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SHIRI
(1999)
A.K.A.
- Swiri
Reviewed
by Phil Mills
For
a foreign film to break into the international market it
really has to offer something exceptional to prove itself
worthy of your average movie goer sitting through what they
consider the "hassle" of subtitles or poor dubbing.
'Shiri' is just one of those movies that is starting to
receive widespread release (and an international DVD release)
thanks to it's refreshing approach to the genre of action
films that includes a glance into the internal conflicts in
Korea accompanied by the much sort after ingredient known as a
plot!
When
an infamous female sniper assassinates one of the biggest arms
smugglers in South Korea, Special Agents Ryu and Lee are
called in to try and uncover her motives. Around the
same time, a large quantity of a newly developed liquid
explosive is stolen and all clues seem to indicate a possible
connection. As the situation begins to unfold it becomes
clear that a North Korean terrorist force is responsible but
they seem to anticipate the Police's every move, making it
even harder for our heroes to get any kind of foothold on the
case. Will Ryu and Lee be able to locate the explosive
before something goes bang or will the sniper get to them
first?
It's
always obvious from the beginning that 'Shiri' really wants to
get it's point across in regards to the differences between
North and South Korea by showing the divide in such a
prominent way (mainly via the economic differences).
This approach could so easily have polluted the movie with
political rantings but thankfully it never becomes too
congested by it's arguments. Maybe this is down to the
thorough grooming that it was given by the Korean government
so as not to appear proactive towards either territory or
maybe it's the subtle style of directing from Kang Je Gyu but
whatever it is, you do come away with an understanding of the
reasoning for both sides' involvement. This, for me, is
the most effective area of the movie as it really offers an
insight to the country's dilemma without ever having to pummel
you with long winded facts and figures which is an incredible
accomplishment in itself.
The
actors on display also demonstrate a sign of big things to
come from the rising Korean film industry with a collection of
top notch performances from a cast of relative unknowns to
people new to the film market, such as myself.
Lead actor Han Suk Kyu is completely believable in his
typified genre role of a cop on the edge whilst his partner,
Choi Min Sik, shows signs of a man who has been the game for a
while and is spot on with everything he does. For the
action, it's noticeable that 'Shiri' has had many inspirations
('Hit
Team' and 'Purple
Storm' spring to mind) but it brings it's own ambiance to
each sequence and offers up an excitement all of it's own.
Most of the gunplay hinges on the film's core idea of realism
with plenty of blood but no room for the kind of bullet ballet
that we have come to expect from today's Woo inspired
choreography and (amazingly enough) the main characters also
have the brains to bring back up! This comes in the form
of a very professional Special Forces Unit which adds a nice
degree of background distraction whilst we follow the 'Saving
Private Ryan' handheld camera movement towards our heroes'
intended targets.
All
in all, what I really liked about 'Shiri' the most was the
complete package that it offers. It successfully manages
to blend several much seen genres to create a film that comes
across as a more stylish and meaningful movie than anything
Hollywood is churning out at this time. On the evidence
of this it would appear that Korea is very capable of bringing
some real heavyweights to the big screen and, with similar
international recognition from films like 'Bichunmoo' and 'Musa',
hopefully these are only the beginnings of another thriving
movie industry that will offer audiences an alternative
cultural slant.
Rating:
 
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