The Villagers

Simply putt. The lack of common sense and logic is mind boggling annoying, cringe worthy stupid at times. The story script is trash.

An easy flowing crime mystery thriller.

Not sure why some reviews here are so harsh, during the whole movie I wasn't bored a single second, also there are a few very funny witty humorous scenes.

8/10 , totally recommend.

Note: This review is purely for Don Lee fans, I cannot think as a non-fan after loving so many of his movies.

The Villagers are certainly a quirky bunch. A whole town not caring about a Seoul girl? Found this hard to believe from the first scene. From the first scene, if you want to leave your critical mind out, you will love this movie which tackles so many issues in today's world such as abuse of girls.

There are many scenes which make you want to leave, particularly towards the end. Still, the setting up of the villains as predatory makes us appreciate at least the effort of the moviemakers. The main issue is that you are able to predict what will happen next easily, especially in a small village like this.

The Don Lee's nature of muscling away thugs in the action scenes are repetitive for normal people, yet a treat for his fans and those who buy into the plot of this average movie. Still, the blind eye shown to such issues by the villagers will make you feel strongly for the cause this character crusades for. The solving of the crime is not thrilling like a Sherlock Holmes film.

Even with all these defects, the alluring nature of the village and the way the movie reveals the accounts of different people in a confusing puzzle at least helps one feel something big is about to happen. In the end, this does happen and the biggest criminals are brought down by the seemingly normal people, who are often abused by those in power. This is all a normal person watching a movie asks for and is gifted in this delightful treat.

Ma Dong-seok, aka Don Lee, stars in this Korean action thriller about an ex-boxing Coach who takes a teaching job after his temper gets him in trouble in boxing world politics. He discovers that teaching at an affluent all girls school is, perhaps, harder than being a professional fighter. To compound matters, a young student goes missing and his pursuit of her disappearance takes him to some dark places.

Don Lee is a film sensation. He has starred in some of the best films in the world, including Train to Busan, The Gangster, The Cop & The Devil, and The Round Up series. His mix of machismo and humor make him a formidable screen presence. He is very good in this film. His ability to transform his character from a "fish out of water" to a paternalistic hero is one he plays very believably.

Kim Sae-ron's performance as a frustrated and untrusting student in search of her missing friend is very compelling. She plays the role effectively, with subtlety.

The two main leads go from adversaries to partners on a single quest and this is the heart of the film. It offers the humanity in this thriller.

The plot and Direction are very good and they embody some of the key elements of Korea's film success. Those elements are strong characters, a good plot, and fluid lines between the good guys and bad guys that keep you guessing, at times who can be trusted.

The action and fight scenes are good. No one handles "one v. Multiple attackers" better than Don Lee. His believable conquest of mere mortals is always fun to marvel at. This film's fights are no exception

The film is a worthwhile and I recommend it.

I get it: 80% of the times, Korean movies always have some kind of comedy-relief in the middle of their plot. Even if it's tagged as an action, mystery and/or crime. And I have nothing against it.

However, omitting any to those humorous moments or characters in the genre, trailer, storyline and/or poster it is seriously misleading., and it's starting to get on my nerves.

Can we (and the industry) start adding «comedy» or a similar tag to this kind of movies and dramas? Because, if you don't, and then see «The Man from Nowhere» as a recommendation, then I am expecting a serious, action filled kind of movie, and this was not it - even though Ma Dong Seok always kicks ass.