Punição (2021)

Missing this movie will be a Hard Hit xD

There is no lie, that we all have been anticipating this movie ever since the news came out. I have not seen the original movie which this one is based of, entitled "EL DESCONOCIDO" (2015) screenplay by Alberto Marini, directed by Dani de la Torre and produce by Vaca Films and Atresmedia Cine as it's mentioned at the ending credits, but I consider this to be perhaps closer to the original, given that most Asian remakes are done like so. It got me curious to see the original and do a comparison though.

It's a good thriller, it gets you hooked into the action scenes and it also leaves you quite frustrated by the characters, mainly when they do not cooperate well or are so idiotic and oblivious there *cof cof policemen for the most part* that you want to shout at the screen by their lack of thought. The only one in there that seems to be the most intelligent and a quick thinker is Ban, police woman and bomb expert team leader and like always is not taken serious by her peers...

I guess it's part of our very own society and well human nature to defy the odds, this plot comproves it by the actions people do and the consequences of their own reckless decisions.

The main lead learns that in a Hard Hit here, as he finally realizes his wrong doings and what matters in the end, by learning what might happen when all the odds are against you and the karma of your past actions is there to plot your own demise.

Acting here was very good. I have to give credit to Jo Woo Jin and Lee Jae In for their roles as a helpless father and scared daughter, it showed their bond through the movie. Although Ji Chang Wook is not considered a main role here, given he only enters physically towards the second half of the plot, his voice is very present from the beginning so it works for me too. His voice alone has enough presence and charisma to carry on the show. I have always loved his tone, and usually we are used to him being the good guy and having a certain layer in his characters, in here it shows how he can portrait a "criminal" just fine.

Like always there were things that made no sense, or maybe I am being too logical. Despite the whole time is on the line vibe here, there are certain procedures even the police has to take, and in here they simply skip those. I guess it's quite easy to jump into enemy lines, if the culprit can be right under their noses without being detected. Again the only source of intelligent life form is Ban, the explosive team leader, because the others mainly the police chief are impulsive with their decisions...

Despite all that and the fact that the calls have always a pretty good signal even when there are no doors on the car, and there's not much static interferences along the way (I guess Korea really has good connecting services) it's a good movie to watch. Probably the typical cliché of Hollywood with the whole bomb threat feat a Fast and Furious vibe. I could almost pinpoint and say it kind of reminds me of the movie Speed (1994) with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock (a timeless classic) which involves a bus and it also has a time bomb, and by the whole unknown caller it has its far share of movies similar too.

Still, its always about the productions and actors that truly make a difference in each and every movie. And it shows in here. Not bad in terms of background music on the scenes. In a re-watch value, just like the classics I've mentioned it can work out after a while, although there's nothing like the surprise factor of the first time, hearing Wook's voice is definitely worth it ;)

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A very exciting action film. Although it is a remake of the Spanish Retribution, the director and screenwriter Kim Chang Ju still managed to add interesting additions. Each scene has its own charm, Jo Woo Jin in the lead role perfectly depicts a desperate father and husband who will do whatever is necessary for the safety of his family. Ji Chang Wook, a villain whom we first meet on the phone, can completely steal the scene with only his voice. The scene in which the main actors meet for the first time perfectly demonstrates their acting talent. The story is an engaging one with realistic dialogues. Highly recommend, probably one of the best action films from 2021!

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