Extreme Job (2019) [Film Review]

Extreme Job; or, Fry Hard
     What’s the point of working so hard if we can’t even eat properly?
This time, I decided to watch an action comedy flick Extreme Job, directed by Lee Byeong Hun. As of 2019, the movie holds the record of the second most viewed production in the history of South Korean cinema. It was inspired by a Chinese production Lobster Cop from 2018.

Release Info

Directed by: Lee Byung Hun Starring: Ryu Seung Ryong, Lee Ha Nee, Jin Seon Kyu

Language: Korean Original Title: 극한직업 Runtime: 110 min

Synopsis
Captain Ko (Ryu Seung Ryong) is the leader of a narcotics team composed of skilled, yet hot-headed police officers. After committing a major blunder during the arrest, the team is given the last chance to save their faces by conducting an undercover surveillance of an international drug gang. For their stakeout base, they choose a chicken restaurant that is on the verge of bankruptcy. Convinced that there won’t be lots of customers, the policemen buy the restaurant. Unexpectedly, their recipe for a rib marinade becomes a hit and hungry customers begin to storm the restaurant...

Cook up the Police
Well, Extreme Job is a pleasant, happy-go-lucky comedy of mistakes that thrives on character chemistry and situational gags. The best way to describe the film is to call it a mix between John Badham’s Stakeout (1987) and Michael Hui’s Chicken and Duck Talk (1988). I am pleasantly surprised that South Korean filmmakers are warming up to such classic styles of comedy.

In my opinion, the only disadvantage of the film is the confusing second act which directs the heroes by mere coincidence onto the bad guys and their schemes. Apart from that, it is hilarious to watch Captain Ko and his men struggling to do their job while keeping the crowds of customers happy.

As expected from a Korean production, the action aspect does not disappoint as welll because we get some great fight sequences, especially in the film’s great finale. (I got that A Better Tomorrow reference!)

With regard to performances, Ryu Seung Ryong does a great job as the team’s leader. I think that he could easily play Golgo 13 in the live-action adaptation (he looks totally like this comic book character). My praise also goes to Lee Hanee as Detective Jang. She kicked ass the female member of the team. In addition, it was great to see Shin Ha Kyun as the villain yet again (*The Villainess flashbacks*).

Recommendations
I highly recommend Extreme Job if you want to lighten up your mood. It is a decent comedy with action elements. As of 2022, apart from a Region A Blu-ray, the movie is also available on Amazon Prime. I thought that it is on Netflix as well, but I could not track it down there.

Overall score: 8/10

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