The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008) [Film Review]

The Good, the Bad, the Weird; or, Once Upon a Time in Korea

     I'll tell you a big secret about that map. You know what it says? “Treasure, Buried, Dig up, Large volumes”. That's what it says on it! It's a treasure map! So you and me can go find it! If there's a treasure, we split it 60-40. Me 60, you 40. How 'bout it? That's how you make a deal, man!

This week I would like to take a look at a cool film which I have recently checked out. I’m embarrassed to say that I hadn’t known what kind of awesome gem I was holding in my hands until the opening sequence rolled in. Let’s talk about Kim Jee Woon’s The Good, the Bad, the Weird from 2008.

Release Info

Directed by: Kim Jee Woon Starring: Song Kang Ho, Jung Woo Sung, Lee Byung Hun

Language: Korean Original Title:좋은 놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈 Runtime: 136 min

 

Synopsis

Manchuria, year 1939. A professional hitman called Park Chang Yi [the Bad] (Lee Byung Hun) is hired to retrieve a map from a Japanese official travelling by train. However, before he gets his chance to do so after stopping the train, the map has already been stolen from the official by a thief known as Yoon Tae Goo [the Weird] (Song Kang Ho). What is more, Park Do Won [the Good] (Jung Woo Sung), an excellent marksman and a bounty hunter, appears on the scene to hunt down Park Chang Yi. The three men get entangled in a bloody pursuit after the map that allegedly leads to riches buried in the desert by the Qing Dynasty. In addition, it is also sought by the Manchurian bandits and the Japanese Imperial Army. Who will find the treasure and stay alive? Sit back and watch this spaghetti western made in Korea.

For a Fistful of Wons

First of all, I’m amazed that I have not heard anything about this movie for so long. I stumbled across it by complete accident while flicking through Song Kang Ho’s filmography. Then, fortunately, Polish dvd was available within reach. Connect the two and I was in for an experience which could be described as the kick-ass mash-up of Sergio Leone, Mad Max, and Indiana Jones.

From the very first action sequence we get sucked into the action as Song Kang Ho’s character is rushing through the train carriages and the bullets are flying in all directions. The movie relies heavily on the style of spaghetti western, but it is not afraid to stray away from the inspiring genre in order to achieve other means. Rather than ripping off the classic with Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, and Lee Van Cleef, it pays homage to its father picture and other movies by blending intense camera work with up-beat music, practical effects, massive shootouts, blood, and explosions.

 

Director Kim Jee Woon created a cult film in every sense of the word; yet, it did not receive the attention it deserved outside of South Korea. My response to this: shame! The Good, the Bad, the Weird is a brilliant roller-coaster of ridiculous fun (and with a great cast!). Additionally, the search for a hidden treasure is a sure-fire premise for an intense adventure.

 

Speaking about the cast, all three main actors shine in their respective roles. Jung Woo Sung is excellent as Clint Eastwood-like cowboy claiming bounty on people who act above the law. Song Kang Ho, on the other hand, is the most memorable as the weird-ish thief/scoundrel with his two pistols and a flight cap with goggles. Jung Woo Sung does an outstanding job with playing a bad guy as he’s mercifully menacing in every scene in which he appears, yet at certain times, he seems to overdo things a bit.

 

Talking about the action in details would consume the space of a whole another review, so I will just limit myself to say that there are lots and lots of gripping moments. The definite icing on the cake is the 11-minute-long (yeah, I counted) chase scene which, in my opinion, is close second to the greatest chase of all time from Mad Max: Fury Road. It is sheer awesomeness and every kid’s dream about living the adventure encapsulated in the impetuous race through the desert. It is a must see!

 

The alternative cut...

As with many international releases of Asian movies, obviously, The Good, the Bad, the Weird had to suffer the butchering as well. Approximately 7 minutes were cut out of the picture. The cuts mainly involve shortened sequences, but the whole ending was changed as well. In the original uncut ending, we see the Weird and the Good survive the standoff, while the international version implies that the three protagonists killed off each other... Why does the distributor have to make everything so downbeat? Anyways, if you don't have the full copy of the film, you can watch the original ending here.

 

Recommendations

Highly recommended to anyone who wants to feel some action and adventure in the Asian setting. You can freely suspend your disbelief and enjoy the film for its entertainment value. This movie desires more love and recognition than it gets. In other words, The Good, the Bad, the Weird guarantee a well spent Saturday afternoon. It is a well made (Korean) Western indeed.

Overall score: 9/10