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Amazon.co.uk Review
A dazzling action movie from South Korea, Shiri follows two South Korean government agents, Ryu and Lee, as they pursue a female super-assassin from North Korea. Meanwhile, an elite paramilitary squad from North Korea has stolen a shipment of CTX, an undetectable liquid explosive of enormous power, which they've planted all over the city of Seoul. As their investigations are successively foiled, Ryu and Lee begin to suspect that there is a mole within the ranks of the agency--and it may be one of them. Both hyperstylish and hyperrealistic, Shiri rips along as a smooth fusion of Hong Kong and American action movies. Ryu's troubled romance with his alcoholic fiancée adds a striking emotional counterpoint to the blazing gunfights and high-speed chases; the ending is unexpectedly moving. It's not surprising that this film beat Titanic's box-office records in Korea. --Bret Fetzer
DVD Description
South Korean agents Ryu and Lee are tracking a female assassin from North Korea who has mysteriously disappeared. With new killings and the theft of deadly bomb, time is running out to catch her before the North Vs South football match in the heart of Seoul. But how can you capture an assassin who’s a mistress of disguise? Will this threaten Ryu’s wedding to the sensual Hyun or is she hiding a darker secret even from the man she loves?
An award-winning action film and a big hit in America, Shiri delves deeper into the psychological realms of loyalty and love as well as the politically explosive arena of Korea.. Korea’s answer to Nikita and Die Hard.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
After many years of watching 'World Cinema' it is films like this that make you realise why Western cinema feels so hollow.
In many ways, this could be seen as an Eastern take on stereotypical Hollywood blockbuster, or a Michael Mann film, yet it excels over its original inspiration.
One thing Korean films have in abundance is emotion, films driven by heart, and this film is no exception. I was expecting this to be something similar to a Hollywood blockboster so had been procrastinating for quite a while before seeing it and I was pleasantly surprised by the film. I was utterly compelled throughout and it builds to a very emotional climax towards the end. A beautiful and remarkable film that crosses many genres like to Old Boy or Save The Green Planet.
Granted, there are a few clichéd generic action film moments (the countdown to an exploding bomb being a very guilty example) but, in short, if you want a film that is as full of emotion as it is action, then I can thoroughly recommend this.
In many ways, this could be seen as an Eastern take on stereotypical Hollywood blockbuster, or a Michael Mann film, yet it excels over its original inspiration.
One thing Korean films have in abundance is emotion, films driven by heart, and this film is no exception. I was expecting this to be something similar to a Hollywood blockboster so had been procrastinating for quite a while before seeing it and I was pleasantly surprised by the film. I was utterly compelled throughout and it builds to a very emotional climax towards the end. A beautiful and remarkable film that crosses many genres like to Old Boy or Save The Green Planet.
Granted, there are a few clichéd generic action film moments (the countdown to an exploding bomb being a very guilty example) but, in short, if you want a film that is as full of emotion as it is action, then I can thoroughly recommend this.
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I thought this film was excellent. To understand this film and get the most out of it you need to know about Korean history and people. The story is plausible (certainly by Hollywood's standards) and the action and set pieces belie the low budget. The character of the assassin Hee/Hyun symbolises the divided Korean peninsula and Korean people's attitudes towards each other. While there is division, there is still great love, and regret. This film tries to put that in context. The fact that the event of the film is a football match between the two Koreas, and that the leaders shake hands in the movie, expresses what many Koreans wish for - a peaceful and amicable reunification.
Setting aside the story, the cinematography and tense pace of the film are electric. Korean films are individual, and like their people, culture and food, a somewhat acquired taste. However, those that persevere will be well rewarded.
I would also recommend Memories of Murder, Old Boy, Chihwaseon and Public Enemy as excellent examples of contemporary Korean cinema.
Setting aside the story, the cinematography and tense pace of the film are electric. Korean films are individual, and like their people, culture and food, a somewhat acquired taste. However, those that persevere will be well rewarded.
I would also recommend Memories of Murder, Old Boy, Chihwaseon and Public Enemy as excellent examples of contemporary Korean cinema.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The basic storyline is that two of South Korea's top agents get wind of a plot involving an arms dealer and a known North Korean assassin. The investigate and quickly find out that a top secret explosive is involved. From then on it's a race against the clock to stop whatever plans the North Koreans have hatched.
There's romance in the form of the story of one of the agent's up coming marriage to a fish shop owner. The end is extremely touching and I was close to tears myself (quite an admission coming from a man).
The film mixes action, drama and romance. As a fusion between 3 genres, the film cannot, really, be compared to other films. The extra features are well worth looking at. One thing to bear in mind if you decide to watch the "Making of" documentary -- only key portions are subtitled in English. :(
I whole-heartedly recommend this film to people who like the above genres. It may be two hours long but, believe me, it feels a lot shorter.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
shiri.my review
i bought this film as i had seen a clip on another dvd, i wasnt disappointed it has plenty of action & shoot outs, if you like cini asia this film is for u, i was goin to tell you... Read more
Published 10 months ago by stacy lee
A love story ...with guns.
The film beings in a frenetic and bloody way with images of war and ultra-violence. This serves as a montage depicting the extreme training of a female soldier, we even see her... Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2009 by GeekZilla
Copycats!
This film created a commotion in South Korea when it debuted cuz it demonstrated to the audience that the Koreans can make a high-octane action flick just like Hollywood or Hong... Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2009 by J. A. Eyon
Well worth a Watch.
I think the reason this film gets some bad reviews, is occasionally people cant be bothered to read subtitles all the way through, which is their fault, not the films. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2008 by Ross Symonds
Better than Hollywood movies!
For those of you claiming this movie is an attempt at a American movie in Korean, you are wrong. And to say this is a poor replica of Hollywood movies is saying Hollywood is the... Read more
Published on 11 May 2007 by Mr. S. Yau
No where near as good as I was expecting
Just to support the more negative reviews here. This film is simply a poor hollywood style movie with no edge like films such as bittersweet life and old boy. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2007 by Shun Yao
Die Hard with Subtitles
I have been exploring the many delights of Korean Cinema lately. Shiri came highly rated and sounded interesting from the synopsis. Read more
Published on 1 May 2006 by Mr. T. J. Kelly
Disappointing
Saw my first Korean movie a few weeks back, Brotherhood or Tae Guk Gi and it was super. That and great reviews here built up expectations so I ordered a copy from amazon. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2006 by Gisli Jokull Gislason
Superb! Plays on Every Emotion
This is the first Korean film I have ever seen and it wont be the last. It is a long time since I had such an emotional rollercoaster ride whilst watching a film. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2006 by gilmo1917
A masterpiece of Korean cinema
I was excited about having a chance to watch this movie; after all, Shiri became South Korea's most successful and most-watched film of all time, surpassing even the mighty... Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2004 by Daniel Jolley
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