't usually my thing. But it is a movie worth seeing for some amazing acting, fight scenes, complex characters living double lives, and the thing I loved the most was seeing a middle aged woman be attractive, strong, and portray such depth.

Not my typical watch. Lorry loads of blood delivered via a plot that only exists to provide an excuse for violence.

Yet this film does transcend those limitations. The characters are well drawn and acted with meaningful relationships. This is one of the key strengths of k drama that makes me watch so much of it.

So, much of the violence is more than mere violence. Otherwise it would grow ever more boring. But here virtually every duel to the death involves some complication between the characters that adds interest.

But the most important (and difficult) relationship is between the female protagonist and her daughter. I found that relationship believable and meaningful. It gave this film a much-needed dimension beyond the gore. It raised this film above watchable to almost recommended.

Seen a lot of people reviewing and comparing this movie to John Wick and saying that it isn't as good. But John Wick is soooo cliché and gratuitous with it's violence and isn't very good. I stopped half way through John Wick 2 because I couldn't take it anymore. In Kill Boksoon, I liked the main story and I also liked the mother-daughter story as an opposite to the main which brought some balance between action and emotion. The characters are well developed and have depth. The acting is very good. It's worth watching and doesn't feel as long as the 2hr 14min suggest. If you like John Wick and assassin movies but don't like this one then I'm smh.

"Kill Boksoon" is a captivating Netflix film that explores the life of a contract killer and single mother, Boksoon, played by the phenomenal Jeon Do-yeon. The movie showcases Boksoon as an empowered woman with a 100% success rate in her deadly profession. At the same time, it delves into her personal struggles as she tries to maintain a healthy relationship with her teenage daughter, Jae-young, portrayed by Kim Si-a.

The action sequences in "Kill Boksoon" are intense and visceral, living up to the high standards of top-line Korean action thrillers. As Boksoon continues to excel in her dangerous career, she must also navigate the emotional minefield of her daughter's growing pains. This unique blend of action and emotion adds depth and complexity to the film.

Despite some familiar emotional elements, "Kill Boksoon" manages to create an engaging and entertaining experience for viewers. The film's portrayal of the challenges faced by a single mother, who also happens to be a ruthless killer, offers a fresh take on the action-comedy genre.

If you're a fan of dark action-comedies with a touch of emotional depth, "Kill Boksoon" is a must-watch. With its thrilling fight scenes and realistic exploration of motherhood, this film strikes the perfect balance between exhilarating action and heartwarming emotion.