The Good, the Bad and the Weird (2008)
Duration: 139 minutes
Certified: 14
Directed by: Kim Ji-Woon
Starring: Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, Jung Woo-sung, Yoon Je-moon
KRS release
The Asian spaghetti-western is set in the 1930s, when the Korean peninsula has been invaded by the Japanese.
The wild expanses of Manchuria has welcomed many of those who have escaped and taken up a life of banditry. Here we meet (the Weird) Tae-goo (Song Kang-ho) who is robbing a train full of Japanese military officials.
This sparks off a fierce gunfight where Tae-goo is intent on escaping with a secret map that shows him the way to a hidden treasure in Manchuria dating back to the Qing Dynasty.
However, Tae-goo is not the only one looking for the map. Expert hitman Chang-yi (The Bad) (Lee Byung-hun) has also set his sights on the map.
That is when Tae-goo is saved by a mystery gunfighter, Do-won (The Good) (Jung Woo-sung).
What Tae-goo does not know is that Do-won is a bounty hunter that had been hunting him for the reward that is on his head.
The three will soon discover they are not the only ones looking for the hidden treasure as bandits. The Japanese military and the Korean resistance all want to get their hands on this secret stash.
This South Korean film is obviously inspired by the spaghetti-westerns of Sergio Leone. To its advantage, the production not only hints or nods at, but revels in its inspirations.
The film has earned more than $40 million, making it the second highest-grossing Korean film.
Just like its inspiration, this film is all about style. As with the classic Leone movies, the plot is a bit thin on the ground but it is graced with a speed that has break-neck intensity.
The mingling together of martial arts, Western and adventure genres at hyper speed, with a good dose of charm, works wonders.
At the same time, director Kim Ji-woon has delivered a film that is impeccable in its comic timing as he also surmounts the difficult task of creating a comedy Western.
Mr Kim knows his Sergio Leone; while paying tribute to his films, however, he adds his own infusion of comedy which bring to the fore a very different kind movie, one where everything is possible.
The humour is a mix of dark and over the top, but always very cinematic and broad in its taste.
Another aspect of the film is that it is visually spot on; wonderful settings and set pieces, excellent costumes and vibrant stunt work.
The editing keeps the film on a tight rein and delivers action sequences impeccably.
To the production’s merit, while the film is very self aware of its influences, it never resorts to simply copying or cloning. The production is giving an altogether different take on the subject material.
This is a film where everything that could possibly work is thrown into it. The setting and overall look is full of swagger and very much in line with the film’s spirit.
This film has all the makings of a cult movie.