I’ve seen many
superhero movies, and so have you. But I can bet you haven’t seen any like
this. We often see heroes’ beginnings and the struggles they face in mastering
their powers, but this movie takes that to a whole new level.
Instead of the
typical hero looking for some tights and jumping off buildings to save the day,
why not a hero with no clue? That’s what this South Korean science fiction film
is about—a man who gains powers and has no idea what to do with them.
The movie’s comedic moments and action scenes are nothing compared to its
story. The weight of the tale, with this man tangled up in trying to save his
daughter, is pure poetry. When his ex-wife is killed during a raid on his
daughter’s chicken shop, you’d expect him to step up and be a dad. Instead,
he’s too busy trying to figure out how to monetize his new powers rather than
building a relationship with his daughter.
The plot is so
well-written that it fully exploits the dramatic potential. There are many
touching moments, and there are times you’ll genuinely fear for Ru-mi’s life,
especially since her father comes off as a selfish jerk.
The story
introduces us to Ru-mi, a successful cook so popular that she even lands a TV
segment praising her skills. Her success is a result of her hard work and her
mother’s perseverance to build a life after Ru-mi’s dad walked out on them.
As mentioned earlier, there’s a raid on Ru-mi’s shop because the complex where
her shop is located has been taken over by a wealthy corporation. They’re
trying to force Ru-mi and the other tenants out, but they’re refusing to leave.
During one raid, Ru-mi’s mother is killed while trying to protect her daughter.
Meanwhile, far
away, we see Ru-mi’s dad—a good-for-nothing security guard. He drinks water
from a stream just as a meteoroid hits the earth nearby, contaminating the
water. Through a freak accident, he discovers he has psychokinesis. Shortly
after, he gets a call from his daughter—someone he hasn’t seen or spoken to in
what I’d guess is over a decade. She informs him of her mother’s death. He goes
to be with her and tries to convince her to give up her fight against the
corporation to protect her life.
She refuses, and he decides to stay behind, focusing more on monetizing his
newfound gift than repairing their relationship.
During another
raid, he uses his powers to help his daughter and the other tenants, but the
praise goes to his head. He starts planning ways to fight the corporation
instead of convincing everyone to leave, even though they’re technically there
illegally.
His constant indecision and selfishness drive a wedge between him and his
daughter. The movie also introduces other eccentric characters, making it an
all-around entertaining ride. The plot keeps you torn between sides—are you
rooting for the illegal tenants protesting the sale of their complex, or the
corporation trying to take over the property with little regard for anyone’s
safety?
How this amazing
Korean movie ends is something you’ll have to see for yourself. I can bet you
won’t predict the surprise ahead when you watch it.
It’s cool,
touching, and all-around entertaining. I’d give it a six out of ten.
0 comments:
Post a Comment