The Suspect [DVD]

After I watched Yellow River a few years ago I became a huge fan of Korean films. They have an organic and tactile substance about them that American films were famous for in Cinema's golden age.Most all Korean films rely on the 'flashback' as an intrinsic aspect of the fabula and syuzhet, usually in Korean films this takes the form of the loss of loved ones, debts that must be repaid or scores that must be settled, in that regard The Suspect is cast very much in that mould.Taking its lead from the Jason Bourne films we embark on a journey with a suitably emotionally wounded man with a shady past and of exceptional military skills who is either revenging his dead wife or his dead boss, its hard to tell, it could be both.He is pursued by a similarly technically and physically skilled counterpart of whom it is also difficult to determine who's side he is on or who he is working for.That part of the film is the easiest to deduce, after that is descends into a mashup of rapid editing and the camera work of someone suffering from St Vitus Dance. For non korean speaking viewers it is necessary to stay focused on the subtitles whilst watching the action unfold otherwise we start to lose track of characters, who they are, why they are there and why they are doing what they are doing.The exceptionally rapid editing of the film combined with the frantic camera work makes this task, sadly, almost impossible. Characters appear and disappear and are given tasks but it happens so fast you struggle to identify them as assistants to the protagonists or antagonists, to wit; we don't know if they are goodies or baddies. I managed to watch the film to about half way through up to a car chase, however the editing and camerawork during this scene gave me nausea and a pounding headache and I simply could not watch anymore. Trying to read the subtitles while the shots changed so fast made it impossible to actually make out what was happening on screen and it just p/ss$ed me off so much that I gave up. Somewhere in The Suspect is a great story and an engaging central character fighting to get out but with this kind of style over substance editing he doesn't have a chance.Its a shame the producers of the film tried to ape the Bourne films a little too closely.

Excellent action movie which for once, lived up to its hype: if I was being hyper critical I'd say it was a combination of several films, but so what? The story is good, the characters are interesting and the fight choreography is extremely good. If this film featured European actors it would be a box office smash.It's been out for a couple of years now, so it should be available pretty cheap: give it a go. Trust me, there's far worse films out there.

This was a tight, well written and acted spy thriller. It has a little of the feel of the old Cold War spy thrillers, which were more about characters and situations rather than out and out beat 'em ups. The fight scenes were exciting and brutal and felt real - no one was overly acrobatic or could fight with broken limbs - and the chases were thrilling. As well, it had a nicely wrapped up ending.The actors were great, the hero was brilliantly tragic and driven, the police, military and intelligence people were all clever and professional. Essentially this is a film that doesn't talk down to you.Definitely worth the 2 hours I spent watching it.

Expect to see some mish-mash up of Point Break, The Fugitive, Bourne Identity, and Taken but done with a gusto and a Korean sense of humour and loyalty with a political conscience. Loved every minute of the ride.

A slick and fast paced action thriller set in Korea in the style of Bourne. Fans of the genre will enjoy. It is subtitled. I found it slightly too long but otherwise of a good standard.

Brilliant movie. I've watched it several times now. Great acting, great action scenes, great story and the very gorgeous Gong Yoo in the lead role.

this is a damn good film for any body who likes a thriller/action film. The Koreans are making their mark in the film industry as I have now watched several Korean films and they are superb.

Without doubt Korean drama is equal to Hollywood and in many cases superior and the star Gong Yoo should be an International Stay. First class entertainment, great scripts with English sub titles,superb choreography with amazing supporting cast. Watch and enjoy. Ciao from Milan.