The Chaser [DVD]

Unique, twisted storyline. Great direction. Add it to the list of great South Korean movies.

Comparing this to Taken, as reviews have, is unfair and will only disappoint, I challenge these comparisons. For me it was more a resemblance of modern BBC TV Detective dramas. The Chaser (a 2010 remake) is slick, deep and packing intelligence, emotion and multi-level story into what is an ex cop enters a serial killers world.It is shot well, with great South Korean filmography in feel and character. It is deep, engaging, entertaining and well cultured.The plot involves an ex policeman turned prostitute guardian (pimp). One of his girls goes missing, captured by a twisted customer, who has scared girls before, who turns out to be a serial killer. As the police detain the killer there is a race to find the imprisoned last victim, as she is till alive in an unknown house. More of the killer's character is unravelled, whilst ex-cop Jung-ho has to look after the victim's young daughter, helping to save her mother before it is too late. All of this is shot well in a gritty, but greatly real, Mangwan in Seol at night amongst the streets, back allies and shady homes near the mountains.If you are into World Cinema and these style of cat and mouse detective dramas, then this film will please fans. I do feel sorry that it suffers from top-billing and raving reviews as a cult gem, when it was for me slick and well produced, rather than being anything special, unique or extra-ordinary. The film is slow, long (2 hours) and thus an asking watch, but a debatably worthwhile one none the less.

'The Chaser' is a multi-layered film of remorse, regret, revenge and helplessness.It's rare that any director achieves such a complex character in any film, but the male lead (Jung) played by Kim Yoon-Seok is an incredibly deep individual, who had me loathing him one minute and empathising with him the next throughout.Indeed Kim Yoon-Seok achieved 7 seperate awards for his stunning portrayal of this 'ex-detective turned pimp' in Korea during 2008.Very cleverly, the audience is 'in the loop' early on and the proceeding race against the clock centres around 'Jung' trying to piece events together as we, the viewer, look on helplessly.Many reviews go into the storyline in far more detail, so I'll miss that out. All I'd say is that this is a tough, tense yet highly touching piece of cinema. Brutal in parts, gut-wrenchingly sad in others; 'The Chaser' has everything.I would settle on 4 stars, but for me, Yoon-Seok's stunning acting demands and deserves a top-notch rating.Exceptional.

Johnathan Ross highly recommend this film on his weekly BBC show and I agree, although you'll need a strong stomach. Not for the sqimish

Love Foreign Movies ??? you can’t afford to miss out on this. First of all it’s Korean & you guessed it which carries in vision English Subtitles which are very clear good sized easy to follow movie. It’s Korean themed Crime Thriller which is totally excellent well made. No Doubt Hollywood will have there hands on it at some point to remake it !!!A Thriller that will keep you on edge of your seat. I loved watching this & you will too 👍

A dark tale of serial murders and one man’s quest to catch the killer in spite of many obstructions set in his way. A very watchable film with some stomach churning scenes that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the bitter end. It is a very bitter end. Korean “Noir” finely acted and filmed. Highly recommended if you are a fan of dark and twisted thrillers.

This film has an interesting central concept.An ex cop turned pimp investigates the disappearences of his prostitutes to a serial killer.As the film developes our central character regains some of his humanity and begins to care about his prostitutes.Though how he went from cop to pimp is never explained and would have added extra emotional impact.There are some nice on foot chases in this film,realistically done and not too over the top.It can be a bit tonally uneven,as some of these asian movies can be.But in the end it mostly delivers on its premise.This is still more original than most of hollywoods output.

I wasn't really sure what to expect but this film is far from disappointing. Action scenes are brutal and some are gruesome and others are gripping. This film is very well made and full of surprises. If you like the thriller/horror genre watch this film. One negative is the fact that the suspected and confessed serial killer gets kept in an office instead of a cell. This kind of makes the film unbelievable but doesn't completely ruin it. I am a bit confused as to why the directors and producers did this to an otherwise flawless film.

Ce film est sublime. Je ne l'avais pas vu à l'époque où il est sorti. Les films asiatiques sont tellement bien, super bien qu'on a pas l'impression que ce film a plus de 10 ans. Impressionnant de justesse. Je me lance depuisun bon moment dans les films asiatique pour leurs performences. Leurs histires tellement différentes d'autres cinéma. Le top du top. Je vais revoir ce film plus d'une fois. D'un réalisme époustoufflant. Plus que des acteurs. Le plus petit rôle vaut de l'or tellement il y a implication alors que dire des personnages principaux. Héla, je vois que beaucoup de films asiatiques n'ont pas de langue françaises. Déception. Bon! j'en trouve toujours. Merci. A voir et revoir

Otro excelente thriller coreano. Como siempre ocurre con este cine, es violento, pero se supera al estar dirigida con pulso firme. Tiene unos años, pero no ha envejecido.

Der Film sehr gut gemacht und spannend vom Anfang bis zum Ende. Die Idee ist sehr originell, dass ein Zuhälter und ehemaliger Polizist einen Serienkiller jagt weil eines seiner Mädchen dem Wahnsinnigen in die Hände gefallen ist.

The Chaser is a different kind of investigation movie. You are told who the killer is fairly early in the movie, and the plot is about whether they can find proof to prosecute the killer or not. Just before the killer is arrested in the beginning, he has kidnapped another girl, and the main character tries to find out where she is throughout the movie.The main character is a former detective who has turned pimp, and the killer has presumably kidnapped and/or killed all his girls, making it very personal.There isn't much high-octane action in the movie, as this is mostly a thriller and not an action movie. The story is quite interesting, following mainly the pimp and the murderer seperatly. The story happens mostly at night and has a rather dark atmosphere, but it also has several comical moments that will make you laugh. The scenes are also fairly realistic. For example in foot chases the characters will get tired and sweaty really fast and when the chases are over they will typically gasp for breath and sometimes trip. I think this is very cool to see considering that in Hollywood movies characters can run full speed for 10 miles without sweating.Overall, I think this was a very good movie! Great atmosphere, good story, realistic and funny.

Un film excellent à voir et à revoir !