Version: Original Korean cut, R3 Korean DVD, Korean audio and English subtitles.
'Nowhere to Hide' is one of those all style and no substance Korean action films that is destined to be played in the SBS cult-movie slot. In saying that, I'm actually around two years late: it already played once as an SBS cult-movie about two years ago. However, after watching it for a second time on DVD, it doesn't seem as awesome as it did two years ago. It's unfortunate really, because I'm all about awesome.
Woo (Joong-Hoon Park) is a rather unorthodox detective, paired with Detective (Kim Dong-Kun Jang) investigating a murder. The main suspect is Sungmin (Sung-kee Ahn), an apparent master of disguise. Being the unorthodox detective that he is Woo, tries to track down Sungmin by abusing other suspects and sleeping in the homes of people close Sungmin. Funny how no one thought to report him.
Somehow, 'Nowhere to Hide' manages to drag out an incredibly thin plot to almost two hours. It really is a case of all style and little to no substance. I'll admit that it is visually stunning, but why? 'Why?' is something that has not yet been explained to me, and at first glance, none of the IMDb comments seem to answer why either. It is almost as if director Myung-se Lee decided he was going to make a cop-thriller that was long and filled with pretty pictures, but yet had no point.
As an action movie it is entertaining, but nothing special. It is funny at times, but the action and humour just can't seem to keep up the interest for the full 112 minutes. I hate to admit that it even becomes a bit of bore and some points. I guess I should have watched the shortened international version.
Anyone who thinks 'Matrix: Revolutions' borrowed from this film should really check out 'Volcano High' - the end in particular. I know 'Nowhere to Hide' borrowed music from Sergio Leone's 'Once Upon a Time in the West', as well as featuring Korean rock and the BeeGees.
'Nowhere to Hide' is entertaining, but too long for it's own good. It should still appeal to fans of Asian action movies, but I was not impressed - 6/10
'Nowhere to Hide' is one of those all style and no substance Korean action films that is destined to be played in the SBS cult-movie slot. In saying that, I'm actually around two years late: it already played once as an SBS cult-movie about two years ago. However, after watching it for a second time on DVD, it doesn't seem as awesome as it did two years ago. It's unfortunate really, because I'm all about awesome.
Woo (Joong-Hoon Park) is a rather unorthodox detective, paired with Detective (Kim Dong-Kun Jang) investigating a murder. The main suspect is Sungmin (Sung-kee Ahn), an apparent master of disguise. Being the unorthodox detective that he is Woo, tries to track down Sungmin by abusing other suspects and sleeping in the homes of people close Sungmin. Funny how no one thought to report him.
Somehow, 'Nowhere to Hide' manages to drag out an incredibly thin plot to almost two hours. It really is a case of all style and little to no substance. I'll admit that it is visually stunning, but why? 'Why?' is something that has not yet been explained to me, and at first glance, none of the IMDb comments seem to answer why either. It is almost as if director Myung-se Lee decided he was going to make a cop-thriller that was long and filled with pretty pictures, but yet had no point.
As an action movie it is entertaining, but nothing special. It is funny at times, but the action and humour just can't seem to keep up the interest for the full 112 minutes. I hate to admit that it even becomes a bit of bore and some points. I guess I should have watched the shortened international version.
Anyone who thinks 'Matrix: Revolutions' borrowed from this film should really check out 'Volcano High' - the end in particular. I know 'Nowhere to Hide' borrowed music from Sergio Leone's 'Once Upon a Time in the West', as well as featuring Korean rock and the BeeGees.
'Nowhere to Hide' is entertaining, but too long for it's own good. It should still appeal to fans of Asian action movies, but I was not impressed - 6/10