Oldboy
November 2013
2
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3.7
842 total
5 315
4 231
3 137
2 76
1 83
Wesley Morris
Everything is wrong with [Spike] Lee's version of Park Chan-wook's notorious, super-violent super-action-thriller. For one thing, it's far from super. Not the quality, per se (although, for Lee, that's off, too), but the energy.
Joe Morgenstern
Why would we want to watch a chronicle of Joe's agonies, and the agonies he gets to inflict on others? Passing it up would be the best revenge.
Richard Brody
Hollywood's wildest cinematic freakout since "Shutter Island" is a remake of-and an improvement on-the Korean original, from 2003.
Richard Corliss
A vivid yet academic remake, this Oldboy is shorter, leaner and lesser.
James Berardinelli
Sometimes I don't understand the Hollywood mindset. Who thought remaking Park Chan-wook's 2003 cult classic, Oldboy, was a good idea?
Much of the dialogue is stilted (several scene are laughable) and the melodrama feels unmoored without the lurid, baroque atmosphere of Park's film -- which, after all, was kind of the whole point.
Critic reviews
Wesley Morris
Everything is wrong with [Spike] Lee's version of Park Chan-wook's notorious, super-violent super-action-thriller. For one thing, it's far from super. Not the quality, per se (although, for Lee, that's off, too), but the energy.
Joe Morgenstern
Why would we want to watch a chronicle of Joe's agonies, and the agonies he gets to inflict on others? Passing it up would be the best revenge.
Richard Brody
Hollywood's wildest cinematic freakout since "Shutter Island" is a remake of-and an improvement on-the Korean original, from 2003.
James Berardinelli
Sometimes I don't understand the Hollywood mindset. Who thought remaking Park Chan-wook's 2003 cult classic, Oldboy, was a good idea?
Much of the dialogue is stilted (several scene are laughable) and the melodrama feels unmoored without the lurid, baroque atmosphere of Park's film -- which, after all, was kind of the whole point.
Dana Stevens
Viewers who are coming to it cold will, most likely, leave feeling enervated, confused, and queasy.
User reviews

Strange Movie But Good I've never heard of the original movie that this flim was based on but i found parts of this movie to be good and some of it like what the hell. J. Brolin does a good job at acting in this but not on the level of "No Country For Old Men". I loved that his weapon of choice was a hammer and there are some excellent fight scenes where he takes down a couple dozen guys with just his hands and hammer. The story it's self is good for the most part and I think they could've done alittle more but overall I'm giving it 4 stars since I like strange thrillers with crazy fight scenes.

Actions of today, follow us forever. A well put together plot of revenge from the mind of a psychopath determined to play it out to the end. Brolin delivers a great portrayal of narcissistic alcoholic as well as a changed righteous man who will stop at nothing to win back a small piece of his shattered life and to redeem himself. Plan for the unexpected with Old Boy. Graphic and deep, sick and twisted... it makes sense as you are drawn in to seek the climax of the story. Shocking it will be to the very end.

Inferior in every conceivable way This movie will remind you of the original Korean cult classic only insofar as you are disappointed by the poor pacing, the ridiculousness of the villain - one who comes across as solely weird, not terrifying, the lack of any real psychological intrigue, and the utterly outmatched actors. I'm a fan of Josh Brolin, but if you're hoping for an electrifying repeat of his performance in No Country For Old Men, keep hoping. Spike Lee, this was atrocious.

Disturbing This movie is based on an older movie, but has a greatly disturbing plot twist. This movie truly detonated my mind, and left me crawling, begging for freedom. Freedom from the vulgar thoughts this movie gives. I give this movie a five out of five, for simply making me walk away crying, and questioning the main character for not committing suicide.

WATCH THE ORIGINAL! This is a horrible, unnecessary remake of a film that was already perfect. Stop saying its "brilliant", Spike didn't come up with this, he butchered the original movie. I know a remake has to have differences, but this is awful! Those of you who think this version is good, go watch the Korean version...without complaining about subtitles.

Good but not great like the original Great story almost a copy of the original and the fights were choreographed well but the violence seemed contrived. Trying very hard to get that international fast paced action& bloody gore but not quite making it. I wish Sam Jackson was the main villain. That would've made it worth while!

Terrible remake, don't waste your money on this, watch the original This remake was the equivalent of Turkish Rambo from the 80s. The original was a psychological thriller that was underpinned with a sense of plausibility that drew you into the film. The violence in the Korean film was used to camouflage the psychological revenge, which was much more painful than the beatings Oh Dae-su received. Spike Lee tried to use violence to cover his lack ability in this genre of film. The hammer fight scene in the original was realistic because of the restriction on firearms in Korea, not just used for gratuitous gore. Not saying that machine guns everywhere are realistic, but a sophisticated criminal organization fighting with boards and knives is pretty far out there. I have three guns in my house and they can't find one? And why were the bad guys dressed like they just came from the set of The Warriors? I never once felt as if this could really have happened, which is what made the original great. Spike Lee should beg Park Chan Wook for forgiveness and Josh Brolin could use acting lessons from Choi Min Sik.

Ummm gross This movie was not good, and quite frankly gross as in SPOILER ALERT! The payoff for watching the whole movie is that the protagonist is tricked into having sex with his own daughter as a payback from the antagonist. So many other ways to make this movie good - but that does stick with the original foreign film of which this is a remake.
Cast and credits
Additional information
Rotten tomatoes® score
Audio language
Subtitles
English
Info cards
Run time
103 minutes
Rating
R
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