Illang: The Wolf Brigade

Alright, well why would Korean take on remaking "Jin Roh: Wolf Brigade"? That just eluded me.

Regardless, I found this movie on Netflix while perusing through their Asian section. Having seen the animated movie back during my late teenage years, of course I had to give a live action movie a view, without a doubt.

So how was it? Well in all honesty, I can say that it wasn't all that impressive. Sure, the visual effects and the armors were great, and there were a couple of good gun fights. But the storyline was just so mediocre that it was hard to get immersed into the movie, into the universe and into embracing the Korean remake.

The acting in the movie was fairly good, taking into consideration the horribly weak script they had to work with.

Sure, the movie was adequate for what it turned out to be, and it was entertaining for sure. I had just expected somewhat more from a live action movie based on the classic "Jin Roh: Wolf Brigade" anime. But for viewers not familiar with the 1999 anime, then I am sure this is a mighty fine and dandy movie. But for us already well familiar with the 1999 anime, not so much...

This was a major flop on release in Korea.... But I found it stylish satisfying and at times genuinely scary! Perhaps not being aware of its background helped. I genuinely enjoyed it.

Entertaining and quite intelligent combat and action sequences throughout the movie; however, remarkably dumb reasons provided by the plot to explain the purpose of this combat. I thought all of the fighting and firefights of the movie were incredibly unique and interesting as far as movies go, the setting was also something that I enjoyed. But, it really feels as if the actions of any character become pointless, especially during the third act of the movie.

I love every movie I've seen from director Jee-woon Kim and the fact that bring back the iconic action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger in his American debut The Last Stand (2013) so when I heard he about to direct the live action adaptation of Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade I can only imagine how awesome the famous incident in the sewers scene on the big scene or the special police unit armor would look like with real people but what I don't know is Jee-woon Kim also bring back home the Hollywood treatment for foreign movies for Illang.I don't mind the change in the story for it to fit the current state of North Korea and South Korea but what I do mind is how much different the two main characters in Illang to their Japanese counterpart in Jin Roh.There so much more action in Illang so for people that think Jin Roh is boring without the action it definitely a plus but for me the four short action scene in the original are still superior thank to how emotionally attached I am to the characters and the ending make me have no desire to watch it again

Out of all world cinema I have to say Korea may well be the one I've always had the best relationship with. They from experience are consistent in their filmmaking efforts and for the most part this is no different.

A Netflix live action adaptation of a Japanese anime series of movies, I went in unfamiliar with the source material. I now look forward to giving the three movies my time as this was interesting stuff.

With a complex plot that's frighteningly realistic, true to life and believable it looks like a AAA Hollywood movie. It is quite frankly a feast for the eyes, the incredibly structured action sequences, cinematic visuals and cinematography. A feast for the mind however? Less so.

I'm not saying this is a brainless action flick because it's really not, in many ways it might be considered too smart for its own good and the plot is hard to do justice in little over two hours.

I would however recommend this to those into their action/martial arts films over anyone really wanting something to get their teeth into. It looks fantastic, the cast deliver but I feel they undershot a tad.

The Good:

Strong soundtrack

Some decent writing

Looks fantastic

Very well choreographed action

The Bad:

Scale isn't done justice