The Berlin File (2013) User Reviews

Excellent South Korean action flick

[Red-Barracuda · 8/10 · 26 June 2013]

The Berlin File is a combination of the serious and glamorised spy film strands. While on the one hand, its plot deals with contemporary issues and politics in a serious way, it also has several explosive action scenes. It's a terrific combination to be perfectly honest, both strands blend seamlessly into one and other. The plot-line is in fact pretty complex and convoluted so it is necessary to pay attention. In very brief summary it's about a botched arms deal that leads to civil strife between North Korean secret agents and ends up involving the South Koreans, the CIA, Mossad and the Arabs. That is of course a ludicrously simplified plot summary but there are too many twists and turns in this one to adequately describe without recourse to too much synopsis.

The characters are well drawn, particularly the two North Korean agents and their South Korean equivalent. They are convincing and strong anchors to base this story on. In fact seeing as this is a South Korean film it's nice to note that the hero of the piece is a North Korean agent. This adds an unusual subversion of expectations. The location for the film too has been specifically chosen. Berlin is the one European city that historically most clearly mirrors Korea. It was divided East and West like Korea is North and South, with one half capitalist the other communist. The old East Germany was very similar to North Korea. But irrespective of the politics, it's just a good idea in general to use a modern European city as the setting for an Asian action flick. It gives the whole thing a more original feel. Seeing the German location used as the battleground for intense Korean action sequences works really well. Those scenes are well worth waiting for. They are a combination of martial arts, gun fights and chases. They are all extremely well controlled and exciting.

The Berlin File is an excellent action flick with a lot in it that makes it feel fresh and vibrant. Definitely recommended.

Case Files

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 22 July 2013]

I'm always surprised that other people are surprised that South Korea is capable of delivering good action movies. The action scenes/stunts from this movie alone put some American movies to shame! There is almost an insanity to some of them, but it comes across as really well executed (no pun intended).

Having said that, what I also like about movies from Korea, is their ability to make you invest into characters, while simultaneously keeping them mysterious or at least in grey areas as well. What is good and who is bad, could be a question, but what would be the answer? If you'd be able to answer that of course. Not all movies work with that formula, but this particular one does. You might have to wrap your head around this, so it might take a few minutes to get who is who and doing what, but once you are there (without the movie patronizing you), you will be able to really enjoy this

Actually a really good Korean action flick

[KineticSeoul · 7/10 · 10 May 2013]

I was actually quite impressed by this film, probably since it caught me off guard. Because Korea comes out with some good and even great films but just not so much when it comes to action movies. Maybe just few. This is actually a really good action popcorn flick that is entertaining and enthralling most of the way through. It felt like it blends elements from the "Bourne" films but has enough of it's own elements to be it's own film. The actors in this is just fantastic with their roles. Ha Jung-Woo has really worked himself up to becomes one of the top stars of Korea. He may not be the best looking lead actor in movies but that is why his characters are more believable, plus he is a good actor and charismatic as well. Ryoo Seung-Bum is the show stealer in this film and just about every scene he is in is chilling and also entertaining to watch. Han Suk-Kyu is basically Han Suk-Kyu in just about every movie he is in. But he usually fits the role and he fits right in with this one as well. Gianna Jun is also in this but her role could have been played by almost anyone. This film is probably even good enough to go toe to toe with some Hollywood action movies. Even the fight sequences are second to none because it has that "Bourne" movie vibe going for it but it's not all choppy and crap. Even if few action parts doesn't make much sense. You can actually see everything that is going on. Overall if you like Korean films and also action movies than check this one out. If not, just check it out anyways.

7.8/10

Fast-paced Action, Thriller, and Drama

[snicksnape · 22 February 2013]

This spy movie had me on the edge of my seat many times. This is a good fast-paced action, thriller, and drama with subtitles. The fight scenes were excellent, the stunt driving was top-notch; there was so much that was great about this movie. What I found so refreshing in this Korean movie, was the lack of blood and gore that Hollywood uses by the truckload. The subtitles sometimes moved too fast though.

Ten lines of text about a movie is too much to say about a movie especially since one will give spoilers away. I choose not say what is in the movie but to say it was good. If one knows ahead of time what one will see then it will no longer be a surprise. That is wrong with all of the movie trailers because they give the movie away before we even pay to see it.

Stick with it

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 29 November 2013]

THE BERLIN FILE starts off fairly badly purely because it's so convoluted. It's a German-set spy thriller featuring about half a dozen different factions all involved in a conspiracy plot. For the first hour you'll be scratching your head, trying to work out who's who, who the protagonist is meant to be, and just exactly what's going on. It's well made, certainly, with style to spare, but I admit that confusing plotting leaves me, well, confused.

My advice? Stick with it. Because at around the hour mark, things suddenly become VERY clear. Crystal clear, in fact. Suddenly, the narrative simplifies down and it all becomes very straightforward; THE BERLIN FILE is a Bourne-style action movie that outplays Hollywood at its own game. The action scenes are extremely intense and realistic, and very well handled by cast and crew. This is exciting, frenetic film-making at its best.

Ha Jung-woo (THE YELLOW SEA) makes a fine job of playing the sympathetic North Korean spy who finds himself mixed up in events beyond his control, and Han Suk-kyu makes for a delightfully weaselly villain. But the real winner is director Ryoo Seung-wan, who in the last hour of his movie has made one of the best action films of the year. I can't wait to rewatch it!

Feels Like A Hollywood Movie With South Korean Flare

[TheFilmGuy1 · 7/10 · 17 December 2014]

What do you get when you mix the Bourne movies with a North/South Korean spy story? This film.

A North Korean spy in Berlin finds himself in a whole world of trouble, involving betrayal and lots of action. The complicated story is something that makes sense for a political based spy thriller, but can get pretty convoluted at times. I would say that I know more about North/South Korean relations than there average person, and i'm no expert, but I still found myself lost at times. Lot's of different characters interact and double cross and it can be hard figuring out who wants what and who did what. But I think at the end of the film I kind of got the main idea. I can certainly see this being a problem with some audiences.

The action is this is pretty great. The fights and shootouts are tightly shot and well directed, making it feel like a Hollywood film, in a good way. Nothing feels cheap or cheesy. It's gritty and hard hitting, just how I like my action.

I guess at the end of the day, there was just something missing for me. I can't quite pinpoint it, which is useless in terms of me giving a clear opinion in this review, but I can't help it. I enjoyed it, but I don't know if it's under rated and recommendable in the way that a film like The Man From Nowhere is. Perhaps the confusing plot just kind of took me out and had me less connected, leading to the big twists being less hard hitting. Either way, I would say watch this if you're up for the challenge or figuring out a highly political and twisting plot. It's entertaining and well made, which is great to see. It also sets itself up for a sequel, which would be interesting to see. Another example of good Korean film making.

Enjoyable action film

[karluk99 · 7/10 · 17 September 2013]

After an arms smuggling deal goes bad, North Korean agent Pyo Jong Sung finds himself and his wife, translator Ryeon Jung-hee under a cloud of suspicion and tries to uncover the real culprit. North and South Korean, Russian, U.S., Israeli, and Arab agents are everywhere, to the point where it seems it's only slightly more likely to see a German citizen on the streets of Berlin than if the action took place in Seoul.

Once all of these players are introduced, the movie does a good job of sorting them all out, as Jong Sung investigates who is responsible. There are a number of very effective action sequences throughout the film to keep things moving.

The relationship between Jong Sung and Jung-hee is central to to plot. For an action movie, the characters are very well presented. But fans expecting a repeat of Jun Ji Hyun's delightfully over-the-top performance in The Thieves will be disappointed. Her role as Jung- hee in The Berlin File rarely goes beyond that of a typical damsel in distress.

The movie is exceptionally well filmed to reflect a tense, somber mood. There were some shots that looked almost as if they were filmed in black and white to harmonize with the prevailing tone.

The end of the movie strongly foreshadows that a sequel is in the works. Of course that typically depends on how well the movie performs at the box office. By all reports The Berlin File easily did well enough to justify a sequel. I'll be looking forward it.

Nothing more than a good average international conspiracy action-thriller

[kluseba · 7/10 · 28 March 2014]

"The Berlin File" is a South Korean version of action-thrillers with conspiracy and spy elements and twists in the key of "The Bourne Identity". The entire movie takes place in the German capital Berlin which gives the whole thing a more international flair even though some parts were clearly filmed in Latvia's capital Riga which feels a little bit goofy.

The strongest points of the movie are the action scenes and in particular the brutal hand to hand combats. The special effects are also decent. The fast paced fighting sequences, the intriguing locations and the overall rather dark atmosphere of the movie quickly get you hooked.

The acting is of an average quality. While the actors are good, the characters lack depth due to an average script quality. My favourite character is the evil North Korean agent because he really incarnates an unpredictable psycho that has a unique way to act and talk. The two main characters including a loyal North Korean agent and a rather straight South Korean agent are rather faceless on the other side.

The weakest part of the movie is the conspiracy plot. The first thirty minutes of the film are pretty much confusing and introduce us to too many random different characters and stereotypical organizations: snobbish CIA agents, corrupt German politicians, brutal and closed- minded Islamist terrorists, intimidating Mossad agents, emotionless, loyal and silent on one side and loyal and pitiless North Korean agents on the other, bitter anti-communist agents from South Korea, Russian arms dealers and so on. The high amount of characters hides the fact that there isn't all too much going on concerning the story itself. The first half of the movie seems really promising but especially the last forty-five minutes are rather weak and mix overlong chasing and shooting scenes with wooden tearjerker moments.

In the last five minutes, the movie pulls out a twist like a rabbit out of a hat. Usually, I like twisted endings and especially the South Korean cinema has come around with some promising closures in the past. This one here feels pretty much constructed though and only seems to be there to give some room for a possible sequel. I hope South Korea won't go this stretched Hollywood way.

In the end, I expected a much more original and twisted conspiracy thriller from a country that has come around with the world's most innovating movies in the past fifteen years. "The Berlin File" is though only a good average to good action-thriller that can't mess with the status of the James Bond or Jason Bourne series. The clash between North and South Korean agents has been portrayed in more detailed and convincing ways in movies such as "Shiri", "Joint Security Area" and "Typhoon" for example. These three films are all above the quality of this one. I would still recommend this movie to faithful fans of international action-thrillers but this film had the potential to be much more than just easy entertainment. My final rating would be situated somewhere between six and seven points.

A Korean Skyfall - Simply Awesome

[mohammad-yousaf · 10/10 · 7 August 2013]

This is one of the best movie I have seen in recent years and I don't think it is less than Skyfall..... specially the cinematography is awesome and special effects are so amazing that we see rarely and only in big production house movies.

The main characters are smart and beautiful.. and Director didn't forget to put an emotional touch of unspoken love in the movie.... the background music is impressive and go along with situations and action sequences and at several points it charge you specially towards the ending.

Movie will keep you entertained and busy.. with duration of around 2 hours, you won't feel losing interest at any point.

Above all, the Director Mr. Seung-wan Ryoo really knew the art of making a true entertainer.

I have become a true fan of characters and of course South Korean Cinema too!

Thank le Carre! It was more Shiri than IRIS.

[mglee1111 · 7/10 · 15 May 2013]

Being away from Korea at the moment, I only caught this film a few days ago. I'm quite a fan of 'serious' spy films like The Ipcress File or the more recent adaptation of Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy, so I decided to give this rather sombre-looking film a watch. For me, personally, there was almost nothing to dislike before I started watching; having seen Shiri, the first Korean spy-action film, as a kid, I was very excited about Han Seok-kyu returning to a more gritty role of an experienced Cold Warrior intelligence officer. Han mainly plays the role to be reminiscent of his previous appearance in Eye for an Eye (눈 에는 눈, 이 에는 이), wherein he portrays a veteran somewhat disillusioned with the ideals and organisation he fights for, but still employing his keen sense against his opponents. While not as off-the-rails as his character Baek Seong-chan in Eye for an Eye, Han's new-found propensity to add a little frenzy to the emotional mix added suspense to the unfolding plot.

At the very basics, The Berlin File revolves around a botched arms deal between rogue state and non-state actors, whose ripple effects bring in the wider circle of the international intelligence community. Amidst the intrigue is the more personal relationships between the spies themselves, whether between those on the same side, or beyond ideological borders. To be honest, I found the overall story to be entertaining, but as others point out, somewhat convoluted for the fairly frenetic pace of the action and movements. It was quite clear that the film-makers were going for a kind of John le Carre flavour to the distinctly Korean mix of action and drama, even going so far as to actually use a copy of his novel The Spy Who Came in from the Cold as a prop in a scene (a German copy, which was a nice touch). Ha Jeong-woo and Ryu Seung-beom were ideal as North Korean fixers, the former having previously played a stoic action-based North Korean in the brutal 2010 film The Yellow Sea. Their tale of corrupted brotherhood might even have been an allegory of generational changes in the DPRK, just as Han Seok- kyu's conflicts with his own organisation might just symbolise such tumult in South Korea.

Something that I did find rather disappointing was the limited role that Jeon Ji-hyeon, a decent actress in her own right, played in the story. I admit, I haven'이 seen most of her films, but in those that I am familiar with, she is known for her own brand of strong, spunky femininity, which allowed her to play the lead across a variety of genres. I wasn'이 so keen that in The Berlin File, she was reduced to a glorified damsel-in- distress, meekly awaiting her man to rescue her. Not that I was expecting her to bust out the wire-action as in her previous film The Thieves, which dazzled with glamour and wit as opposed to this deliberately dour and heavy-set piece, but I did want her to be given more initiative in how her character was presented. Nonetheless, Jeon Ji-hyeon does well to fulfil the position of an understated heroine.

Furthermore, while trying to avoid spoilers as much as possible, I can'이 say I cared much for the blunt and unrelenting use of action scenes toward the end, albeit only for a sequence of, say, 10 minutes or so. If John le Carre and other 'hard' spy fiction wants to tell us anything, it's that the real world of espionage is far-flung from the glitzy fantasy landscape of James Bond, and even the action-fuelled chaos of the Bourne series. The real world of intelligence, apparently, is more painstaking paperwork and dead drops, than shoot-outs and gadgets. The first half of The Berlin File pays faithful homage to the slow and uneasy atmosphere of Western works with similar premise, while ratcheting up the action factor towards the end, probably, to appeal to a wider audience. Don'이 get me wrong, it's reasonably well done and much less gratuitous than otherwise might have been (looking at you, IRIS). My only gripe, as perhaps befitting a le Carre fan, is that it wasn'이 as tedious as it should have been!

All in all, I think that a film is a decent one when the worst that can be said about it is that it's a "step forward for the Korean film industry", while the best praise for it puts it up there along with the global standard. And globally appealing it is too, partly due to the script supervision of an American film-maker that made the English and German dialogue less inept than Korean films in the past have allowed. I certainly hope to see The Berlin File gather at least some recognition outside of Korea, and maybe even to see more of its kind in the future.

Over-complicated but still enjoyable action thriller.

[paulclaassen · 5/10 · 4 June 2018]

I must admit I'm not a big crime movie fan, but I really did enjoy this, despite the fact that it did get over-complicated at one stage. A spy agency suspects a mole within their Korean embassy in Berlin. Agent Pyo Jong-sung (Jung-woo Ha) gets even more suspicious when his wife's name (who also works for the agency) is mentioned in a video confession and suspected of leaking information. He then starts watching and following her. It gets incredibly interesting from here as they realize both of them were double-crossed and set-up, and must run for their lives. The fight scenes are incredible and the action sequences awesome! One particular scene with his wife on a ledge outside a building, and Pyo and a baddie stumbling through an apartment window was insanely well done as they plummet to the ground!

Being Korean, the film doesn't quite have the ending you'd expect, but the ending was truly spectacular. Oh, and I loved the music, as well.

One of the GREATEST spy thrillers EVER made!!!

[hjdoyle · 10/10 · 23 April 2014]

I don't even know where to begin to describe how awesome this movie is! Korean cinema IMO is the best out there when it comes to making movies these days, there's a reason Hollywood buys up all the rights to a number of Korean films, but unfortunately they are just wasting their time remaking these films! The originals are AMAZING, no need to remake them! Same goes for the films coming out of the Scandinavian region, amazing films no need for remakes! The action in this film is some of the best I've seen, as is the storyline, it keeps you on the edge of your seat, and keeps you guessing as to what is really going on. A masterpiece!!!!!!

High octane influx of speedy flows: Engaging visual treat!

[acroking87 · 7/10 · 19 July 2014]

It doesn't let you get off your seat, doesn't give you a chance to wink an eyelid, has a pretty meticulous attention to detail and a serious, no-nonsense fervor several espionage dramas might be devoid of. Based around the communist holocaust expansion intents of DPRK's covert agents embedded in Europe, the story portrays the protagonist a North Korean Spy Jung-woo Ha's journey of transformations in the unsettling backdrop of a Nuke arms deals gone wrong. Woo ha has an equally skilled spy wife involved with playing a double agent with South Korea betraying him amidst a situation of conflict among his commie allies. The revelation later about how the entire failed-deal was a set up to trap him ignites the turnaround to where his retaliation drives him into defecting to the South Korean agencies. This action drama takes turns swiftly until finally acquiring a high adrenaline makeover into an escape and chase sequence of events to finally acquiring a rather sentimental make-up. The climax renders woo Ha lose his wife succumbing to her injuries being shot from his ex-comrade. With the typical commie spices sprinkled throughout, what The Berlin File does differently is to present a very elaborate perspective from the North Korean agent's angle and the story has not been dragged a lot towards the South Korean characters being highlighted in any manner. Espionage tactics and close quarter combat techniques were uniquely impressive and the protagonist spy showcases a very distinguished trait mix of intelligence, stability and escape methods under fire. Although much of the flow goes like a template spy movie, director Seung-wan Ryoo (of 'Crying Fist' acclaim) has managed to put forward a thrilling work which creates a persona of very researched intelligence agency operations and rises above the usual North and South Korea conflict dramas. The plot has a significant twist, although being that peculiar Korean Cinema zealot that I am, I might have expected an even more disturbing twist during the final encounters, to the tune of Joint Security Area or Chaser. All in all, those in the usual purview of the spy-genre should witness what South Korea has grown to, which is nothing short of an Internationally colored, yet dark(ironically enough) canvas of reality presenting cinema. unique propositions to the movie would be precisely detailed modalities, negligible flaws in the script, a very slight yet pleasant drift away from the usual Korean treatment and that 'never-felt-a-moment-that-was-loose' effect!

I don't know what I just saw and it was not good (action scenes superb , though )

[killahdelfin · 3/10 · 15 October 2013]

This film taught me a lesson. Trust the rating more than the reviews. After reading all this positive reviews I really looked forward to see it. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. From the beginning to the end I just stared at the screen with an puzzled , disoriented expression on my face that read : What is going on?!

Trying to hard to be all action-ey and fast paced , Berlin Files doesn't bother to introduce the viewer to the story AT ALL. OK , there is apparently some conspiracy plot going on but everything is so rushed that the legitimate question arises , WHAT actually is rushed. Why are the characters dying , why is this happening , why that?! This case is an example of a film can be ruined with trying to hard to be fast paced. All in all it's style without substance. And in this case it's bad. A conspiracy spy-thriller without substance is just an collection of fight scenes , gunplay and chases. Speaking of which , whoever was responsible for the action is a genius. The 5 stars go entirely to them. The action scenes are so well executed and bombastic , Hollywood has to lie down in a fetus position and cry...

Long story short: If you don't mind watching without knowing what is going on and enjoy superb action-watch it. On the other side , if you like conspiracy thrillers with a good plot-don't waste your precious lifetime.

Best spy action film ever!!

[windryder · 7 February 2013]

just saw it. speechless! Taking Korean action film to the next level. Must see!! I am a big fan of Bourn series and 007 films.but I am not joking. this one is way better the plot and the acting hell of a movie Hope you guys can see it also I wish someday the director guy takes the next 007 film its a hell of a film man seriously. just watch it. whoooo a wtf this review thing! over ten lines? seriously. man Iam not writing a college essay here. give me a break why do i have to fill up all ten lines!! wtf wtf wtf anyway the movie is a masterpiece. none like the other you will be amazed by the escalated level of korean movies. best korean movie since the bittersweet life. wow man korean directors should be in Hollywood.

Writer Dropped the Ball

[AJ_McAninch · 7/10 · 14 December 2021]

It's okay, and the cast of course is prime. Any time the film seems muddled and doesn't fully work with this talent, though, for me it's the writer's responsibility.

This is a very good, thrilling movie as a spy movie.

[sudheeshthulaseedharan · 6/10 · 6 November 2020]

The Berlin File is a Korean crime thriller released in 2013. It was written and directed by Ryu Sung Wan. This action-thriller that had garnered numerous awards and nominations at international film festivals. This is a very good, thrilling movie as a spy movie. North Korea's spy agent Aya Pyo is trying to reach an arms deal with an Arab or Russian group for the country, but the US spy agency ClA, South Korean police and the Israeli spy agency Mossad have intervened to disrupt the sale. But he is deceived and escaped from there. But his identity is revealed. Their attempt to escape from these incidents involving his wife and their predators. After this, Pyo finds out that the North Korean High Commissioner at the embassy and Pyo's wife at the same embassy are trying to seduce him. The film is about what happens next. At first it seemed too complicated to understand the story and then got on track. The plot of the film is so complicated. Apart from the intricacies of the story, the film presents us with a magnificent action thriller. In a single word, "Cheating for wealth and status", that is this film. The film moves very fast from the beginning. Therefore, I did not feel any resentment throughout the film .. There are many twists and turns in the film from time to time. The action scenes are fast enough to really thrill the audience.

finally a worthwhile spy thriller

[alexzhugeliang · 9/10 · 26 April 2017]

I really liked The Berlin File because of different reasons. First of all in the movie we can see agents from different countries such as North Korea, South Korea, the Israeli Mossad, German and American police(the CIA). The main characters are well developed and we can also understand why they behave in a certain way or not. Therefore I am looking forward to watch The Berlin File 2.

nice basic plot with good action scenes

[AvdW · 5/10 · 5 December 2014]

The story and setting is believable enough; the action scenes are also well enough to pass the test. Still, the able Korean cast is put against a 2nd rate European cast which pulls this movie down. The dialog in English and German is just sad; Not speaking Korean, I hope the Korean part was better. There was some nice location and camera work involved. So all in all: bad movie that is entertaining. Do see this movie, but do not expect a masterpiece; just relax and enjoy the action (and keep up with who is who, from where and where). If only they could have contracted a German or American top actor; if only they secured some Berlin money in exchange for some shots of that beautiful city. I smell a Hollywood remake (which will be better).

Very interesting movie

[infosaifulalrashidsaif · 10/10 · 11 September 2020]

Mind blowing movie, i enjoy this movie full time No boring, only twist and twist, so i recommended imdb user's, please watching this movie. #i love korean move #Love from Bangladesh

Hard to follow at first then irritating

[phd_travel · 5/10 · 17 May 2023]

This action thriller filmed in Berlin is irritating. The first half is hard to follow. If I had not read the synopsis it would have been impossible to figure out what was going on. How are you supposed to figure out who is who? CIA North and South Korean Mossad - too much. Bad directing. For a story like this there could have been some letters on screen explaining the identities of the characters when they appeared.

When you figure out what is going on it becomes a chase then hostage situation. The fight scenes are quite exciting.

Gianna Jun is beautiful here. But the ending is so annoying. Why kill her off? Felt like a waste of time. Could have forgiven the convoluted plot if they had a happier ending.

Hard to understand but extremely entertaining

[johnphilips-be · 10/10 · 19 July 2020]

If you don't speak Korean, it will take a while to get used to the names and who is on who's side. Once you do that, this movie is a top notch action flick with super fast fights. Thoroughly entertained all the way. 10/10

Good action Convoluted plot

[EvanKevelson · 4/10 · 6 January 2020]

North Vs South and West vs East & corruption within the North is too many plot points to execute well in 2 hours. My headline surmised my thoughts. The action will keep you hooked on what ends up simply being a disappointment.

TOP CLASS ACTION SPY FLICK

[MadamWarden · 8/10 · 20 October 2020]

This is a seriously good action packed stylish and superbly put together movie.

The plot is extraordinarily complex with double agents, double crosses, multiple spy agencies, multiple bad guy groups and even a good guy and bad guy that look alike. A lot of concentration required amidst really fast past paced action.

A terrific action, adrenaline filled rollercoaster ride. Highly recommend!

Kiosk <2

[westsideschl · 2/10 · 23 March 2014]

Lots of stereotypes perpetuated (bad guys for all of the following): Americans, Arabs; North & South Koreans; Germans. Whatever image you have for each of those groups - don't bother to alter it. Poorly written (difficult to follow) with lots of highly improbable events like different groups from the above all happening to show up at the same obscure spot at the same time; lots of dubious, if not down right dumb decision making (credulity stretching) by members of all those groups just to maintain 90 minutes of film activity. Usual fight scenes and shoot outs that make you go - pleeease, can't you come up with anything creative that hasn't been done in two thousand movies already. Example of an improbable, done before: Woman (with heavy backpack) falls from rooftop and at last second grabs gutter by fingertips with no more effort than if she were polishing her nails. Poorly edited resulting in a jump around, disjointed film. English as second language for most of the actors along with poor enunciation and audio level control (outside of subtitles for the Korean) makes most of the film (80%) difficult/impossible to listen to.

I offer a similar, and much better, Korean movie, "Commitment" as a substitute.