What Is the Story About?
Han Ji-hoon (Park Hae-soo) is a daring prosecutor who is demoted for taking on a giant corporation. After wasting a lot of time in a useless department, he gets an opportunity to take on a bigger assignment. The director (Jin Kyung) asks Haan Ji-hoon to go to Shenyang, China and gather on-ground information about Ji Kang-in (Sol Kyung-gu) and report.
With zero knowledge of the real motive, Haan Ji-hoon jumps in to take the job. Who is Ji Kang-in, and why does tracking him endanger Haan Ji-hoon’s life? What are the unexpected situations he lands in? What happens, in the end, is the movie’s primary storyline.
Performances?
Park Hae-soo and Sol Kyung-gu are the movie’s main leads, irrespective of the length. They have well-defined parts, and both do justice to them. After a point, the main narrative runs on the character’s conflict. They do a neat of highlighting the difference and staying strong on their respective side.
Park Hae-soo playing a daring yet weak (physically) guy of the duo is perfect. He is responsible for bringing minor relief to the proceedings with his act. He doesn’t do comedy, but the situation he lands in generates fun.
On the other hand, Sol Kyung-gu is the action hero of the duo. He kicks, shoots and throws punches with ease. There is also the mentoring aspect which he does well. However, the role doesn’t offer real emotional depth to the character even though it’s tried in parts.
Analysis
Hyun Na directs Yaksha: Ruthless Operations. It is a spy thriller cum drama with the backdrop of law. It does take time to get in the zone and later gets into an action zone, as well.
The movie begins on a random note with killing and an elaborate chase sequence. What follows next makes the whole thing confusing and convoluted. The same issues continue through the rest of the narrative.
The lawyer track and the conflict with a rich person handling a business take us in a different direction altogether at the start. The actual movie is about spies, and many are at loggerheads with each other.
Yaksha: Ruthless Operations is interesting when we get to the actual story. The core mystery related to the spies and the backdrop is intriguing. However, the many threads and the direction in which the movie turns make the whole thing look convoluted. Too much content is packed in a short duration.
It is why a little above two hours runtime movie gives the feeling of watching a lengthy film of over three hours. The many characters and messy story, which tries hard to balance thrills and action, feels way overlong. A web series would have been ideal for the many ideas and plot points seen in the narrative.
However, things get simpler as the movie enters the climax portions. It moves into a plain action movie zone with a clear protagonist and antagonist defined. They head for a face-off leading to the inevitable battle and the end.
Overall, Yaksha: Ruthless operations has a convoluted story that offers engaging portions and twists in parts. It is a decent watch if one loves the genre and gives it a chance with all of their focus on it.
Other Artists?
Hiroyuki Ikeuchi playing the villain is alright. His role starts off well, and he overcomes his looks to have a menacing presence. However, a weakly written part doesn’t let him shine when it matters. Lee Soo-kyung is alright in a limited role. She has a couple of crucial scenes with a scope to act, and it is done well. The character of the pick-up guy is well designed with a twist. He is good at it. The rest includes the gang, who are okay.
Music and Other Departments?
The background score is alright for an action fare. It is nothing remarkable in particular but works as long as it lasts. The cinematography could have been better, given the scope of the space. The colours are good, but the making lacks the grand vibe. Editing is alright in parts. Since there is too much content crammed into the narrative, there is a chaotic vibe from time to time. The writing is par for the course of a regular action thriller.
Highlights?
Lead Actors
Pre-Climax
Story, In Parts
Drawbacks?
Convoluted Drama
Chaotic Narrative
Too Many Characters
Routine Action
Weak Villain Characterisation
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, In Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Reservations
Yaksha: Ruthless Operations Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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