AS all movie reviews should begin, I would like to describe what the technical details of this movie. This film is clipped in such a way that the pace is suffocating, crisp with constant camera angle tilts. The seldom use of 'on air' footage brings the immersion it needs to carry the audience away such that it brings about a spectacular effect. Special effects are reminiscence of the recent Korean special effects, which meant top quality Hollywood style full of explosions. In a way, this movie is the paradigm of Korea movies that involves minimal background...
And then . . . Well, after you watch this movie, you will know that what I just said is complete nonsense . . .Terror Live is so much more than that.
In a way, this movie is a cult film, though I always thought that cult movies' shooting style involves massive amount of makeup, black humor, but never thought of a backroom that ended up dealing with terrorist activities. No, this is a cult, but not a typical one. So the movie, to its genre, is a movie that is impeccable. It reveals how mass media works , talks openly about social problems, caring not to cover the most corrupted part of human nature.
I can't help but think if Hollywood was to shoot a movie like this, it would be about the anchor soloing the terrorist, which would be hilarious of course (and ridiculous).
But thank God Hollywood did not shoot this film, but rather, Korea. Spoiler ALERT: Let's talk about the plot. Starts off really simple, with a 'terrorist' calling a depressed anchor. This anchor is laidened with scandal and had recently divorced, but he had ambition still. When the terrorist detonated the bridge, he immediately took action, turning his tiny room into a live news room and went live with it. The terrorist breaks out a tale of poor workmen who died years earlier, and demanded the president of Korea to appear on stage to apologise. Anchor tried to negotiate, but found that his earpiece was also live...in the sense that a bomb is installed inside, of which he was force to stay and broadcast (as he wanted to back out). Negotiation continued, but both the president and the terrorist refuse to give up what each other wanted, and the anchor was stuck. And as we all know that the longer stalemates continues, the worse it gets, the terrorist detonated places one by one, ending up with his possible lair, ending up with...it is a tragedy, one that ends with a ka-boom that felt more like a punch to the heart than a joyous bang.
Indeed, short story short, the movie ambitiously takes up a front against the problem with the modern society, about who is in charge. Is it the people? The government? Or is it the media?
an anchor obsessed with taking bribes is demoted to take advantage of this opportunity to make a turnaround ; one because they were kicked and retaliation directed radio report leaked to the opponent ; leading a snc television ratings can be sacrificed for hostages and his own subordinates anchor ; Director of a headstrong police did not result in the eye of the terrorists were killed ; there is a frame of terrorism offenses and a director of the Office of Cheong Wa Dae refused to apologize, only to hear the sound of the last president, staged a safeguard their own interests in their respective positions on the play . No good nor bad is exactly labeled, but in the end, all who watched the movie will grimace at how humanity was presented. There is the government, but it only showed its arrogant and darkness. There are good folks, but ultimately they are, all of them, flawed. Indifferent president, ambitious anchor, greedy boss, arrogant police chief, the flaccid director against terrorism, and the terrorist.
Finally I have to commend Jung-woo Ha. His performance one of the most amazing I have seen in recent Korean film industry. In the first 10 minutes you will witness some of the most subtle yet stunning image change from a rather sloppy radio personality to a believable anchor man. Then, next hour you will spend gnawing your finger as the you witness his face turning from anticipation to fear to anger to regret, yet manage to keep his show alive. Then...you have the end. Well, that was surely a boss way to end the movie. Bravo, well done.
It is highly recommended for those thrill seekers who are sick of pure action. It is highly recommended for those who are sick of the government (no it is not promoting anarchy, but rather the helplessness of the general public, but it does make the gov look horrible). It is highly recommended for those who want to see some highly intelligent conversations. It is highly recommended for those who loves ending with a blast. It is a 'terrible'movie beautifully done for it encompass a nation within a simple TV room, and the movie itself is one of the best in recent Korea.
And then . . . Well, after you watch this movie, you will know that what I just said is complete nonsense . . .Terror Live is so much more than that.
In a way, this movie is a cult film, though I always thought that cult movies' shooting style involves massive amount of makeup, black humor, but never thought of a backroom that ended up dealing with terrorist activities. No, this is a cult, but not a typical one. So the movie, to its genre, is a movie that is impeccable. It reveals how mass media works , talks openly about social problems, caring not to cover the most corrupted part of human nature.
I can't help but think if Hollywood was to shoot a movie like this, it would be about the anchor soloing the terrorist, which would be hilarious of course (and ridiculous).
But thank God Hollywood did not shoot this film, but rather, Korea. Spoiler ALERT: Let's talk about the plot. Starts off really simple, with a 'terrorist' calling a depressed anchor. This anchor is laidened with scandal and had recently divorced, but he had ambition still. When the terrorist detonated the bridge, he immediately took action, turning his tiny room into a live news room and went live with it. The terrorist breaks out a tale of poor workmen who died years earlier, and demanded the president of Korea to appear on stage to apologise. Anchor tried to negotiate, but found that his earpiece was also live...in the sense that a bomb is installed inside, of which he was force to stay and broadcast (as he wanted to back out). Negotiation continued, but both the president and the terrorist refuse to give up what each other wanted, and the anchor was stuck. And as we all know that the longer stalemates continues, the worse it gets, the terrorist detonated places one by one, ending up with his possible lair, ending up with...it is a tragedy, one that ends with a ka-boom that felt more like a punch to the heart than a joyous bang.
Indeed, short story short, the movie ambitiously takes up a front against the problem with the modern society, about who is in charge. Is it the people? The government? Or is it the media?
an anchor obsessed with taking bribes is demoted to take advantage of this opportunity to make a turnaround ; one because they were kicked and retaliation directed radio report leaked to the opponent ; leading a snc television ratings can be sacrificed for hostages and his own subordinates anchor ; Director of a headstrong police did not result in the eye of the terrorists were killed ; there is a frame of terrorism offenses and a director of the Office of Cheong Wa Dae refused to apologize, only to hear the sound of the last president, staged a safeguard their own interests in their respective positions on the play . No good nor bad is exactly labeled, but in the end, all who watched the movie will grimace at how humanity was presented. There is the government, but it only showed its arrogant and darkness. There are good folks, but ultimately they are, all of them, flawed. Indifferent president, ambitious anchor, greedy boss, arrogant police chief, the flaccid director against terrorism, and the terrorist.
Finally I have to commend Jung-woo Ha. His performance one of the most amazing I have seen in recent Korean film industry. In the first 10 minutes you will witness some of the most subtle yet stunning image change from a rather sloppy radio personality to a believable anchor man. Then, next hour you will spend gnawing your finger as the you witness his face turning from anticipation to fear to anger to regret, yet manage to keep his show alive. Then...you have the end. Well, that was surely a boss way to end the movie. Bravo, well done.
It is highly recommended for those thrill seekers who are sick of pure action. It is highly recommended for those who are sick of the government (no it is not promoting anarchy, but rather the helplessness of the general public, but it does make the gov look horrible). It is highly recommended for those who want to see some highly intelligent conversations. It is highly recommended for those who loves ending with a blast. It is a 'terrible'movie beautifully done for it encompass a nation within a simple TV room, and the movie itself is one of the best in recent Korea.