A Parallel Planets piece by Unknown
Parallel Planets presents Oldeuboi
in Polar Projections: Old Versus New
Film Review by KB Meniado
Mentioned: film remakes, out-of-this-world storylines, and gut punches
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It is easy to understand why Oldboy loyalists shun Spike Lee’s 2013 remake: it is unnecessary. Let’s be honest, I bet you didn’t even know there was one until you clicked this open.
But that’s not to say the entire thing was a shame because, you know, just a couple. So in the spirit of badass-ness, let’s watch this ’03 versus ’13 battle commence from the ringside.
Not much was changed story-wise. One night, an alcoholic businessman gets kidnapped without explanation and spends his time (15 or 20 years, same difference) in solitary confinement, beefing himself up for his plan of revenge.
But while Park Chan-wook’s cult classic continued the mindfuckery of messing with Oh Dae-su’s (played by Choi Min-sik) life even after the bloody encounter, Spike Lee ends it all with a diamond-blinged runaway Joe Doucett (played by Josh Brolin).
Score: ’03 = 1 / ’13 = zero
Round 2 – The Look
Having captured the I-feel-sick-to-my-stomach guarantee shot in living color, the new Oldboy almost had it. But let’s mull over this, what does OldBoy bring into mind? Eating a live octopus and insane single-shot hammer fight, right? And what did we have in the new one? Why, an octopus in a tank and a less claustrophobia-inducing action sequence.
Score: ’03 = 2 / ’13 = zilch
The burden of reading subtitles may have been lifted but when the cast does not seem to own their characters, what even is the point? We commend Sharlto Copley for trying as Adrian/The Stranger, but Yoo Ji-Tae’s portrayal of the vengeful and disturbing Lee Woo-jin still wins all the awards.
Score: ’03 = 3 / ’13 = nada
Remakes always present a challenge but in this case, it’s a knockout. Park Chan-wook's version wins.
