The sequel to the classic movie “Friend” from back 2001 took 12 years to come. I think it worked for the best, because the director was conscious about the things he wanted to say and how to portray them.
What is this about:
Directed and written by Kwak Kyung Taek. Star Yu Oh Seong, Kim Woo Bin, Joo Jin Mo.
17 years after the end of the previous movie, Lee Joon Suk (Yu Oh Seong) is released from the prison and he faces a different world from what he remembered. In prison he meets Choi Sung Hoon (Kim Woo Bin), son of one his high school friends and they form a father-son bond. Together they will try to change the status quo in the current leadership of the gang.
My review:
I think the best equivalent to this sequel is Godfather II. Like Coppola, Kwak Kyung-taek changed the focus from the four teenage friends of the first movie and their coming of age tale to Lee Joon Suk’s tale of regret and redemption. With the introduction of Choi Sung Hoon, he created parallels between different generations of gangsters.
Lee Joon Suk (Yu Oh Seong) is a born leader. He comes out of prison, sees that he is replaced by Eun Gi and starts to plan how to take back the leadership. But at the same time he is filled with guilt and regret about the last movie’s events and wants somehow to redeem himself. This is where Sung Hoon (Kim Woo Bin) enters, reminding him of himself and his bestfriends. Yu Oh Seong is a wonderful actor and, like a good wine, he became even better with time. He managed to express so much emotion and complexity with his eyes, face expressions and body language, without overacting. Kudos.
Choi Sung Hoon (Kim Woo Bin) is a rebellious and troublemaker young man. He has his reasons for his violence, namely a lack of proper father figure. In Joon Suk he finds the closest to a father and he formed a heartwarming relationship (kinda) with him. As much as I like Kim Woo Bin, he posed more often than he acted in this movie. Honestly, I expected more intensity from him.
Friends 2 is Kwak Kyung Taek’s work as much as the first one was. Yes, it is more polished, better camera work, higher quality image. But it still has its director’s unique style of storytelling and world building. What I found interesting was the parallel between Joon Suk and Sung Hoon. The first represents the old school gangster, who builds families and loyalty means more to him than money, while the second is newer generation that thinks everything can be bought with money. Different views, different eras. What stayed the same is how gangster life is presented. Many times we see on the silver and small screen gangsters being glorified and shown as really cool guys. Here, they are tragic figures that cannot break free from the circle of violence.
Why you should watch:
- One of the best gangster movies.
- The unique directing of Kwak Kyung Taek.
- Very good performances from most of the actors – Yu Oh Seong is excellent as Lee Joon Suk.
- Well choreographed fight scenes.
- Those who liked Godfather II might enjoy it.
Why not to watch:
- If you don’t like gangster movies.
- The direction is not for everyone.
- It has a lot of violence and mention of sex and drugs.
Final verdict:
8/10. A thoughtful sequel to the classic that doesn’t recycle the success of the previous, but delivers its own theme. Yu Oh Seong carries the movie on his shoulders masterfully and deserves your time watching this movie.
A gritty movie with the always amazing So Ji Sub? Yes, this movie is as good as it sounds.
What is this about:
Directed by Im Sang Yoon. Written by Im Sang Yoon. Star So Ji Sub, Lee Mi Yeon, Kwak Do Won, Kim Dong Jun.
Hyeong Do (So Ji Sub) is an employer for a metal fabrication company, that is a hit man. He is regarded as one of the best and will be promoted, until he meet a single mother (Lee Mi Yeon) and starts to question many things about his life.
My review:
I love So Ji Sub. I first encountered him in the movie “Always” (I think I will rewatch this for the millionth time) and then in the drama “Master’s sun” (I want to rewatch this too), and it took me some time to realize it was the same actor. He really transforms into his role, and this movie is no exception.
Hyeong Do (So Ji Sub) sees like a typical employer of a big company, wearing impeccable suits and coming to his work every day. But he works as a hitman and “clears out” the competition. There is not much information about his character. We don’t learn about his past, his family, if he has anyone he cares about. The dialogs between him and the other characters don’t give much. But So Ji Sub did an amazing job crafting this character. He looks timid, not very social, he doesn’t talk much, like a sympathetic, even sensitive, guy who has a little difficulty expressing himself. But in reality he is like a time bomb, takes everything in, and eventually he will blow up.
There are many other characters that play important role, but if I were to talk about them, I would probably give a few plot twists. Let’s just say that most of them have a more important role than what they appear to be at first. That’s what is so nice about the movie.
The direction is sleek and meticulous. The fight scenes are very well choreographed, showing the brutality of this profession without getting too graphic. The non-fight scenes are accompanied with well chosen music score that gives an extra rhythm and the feeling that something more is coming – which it does. One thing that confused me was the transition between present and past. Up until a point in the movie I was really confused if the scene I was watching was happening now or it was a flashback and I had to wait for the next scene to understand what was going on. But that is a good thing, too. The director expects your attention and tells his story accordingly. Also, there is a little black humor here and there. Like stepping out bloodied and hit, but still correcting his tie.
Why you should watch:
- So Ji Sub in a gritty thriller.
- Excellent directing with sleek use of the camera.
- Nicely choreographed fight scenes.
- Clever scenario that wants your attention.
- Very good performances from all the actors and actresses.
Why not to watch:
- If action thrillers are not your style.
- There is a lot of violence.
- The transition between present and past might confuse you.
Final verdict:
9/10. A gritty action thriller with excellent performances and directing and many plot twists. Highly recommended.
“Must date the playboy” is an adaptation from a wattpad story (you can find more about wattpad in Wikipedia) and it was relished as four web episodes and later as a movie. This is the third collaboration of Kim Chiu and Xian Lim that I watch and their chemistry is still strong.
What is this about:
Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar. Star Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Jessy Mendiola
Tori (Kim Qiu) is an everyday girl that works as personal assistant for her best friend, Chloe (Jessy Mendiola), and wishes to open her own cupcake shop. Chloe is dating the notorious playboy Zack (Xian Lim) and breaks up with him when she sees him dancing with another girl. When she returns to Philippines back from the U.S. with her new boyfriend, she persuades Tori to date Zack, so he cannot become a problem to her relationship.
My review:
This was fun. It is a very cliché story, but it never took itself too seriously and it was unapologetically funny. Compared to their other movie collaborations, like Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo and Bride for rent, this is not as good, but it is good enough to spend your two hours.
Tori (Kim Chiu) is the sweetest. Kim Chiu brings her usual cuteness and mannerisms making the character very charming and endearing. She makes to-do-lists for everything, even to find her prince charming. She is a bit pushover when it comes to her best friend Chloe, and cannot say no to her. Her efforts to date Zach are really funny.
Chloe (Jessy Mendiola) is the master mind behind this plan. She is a spoiled princess and used to get everything the way she wants them. Towards the end she came close to the dark side but she redeems herself, cause in reality she is a good person, just spoiled.
Zach (Xian Lim) is a certified playboy. When Tori approaches him, as per Chloe orders, he agrees so he can be close to Chloe. The player becomes the played and vice versa. He too has issues with his father – is this some kind of trend in pinoy movies? Xian Lim, I have to admit, is not one of the most talented actors out there. But when his character falls in love, you can tell from miles away, I have to give him that.
Last but not least, Nathan is the third bestie of Tori and Chloe, and most of the time he acts as the third perspective in this mess. He sees things more clearly and is hilarious in his reactions.
The production values are not as good as their previous movies, perhaps because this is was aimed as a mini web series. Also, the writing is simple full of clichés and the characterization of the characters is paper-thin, while the direction is standard. But it is a charming little funny movie, thanks to the three leads.
Why you should watch:
- If you like romantic comedies.
- The chemistry is enjoyable, as always.
- Nice youthful background music.
- If you want two relaxing hours.
Why not to watch:
- If you don’t like romantic comedies.
- The writing and directing are very simple.
- Can see what is going to happen from miles away.
Final verdict:
6/10. Nice funny movie if you want to spend two relaxing hours and nothing more.
The sequel to the classic movie “Friend” from back 2001 took 12 years to come. I think it worked for the best, because the director was conscious about the things he wanted to say and how to portray them. 
