What Is the Story About?
In the 1980s, when the military dictatorship reached its peak in South Korea, KCIA Foreign Unit chief Park Pyong-ho and Domestic Unit chief Kim Jung-do are working together in Washington D.C., protecting the president. A sniper assassination attempt against the President shakes the KCIA and the director of KCIA informs Park and Kim about a North Korean spy within the organisation, known as Donglim. Initially Kim and Park decide to take the chance together, but things turn sour post the failure of an operation in Tokyo. After a long investigation, both Kim and Park uncover each other’s reality. It’s a cat and mouse game since then.
Performances?
Lee Jung-jae who is also the director of Hunt gives an astounding and unassuming performance. In fact when the writing goes haywire, its his act that holds the film and the audience’ inquisitiveness intact. Jung Woo-sung plays a role that fits him like a glove but his character is very vaguely moulded.
Analysis
Hunt, that marks actor Lee Jung-jae’s directorial debut is a spy action thriller that doesn’t give the audience much of a breather for most of its duration, is packed with twists and turns and toys with the audience preconceptions wisely while also occasionally struggling to flesh out a well round character arc for its main protagonists. While the film doesn’t make or break grounds in the genre, it gives a sneak-peek at two veteran superstars going all guns blazing at each other and that itself is so much fun.
Hunt is based in the 80s, when military dictatorship was at its peak in South Korea. There were frequent student uprisings in South Korea and United States against the US sponsored military activities and sanctions at civilians. While it takes some time to get equipped with South Korea’s political standing back then, proceedings pick up pace steadily. However, for the audience unversed with South Korea’s history(especially during the Cold War), the Korean War and United States involvement in it, getting into the crux of the conflict Hunt deals with could be quite a task.
Hunt places its major protagonists KCIA Foreign Unit chief Park Pyong-ho and Domestic Unit chief Kim Jung-do on a mission to protect the President on whom multiple assassination attempts have already been made. Both officers have a history with each other and during their pursuit to expose Donglim, the infamous North Korean Spy they begin to discover and sling dirt on each other. Akin to all films that fall in this genre, it’s a cat and mouse game that follows.
What’s appreciable about Hunt is that it defies expectations and assumptions. You’d at one moment decode everything, only to be taken aback by the revelations that follow. Hunt poses why’s and how’s over who’s. Throughout the run-time, Hunt manages to keep the curious cat in you alive.
However, the fulcrum of Hunt is Lee Jung-jae : the actor. Even when the screenplay falls out of steam, Lee Jung-jae’s measured and unassuming act holds your attention together. The director in him also packs a few distinct punches with some well shot action blocks like the Tokyo operation and Climactic sequence.
Not to forget how finding easter-egg cameos in Hunt is a whole joyous experience altogether. The main protagonists and offscreen friends Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo-sung share amazing onscreen chemistry as well. Precisely, Hunt is a taut and formulaic spy thriller that’d give you a good time. It does have its own flaws, falls prey to many cliches, but it does entertain.
Other Artists?
One of the most prominent driving factors of Hunt is it’s supporting cast and cameos. Many big shot names from Korean Cinema like Hwang Jung-min, Kim Nam-gil, Ju Ji-hoon, Park Sung-woong and Lee Sung-min make surprising cameos. Although none of the roles are big, it’s joyous to watch all of them in a single film. Jeon Hye-jin also gives a noteworthy performance as agent Bang Joo-kyung. Heo Sung-tae has a smaller role but leaves an impact. So does Go Yoon-jung who indeed is a revelation of sorts.
Music and Other Departments?
Lee Mo-gae’s cinematography fits the mood-board of the genre quite well. The colouring and lighting of Hunt aligns with most Korean historical spy-thrillers. Jo Yeong-wook’s music and score lends enough amount of tension to the narrative when it slips. However, it’s reminiscent of every other average Korean Spy thriller and no grounds were broken.
Highlights?
Action Set-pieces
Twists
Lee Jung-jae’s performance
Supporting cast
Drawbacks?
Overstretched second half
Convoluted Political Setting
Falls prey to cliches
Under-utilised cameos
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, Definitely
Hunt Movie Review by Binged Bureau