Some of the most fascinating movies are coming out of Korea and thankfully Well Go is there to make sure they find their way to the American market. When you realize that the Oscar winner for best picture came from Asia it makes you take a second look at what they have to offer. This item was one that I enjoyed from start to finish.
Yong-hoo (Park Seo-joon) is a young man traumatized by the death of his parents at an early age. Taking all of that rage he uses it to survive becoming a top fighter and finally making his way into the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) combat. But something happens to him he never saw coming. He suddenly develops stigmata (the appearance of bodily wounds, scars and pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ) on his hands. This is even stranger since he abandoned belief in religion due to his parent’s death.
Seeking answers he meets and then consults with Father Ahn (Ahn Sung-ki) after a bout in the US. Father Ahn is an exorcist with the Church. Yong-hoo accompanies the priest on a visit and the marks on his hands help when it comes to saving someone from a demon. Father Ahn sees potential in Yong-hoo and attempts to recruit him in his battles but Yong refuses.
The inevitable happens when Father Ahn is in desperate need of help. Was there ever any doubt that Yong-hoo was going to follow this path? This leads to an action packed showdown at the end of the film that results in a satisfying conclusion. The only question one is left with is when will there be a sequel?
The film is that perfect combination of genres that makes for a fantastic sum of all its parts. There is humor, action, martial arts, drama, horror and more all melded into what many would think would be something cheesy and unspectacular. Instead the viewer is pleasantly surprised with a movie that holds your interest from start to finish. While many movies from foreign countries lose something in translation that’s not the case here.
The odds aren’t good that you’ll find this on the shelf of local Redbox. For me I would recommend it highly enough to say it’s worth adding to your personal collection. Well Go has done a fantastic job with the transfer of the film with the cleanest look possible to a well-made production. This one is worth looking for in whatever format you can find it.
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