Oldboy
Director Spike Lee's remake of Park Chan-wook's 2003 South Korean mystery-thriller, itself based on a Japanese manga. Josh Brolin, Elisabeth Olsen and Samuel L. Jackson star.
Follows the story of an advertising exec (Brolin) who is kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement without any indication of his captor's motive. When he is inexplicably released, he embarks on an obsessive mission to discover who orchestrated his bizarre punishment. His quest for revenge leads him into a relationship with a young social worker (Olsen) and ultimately to an elusive man (Sharlto Copley) who allegedly holds the key to his salvation.
- Director:
- Spike Lee ('Inside Man', 'Malcolm X', 'Do the Right Thing', '25th Hour')
- Writer:
- Mark Protosevich
- Cast:
- Josh BrolinElizabeth OlsenSamuel L. JacksonSharlto CopleyLance ReddickMichael Imperioli
Reviews & comments
Schoolboy
Oldboy (2013) SpikeLee movie that was like ‘Cube’ ‘FightClub’ ‘Rock n Rolla’ ‘Bad Boy Bubby' and ’The Experiment’ rolled into one. Amazing film, very art house, and totes hated a few parts, yet the theme seemed simple love (even if wrong). I enjoyed it and very thought provoking. Not for the faint hearted thats for sure. Gore extreme and bad-ass undertones...
Variety
pressRevenge, like octopus, is a dish best served cold, but Spike Lee's disappointingly straight remake is a lukewarm meal at best.
Total Film
pressTo its credit, Spike Lee's remake isn't a slavish imitation. On the other hand, its grit is a grey substitute for the original's vision and verve.
The New York Times
pressIf you have seen the earlier version, you can occupy yourself with point-by-point comparisons. If not, you may find yourself swerving between bafflement and mild astonishment.
The Dissolve
pressJoe walks out of his prison cell with a singular sense of focus; Lee's Oldboy never achieves anything like that kind of clarity.
Hollywood Reporter
pressDark, violent thriller stands on its own despite its revered predecessor.
Variety
pressRevenge, like octopus, is a dish best served cold, but Spike Lee's disappointingly straight remake is a lukewarm meal at best.
Total Film
pressTo its credit, Spike Lee's remake isn't a slavish imitation. On the other hand, its grit is a grey substitute for the original's vision and verve.
The New York Times
pressIf you have seen the earlier version, you can occupy yourself with point-by-point comparisons. If not, you may find yourself swerving between bafflement and mild astonishment.
The Dissolve
pressJoe walks out of his prison cell with a singular sense of focus; Lee's Oldboy never achieves anything like that kind of clarity.
Hollywood Reporter
pressDark, violent thriller stands on its own despite its revered predecessor.
Schoolboy
Oldboy (2013) SpikeLee movie that was like ‘Cube’ ‘FightClub’ ‘Rock n Rolla’ ‘Bad Boy Bubby' and ’The Experiment’ rolled into one. Amazing film, very art house, and totes hated a few parts, yet the theme seemed simple love (even if wrong). I enjoyed it and very thought provoking. Not for the faint hearted thats for sure. Gore extreme and bad-ass...
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