Oldboy [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

It's mainly because of some of the negative reviews for this version of 'Oldboy' that makes me want to give credit where credit's due for this excellent remake of the Korean original.The original 'Oldboy' movie is very highly praised by movie fans and critics alike (and righly so) and although I enjoyed it and found it a very compelling watch, it was a bit of an odd one at the same time. The story and the gut wrenching twist of a finale really are what made it such an original and great movie.Much has been documented and reviewed about this version being inferior to the original but I genuinely disagree. Without taking anything away from the original Oldboy, for me this version really is much better.I've seen many movies with subtitles and I'm not averse to movies with subtitles but with this version being in English, it really makes everything so much clearer and the story much easier to get into and follow. Josh Brolin is truly excellent and plays the lead role with a brooding intensity that was lacking in the main character of the original Oldboy.The movie in the whole stays true to the original but has subtle differences and a different ending which for me makes more sense and is a much better and fitting end for the central character. Following the shocking revelations towards the end of the movie and the way it deeply affected him, you can understand why he would want things to end the way he did. It just makes more sense for it to end this way in this version.Two scenes in the original movie have been left out, one being the scene with the octopus (what did that honestly add to the movie) and the cutting out of his tongue (a totally pointless thing to do - and for what reason - it would gain him nothing).Sharlto Copley and Samuel L Jackson's characters are a tad OTT but don't spoil an otherwise great movie with a really great story which is somehow more vivid and detailed in this version.My only real gripe is the fight scenes in the warehouse corridor and lift which sees him walk away against absolutely impossible odds. It all looked a bit silly in the original version and although it was done with a bit more venom in this movie, it still seems too far fetched. It's a scene where a whole gang is attacking him but they only attack him one at a time, the others just hold back waving their sticks until it's their turn! I found myself still thinking "why don't the guys behind him whack him while his back is turned fighting those in front of him". It's done better in this movie but it's the one single scene in both movies that I will always feel could have been done better and in a different way to make it more believable.Remember this is only my own honest opinion but I do think that this is a really excellent remake which really does outdo the original. I'm happy to have both versions in my collection but this one I would happily watch again anytime over the original. At just under six quid on Blu Ray (current price) this really is worth having on your shelf.

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Lets deal with the elephant in the room first - this is a remake of the film Oldboy (2003) directed by Park Chan-wood. The original is brilliant and is a better film than this version in every way so if you're only going to watch one version and you're not averse to subtitles, watch that instead.However, having said all that, I was still pleasantly surprised by this version. On its own terms I thought it was a good film. Solidly directed by Spike Lee and boasting a quality cast, all on good form, it's more than worth a watch.The set up is simple but fantastic - a man is abducted, locked up for 20 years and then released. He has no idea who imprisoned him or why and now we follow him as he seeks answers to these questions. It turns into a rather violent quest, quite graphic in places and the tale takes some good twists and turns. It's likely to keep you guessing up until the disturbing outcome. Good stuff and underrated in my opinion.

This movie was on my to get list for quite some time, Amazon saved the day.

Oldboy is a fantastic film, it's dark, twisted, disturbing and there's alot of action in the film. All the actors are absolutely brilliant. I only watched this film because my favourite actor Elizabeth Olsen is in it and I though the film was well written and very well done, it's differently a good horror and action film. I would recommend to buy the DVD because delivery was on time and the DVD arrived in perfect condition.

As a big fan of Spike Lee's work, I have say that "Oldboy" is an atypical Lee film. Initially, I thought that it was intended as some sort of The Lost Weekend [Masters of Cinema] (Blu-ray) [1945]-type dream sequence; the consequences of the main character's alcohol withdrawal (maybe) but it quickly becomes apparent that is not the case.So what we are left with is a film about a useless but sympathetic office worker who after 20 years in solitary confinement is somehow a martial arts expert?It would take a classy director to pull that off. I have it on very good authority that the original Korean version of this film Oldboy [DVD] [2003] is excellent (and I will be checking it out)...As for the Spike Lee remake:- It won't appeal to fans of martial arts films as even to my inexperienced eye it's not technically good enough in that department;- It lacks the black humour, irony and eye for detail that could turn it into an entertaining Quentin Tarantino-type film (though please note, Lee is the better director IMHO);- If you're looking for violent/stylish/surreal, then Nicholas Winding Refn is yer man and does this sort of thing much better.I can only conclude that this was a bad choice of film for Lee to make and/or that his heart wasn't in it. However Lee is a great director and there are flashes of excellence in this movie, so I'm inclined to include the former, or, that Spike Lee has made one of the biggest sacrifices since Jesus and remade "Oldboy" as a commentary on violence in movies generally and as one which would pass muster with the critics (and it would) if it had been made by a bog-standard Hollywood director. I wouldn't put it past him...Overall, despite my respect for this great film maker, Oldboy probably one to avoid unless you're a Spike Lee fan in a forgiving frame of mind.

Did not think I would like the remark it brill