This period adventure is breathtaking in action and scope, set during and around the Japanese occupation of Korea, spanning the early 1930s to the mid-1940s.
Crack sniper, Corporal An Ok-yan (Jun Ji-hyun), leads a team of resistance fighters to assassinate a Japanese Army commander during his visit to Korea but things go horribly wrong when a traitor in their midsts unveils their plans and a new assassin is sent to take out Ok-yan.
Writer/director Choi Dong-hoon, along with co-writer Lee Ki-cheol, moves the action along at a cracking pace, with enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat almost two-and-a-half hours. The period setting is stunning, with elorate sets, magestic vistas and detailed costuming by Jo Sang-gyeong and Son Na-ri.
As the complex plot weaves it’s way to a surprising yet satisfying conclusion, it can be difficult, at times, to keep up with the cast of characters when having to read subtitles, but any temporary confusion between some characters soon disappears as the action evolves further.
It’s good to see such a strong female lead. Ji-hyun, who plays a double role, is a force to be reckoned with as sniper Ok-yan, while still managing to portray the softer, human side of the character’s nature. As Ok-yan’s twin, she is petite and precious.
Featuring plenty of gunfights, chases and double-crossing intrigue, Assassination leaves one wondering who will be assassinated in the end, with the extraordinary body count adding to the potential that no one may survive! The bonus comedic dialogue and interactions that crop up in the most unexpected of places keeps Assassination highly entertaining and riveting.
Another excellent celebration of Korean film for this year’s festival.
All films in the Korean Film Festival screen with English subtitles.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating out of 10: 9
Assassination will screen on 17 September 2016 only as part of the Korean Film Festival in Australia (KoFFIA), which runs from 15 – 18 September 2016 exclusively at the Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
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