OldBoy
Directed by Spike Lee
Written for the screen: Mark Protosevich
Manga: Garon Tsuchiya and Nobuaki Minegishi
Starring Josh Brolin (Joe Doucett), Elizbeth Olsen (Marie Sebastian), Sharlto Copley (The Stranger), Samuel Jackson (Chaney), Michael Imperioli (Chucky), Pom Klementieff (Haeng-Bok), James Ransone (Dr. Tom Melby), Max Casella (James Prestley), Linda Emond (Edwina Burke), Elvis Nolasco (Cortez), Rami Malek (Browning), and Lance Reddick as Daniel Newcombe.
A marketing salesman, who's drinking causes him to lose clients. His destructive ways has an unknown organization watching his every move. Missing his daughter, he buys a toy duck from a street vendor. Suddenly Joe Doucett (Josh Brolin) wakes up in a small room, one bed, a bath, very little space to live and a small TV. Underneath the door there is a sliding compartment which food is pushed in and out, but small enough for no escape. Chinese food the primary choice in this hell hole. breakfast, lunch and dinner, an All inclusive meal just for the man who drinks his life away , and treats others others badly. Or maybe it was his last deal with Daniel Newcombe (Lance Riddick) who he disrespected along with his wife in front of people at the dinner table. An everlasting desire to escape overcomes him in every way; it comes in spurts. Emptiness consumes him, as the same Chinese food continues to slide underneath that door, once again. Out of shape, and a drunk, his only friend is a small white mouse he spotted while drinking his thoughts away. Joe Doucett (Brolin) has thoughts coming and going, which are driving him crazy. Feeling sorry for himself hits his soul, his loneliness only exists as a sharp pointed end of a dagger, waiting to smash into his chest. The feeling of hate overtakes him when smoke fills the small room, before he passes out. his memories are the only hope he has of escaping this prison.
Behind the camera sits a man watching, waiting, trying to understand. Chaney (Samuel L. Jackson) monitors the video behind the scenes. A story about his 8 year old daughter plays on the TV. An attacker raped and killed his wife, his daughter was the lone survivor. The news had claimed him, he is the one who destroyed his life and the family he pushed away because the the alcohol. The reporter had basically named him as the one who? killed his wife, but Joe Doucett (Brolin) knows that he would never harm his family.
The rage, anger strengthens him to move forward. The goal now is to find a way out, but time is not on his side. Things have changed, TV and the way people act and wear cloths are very different. He watches kung fu films, tries to change his self. Quits drinking, writes about his experience in the hell that he is in. Tells her everything that has occurred up to date. twenty years later this man has a very different take on life, his goal is to find the captures, and some how, some way this angry man will be reunited with a daughter he had lost long ago.
Trying not to go into spoilers, i will continue this review somewhat hidden. Great Film, Brolin and all of the cast members are really good. they action is intense, and to the point. Some movies similar to this try to use action as a point of interest, and the story suffers for it. The origanal Oldboy (Oldeuboi) was made in 2003 this film was based on the Japanese Manga "Oldboy" by Nobuaki Minegishi and Garon Tsuchiya. The Director of the 2003 version, Chan-Wook Park's Oldboy is the second in his "Revenge Trilogy". Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) and the third is Lady Vengeance (2005). Not going to compare the two films because they are different in so many ways, either way these two films are good, each director has their own view.
Spike Lee Directed films like Inside Man (2006), Malcom X (1992), 25th hour (2002) to name some films. His perspective drives this version of Oldeuboi outside the limits, originally planned for a 140 min version but the Studio edited it to 105. Lee's version had character build ups and interactions, this is why the film opens with "A Spike Lee Film" instead of "A Spike Lee joint". Had to bring out this information here, it is what makes the film what it is.
The acting is good, special credit to Michael Imperioli who does his job well in the limited role in the film. Elizabeth Olsen as Marie Sebastian does wonders as Brolin's counter part. When given the chance rent this movie because it delivers in every way. Action, a great story and a twist which i will not reveal; your just going to have to see the film. Some reviews will tell you the original is better, and that Spike Lee's version doesn't deliver. I will have to disagree; every director has there own spice to add or take away from the film they are working on; the 2003 version has great moments, but so does this one. It doesn't take away the fact that this story in general is done well in both versions. Josh Brolin is awesome on film, his emotion is deep as his fighting in the action sequences. Min-sik Choi is also very good in the 2003 version, so I give high credit to both actors, and a huge salute to Spike Lee and Chan-Wook Park, great job guys.
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