Oldboy
The Oldboy remake is second-fiddle in nearly every way to its South Korean inspiration (save performances).
Spike Lee’sOldboyfollows advertising executive Joe Doucett ( Josh Brolin ) , who after a night of wakeless drinking , awakens inside a locked hotel way . For two decennary , Doucett remains held inside the jail cell with no noesis of his captors , the reason behind his captivity , or whether he ’ll see freedom again . In the intervening time , Doucett is blame for the death of his wife by authorities who dare he is either dead or long move . ineffective to defend himself against the allegations , much less bring out that he is being held against his will , Doucett snuff it the fourth dimension training and pouring over news report in the hopes that someday he ’ll be able to seek revenge for the criminal offense against his family and reconnect with his since orphaned daughter .
After a full twenty years , Doucett is abruptly liberate and provide with thousands in Johnny Cash to help him get back on his metrical unit . In an effort to determine a purpose for the abduction , the former captive seeks out his good Quaker , Chucky ( Michael Imperioli ) and accept assist from a local clinician assistant , Marie ( Elizabeth Olsen ) . However , with every closed book that Doucett uncovers , he becomes increasingly aware that his former captors are still watching - but for what purpose ?
For viewers that do not make love the history behind Spike Lee’sOldboy , the 2013 motion-picture show is an American remake of the cult - classic 2003 South Korean celluloid of the same name , directed by Chan - wook Park ( which was derived from a manga tale by Nobuaki Minegishi and Garon Tsuchiya ) . Over the last ten days Park’sOldboyhas produce increasingly popular around the globe and , unfortunately , Lee ’s remaking is little more than an Americanized adaptation , swap out English - address Hollywood histrion for the original subtitle ( or dub ) Korean performers - while failing to ameliorate upon any of the original film ’s plot of land twists , optical esthetical , or action set pieces . Nevertheless , theOldboystory is still a captivating ( not to note rick ) one , and Lee , along with screenwriter Mark Protosevich ( I Am Legend ) , only makes minor change to the main narrative arc - elaborate the booster ’s imprisonment from 15 to 20 year , among other little pinch .
At 104 minutes , the American remaking is a full 16 minutes shorter than Park’sOldboy . The result is a slightly more straightforward motion picture that forgoes some of the original movie ’s stranger moments ( i.e. octopus ) in ordination to keep the mystery - thriller plot go without too many detour that might be distracting to a mainstream westerly audience . Yet , the shortened runtime also forces Lee to cannonball along key encounters , which are not always given enough time and space to develop , as well as forgoing meaningful insight or update to the context and its primary characters . To compensate , Oldboy2013 utilizes several on - the - nose exposition dumps , where subtly is abandoned in party favour of quickly explaining the unfolding berth to viewers who might have problem keep up - especially in the third act .
apart from its story , Park’sOldboyis also celebrated for its haunting visuals and iconic one - take hallway conflict that lasts three full mo - neither of which are improved upon in the remake . Lee delivers competent backup man , but alternatively of impassioned filmmaking choices , much of theOldboyremake come across as a checklist of key constituent that needed to be incorporated ( and subsequently translate for an American stage setting ) . In particular , even though the hallway combat offers some exciting and cringe - inducing legal action , it ’s pretty at betting odds with the rest of the film ( eastern culture is mostly just window dressing this meter ) , included because of its grandness to the original , but without much inspired or memorable loop in the existent episode .
The biggest marketing point of the picture show , and the master reason that it ’s still recommendable , is a static of well - known acting talents that will probably make this translation of theOldboystoryline more palatable to certain western viewers . Despite the rigors of the stuff , Josh Brolin does n’t break a muckle of new primer coat as the tortured Joe Doucett , mostly riffing on similar still - but - deadly types that he ’s make for before . Still , even though he does n’t raise the bar , the actor is a good conniption for the case and delivers in several thought-provoking moments that , without his full committal and gift , could have drastically anguish the film ’s emotional puncher .
Similarly , Samuel L. Jackson does n’t step too far out of doors of his common comfort zone ( aside from an askew yellow mohawk ) but is at the center of attention of several misrepresented moment that will keep audience squirming . Instead of the more outspoken depiction of The Captor ( as originally portrayed by Yoo Ji - tae ) , Sharlto Copley ’s take is much more eccentric - presenting a perverted cartoon graphic symbol that will , dependent on the watcher , either be the highlight of Lee’sOldboyor an eye - rolling inclusion from start to cultivation . Fortunately , up - and - comer Elizabeth Olsen keeps any of the more outlandish personalities run aground with a superb supporting performance that throw in much - involve life and empathy into a film filled to the brim by violent and ( by choice ) empty men .
Despite the update American scope and full decade since Park’sOldboy , Lee includes very few fresh idea - failing to build any meaningful or thoughtful add-on onto an already secure foundation . As a result , moviegoers who are off - put by subtitle foreign films will now have chance to enjoy theOldboystory competently brought to animation with familiar Hollywood face . Understandably , Lee ’s version could make for a more immersive and relatable experience for sure audience members in the West - gayly exposing more people to the creative and controversial write up . Nevertheless , theOldboyremake is 2d - fiddle in nearly every agency to its South Korean inspiration ( make unnecessary operation ) - and for anyone who has seen the original , this interpretation will arrive across as a watered - down photocopy .
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Josh Brolin as Joe Doucett in the ‘Oldboy’ Remake
Oldboyruns 104 minutes and is Rated R for strong fell fury , disturbing images , some graphic sex and nudity , and language . Now toy in theaters .
allow us know what you thought of the picture show in the comment plane section below . If you ’ve seen the movie and desire to discuss details about the film without worrying about rape it for those who have n’t seen it , please head over to ourOldboySpoilers Discussion .
For an in - deepness discussion of the film by the Screen Rant editors curb back shortly for ourOldboyepisode of theSR Underground podcast .
Elizabeth Olsen as Marie in ‘Oldboy’
Oldboy , directed by Spike Lee , is a neo - noir natural action thriller that centers on Joe Doucett , who is inexplicably nobble and hold intent for 20 years . Upon his sack , Joe embarks on a mission to expose the reason behind his incarceration and exact revenge . The moving picture features performances by Josh Brolin , Elizabeth Olsen , and Sharlto Copley , and reimagines the 2003 South Korean film of the same name .
Joe Doucett enjoying his luxurious accommodations in ‘Oldboy’
Oldboy, directed by Spike Lee, is a neo-noir action thriller that centers on Joe Doucett, who is inexplicably kidnapped and held captive for 20 years. Upon his release, Joe embarks on a mission to uncover the reasons behind his imprisonment and exact revenge. The film features performances by Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, and Sharlto Copley, and reimagines the 2003 South Korean film of the same name.
