Movie: New World
Director: Hoon-jung Park
Cast: Min-sik Choi, Jeong-min Hwang, Gwang Jang and Lee Jeong-jae
Rating: ****
In this Korean gangster flick, anyone is not who he seems. Every last character has shades of grey; always trying to be someone else they’re not. Set against the backdrop of a powerful crime syndicate, “New World” is less bloody and more intelligent than several other films in the same genre across several languages.
Having spent eight years infiltrating the crime syndicate and rising through its ranks, Ja-Sung, an undercover cop is now left with an opportunity to choose a side where he can prove his loyalty. But, when the top most boss is killed in a road accident (read murder), he is sucked into the war for choosing the immediate successor.
Meanwhile, Captain Kang, who heads the operation run by Ja-Sung, finds an opportunity to destroy ‘Goldmoon’, Korea’s biggest crime organization from within, of course, only with the help of his loyal disciple. But, it could put Ja-Sung’s own life at stake and that of his family’s too. Does Ja-Sung have it in him to take the risk and put an end to everything he has been part of for eight long years?
“New World” is definitely one of those flicks that prove why Koreans make the best films in the world. Some Korean films are so damn good that they make Hollywood look like Bollywood, and Bollywood merely as a factory that delivers flawed products barring few exceptions throughout the year.
Even with a few predictable clichés, director Hoon-jung Park makes the film nothing less than brilliant. Though there are hardly any action sequences yet there is lot of scope for some edge-of-the-seat moments as the film engages with its shifting plot, especially towards the last half hour. The multiple shifts and turns pave way for some unexpected cat and mouse game within ‘Goldmoon’, and these scenes are top notch.
One of the reasons I adore Korean flicks is for their treatment of action. The glorified violence in cinema is best seen through the eyes of a Korean filmmaker and some of the best examples include films such as “Oldboy”, “The Yellow Sea” and “The Man from Nowhere”. Add “New World” to the list too, as it has a few amazing stunt sequences heightened by crisp cinematography.
The elevator action scene choreographed to perfection involving only large knifes is frightening and entertaining at the same time. Remember how that one fight scene from “Oldboy” went down as one of the best stunt scenes in the history of cinema, likewise, this particular elevator scene too would be remembered for a long time.
Even with a few late-breaking reveals, “New World” works because of the flawless performances by its cast. The thugs are maniacal yet are stylish, walking around in designer suits and driving super expensive cars.
Min-sik Choi (guy from Oldboy) as Chief Kang, a chain smoker with an attitude that could irk anyone in seconds, literally permeates into the skin of his character. He comes across as a mean, irritating officer, but never deviates from his mission.
Jung-chung is the trump card that holds the film together. His allegiance to Goldmoon is overshadowed by his immature demeanor, while Ja-Sung as a rat in the wrong place, turns in a very polished performance.